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Sculpture in the South Annual Fine Sculpture Show

Heron in the Sun by Darrell DavisOne of the south's most popular international events, Sculpture in the South takes place each year in May, at Summerville's beautiful Azalea Park. The 2009 event will mark the 11th year for the exhibition and sale which features more than 35 sculptors juried from across the country. Many of the artists participating have earned national and international recognition and awards (including sculpture in the permanent collection of Buckingham Palace).

One of the reasons for the event's popularity is the up-close-and-personal contact with the event's top sculptors. All of the sculptors are on site all weekend, to chat with visitors and discuss their inspirations for their work. You'll have the opportunity to watch the artists working, demonstrating their unique processes and techniques for sculpting. You'll find sculpture with a broad range of subjects from cowboys to confederate generals, ballet dancers to mythical characters, abstract forms to exotic animals.

Sculpture in the South was created to promote sculpture through education and through the creation of a permanent sculpture collection that enhances Summerville, South Carolina's public spaces. Since 1999, proceeds from the event have enabled Summerville to purchase and install 18 pieces of bronze sculpture. Those include "Toby" the retriever near the park bench, the baseball field's "Dreamin' of the Big Game," "The Garden" at Town Square, "Everyday Heroes," at Town Hall and the latest installation, "Free Ride" the life-size hippo in the pond at Shepard Park.

In addition to fine works of art, interaction with renown artists, great food and shopping abound in Summerville!

"Free Ride" is a life-size hippo sculpture protruding above the surface of the pond, with a bird perched on the hippo's backside. The bird is a Purple Gallinule, native to both the southeast U.S. and to southern Africa. Shepard Park, located at the intersection of Parkwood Drive and Simmons Avenue, includes a small tot lot, gazebo, and a walking trail with a small bridge crossing the pond. "Free Ride" will be visible throughout the park and by joggers and drivers on Parkwood. "Free Ride" is the creation of artist Paul Rhymer, who became a sculptor through his work as a taxidermist and model maker at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. Rhymer has participated since 2002 at the annual Sculpture in the South show in Azalea Park.

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Peninsula Grill has been likened to the cosmopolitan supper clubs of the first half of the 20th century. Haute cuisine and high spirits. Steaks and chops, fish and oysters, champagne and lobster. And proper cocktails, served with style each evening by chef/partner Robert Carter and staff. The atmosphere is sophisticated and clubby, not formal. One of only two Mobil four-star restaurants in the state.
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A great home is nice, but a great neighborhood is extraordinary. Visit any of our award winning communities. Take a walk, talk to those who live there and you’ll understand why people feel at home and why those who visit want to stay. The architecture embraces you. The trees offer shade. And the streets have texture. The result is a sense of wonder and an irresistible urge to park your car and walk.
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