Ismael's "Veil" is acrylic and screenprinting on wood panel
When Stacy Pearsall took on ownership of the Charleston Center for Photography this year, she knew it was more than just another job. The two-time National Press Photographers Association Military Photographer of the Year Award-winner saw a need in the community for youth programs, outreach classes, and art therapy for disabled veterans.
“My reason for taking it over wasn’t to make hoards of money,” says Pearsall. “Any profit is turned back into the community. We have free exhibits for young photographers. Whatever the Center doesn’t cover is paid from my own pocket.”
Pearsall’s concern for the community meant that local photographers and businesses rallied around her in September when she announced that the CCforP was struggling financially. Without additional contributions from its customers, the seven-year-old Center would be forced to close.
The day he heard the news, Sean Ferneau started speaking to Pearsall about what could be done. “She’s trying to do something new,” Ferneau, the gallery director of Aster Hall on King Street, says. “She’s trying to appeal to a broad base of artists without many resources, making her time and equipment readily available to them.”
Recognizing a kindred spirit, Ferneau began to plan a benefit show at his gallery.
With the reality of small business owners struggling in South Carolina, the art director of Aster Hall is stepping in the void to host a fundraiser to help save The Charleston Center for Photography.
Aster Hall Contemporary Art Space visualizes the potential of The Charleston Center for Photography (CCforP) and the future of Charleston’s emerging, non-traditional art scene.
Sean Ferneau, art director of Aster Hall, responded to Stacy Pearsall’s cry for help when the CCforP declared an emergency need for donations and contributions from previous customers and the general public.
“Stacy provides professional training to photographers throughout the Southeast. She dedicates her life to providing a platform for struggling artists in Charleston,” says Ferneau. Without the recent contributions from supporters of CCofP, the landmark educational center would have had to shut it’s doors.
“After I reached out to the public, not even an hour passed of the email being sent out when Sean Ferneau bursted through the doors of CCforP and declared a fundraiser would be held at Aster Hall,” says Pearsall. “It was an emotional experience for me and for all of us at the CCforP. Knowing we have the support of small local business owners means that we may be able to fight this and keep the doors open to future artists, locally and regionally,” explained Pearsall.