Artisphere and ArtFields Champion Southern Artists While Fueling Local Economies in Greenville and Lake City

Two leading arts organizations in South Carolina are redefining the cultural landscape while simultaneously transforming their communities through substantial economic development. Artisphere in Greenville and ArtFields in Lake City are proving that the arts can be more than just inspiring—they can be economically catalytic, creating jobs, drawing tourists, revitalizing downtowns, and putting Southern artists on the national stage.

Together, these two festivals are shining a spotlight on the creative excellence rooted in the region and turning art into a sustainable, long-term driver of growth.

Artisphere: Elevating Greenville’s Creative Economy

Founded in 2003, Artisphere has grown into one of the top-rated arts festivals in the country. Held each May in downtown Greenville, the three-day event draws over 100,000 visitors annually and is a cornerstone of the city’s cultural identity. In 2024, the festival generated a record-breaking $14.1 million in economic impact, according to a report by Artisphere and VisitGreenvilleSC.

This juried fine arts festival features more than 140 visual artists from across the country, including a strong representation from the Carolinas. The event’s curated Artist Row is complemented by live music, dance performances, culinary arts, and interactive exhibits that appeal to families and art collectors alike.

“Over the past two decades, what started as a vision to create a nationally recognized Fine Arts Festival has blossomed into a cherished institution,” stated Artisphere Chair, Jennifer McClure. “In its 20th year, Artisphere was honored as USA TODAY’s #1 Art Festival. This success is made possible by the dedication of volunteers, sponsors, and arts partners, who help us bring fresh and innovative programming that celebrates the diverse voices and talents shaping our artistic community. From visual arts and live performances to community outreach and educational initiatives, we continually strive to expand Artisphere’s reach in ways that inspire, challenge, and unite.”

ArtFields: Small Town, Big Impact in Lake City

In Lake City, a rural town of just over 6,000 residents, ArtFields has become a nationally recognized arts competition and festival that has revitalized the local economy and redefined the town’s identity. Launched in 2013, ArtFields turns the entire community into a gallery for nine days each spring, with art displayed in cafes, barbershops, warehouses, and formal galleries.

The event offers over $100,000 in prize money, including a coveted $50,000 Grand Prize, and is open exclusively to artists from the 12 Southeastern states. The dual judging system—where public votes and a jury of art professionals determine prizes—empowers both artists and attendees to create a uniquely democratic and engaging experience. To date, over $1 million has been awarded to artists through these cash prizes. In addition to the adult visual art competition, ArtFields Jr. engages the next generation of artistic talent by offering a student art competition open to South Carolina artists in grades 1-12.

Now a year-round arts destination, complete with three professional galleries, a robust youth program, artist studios and more, ArtFields creates direct and indirect revenue to the region annually. Local hotels, restaurants, and shops report significant increases in business, and the festival has inspired year-round cultural investment both from ArtFields and other independent organizations.

“ArtFields started as an idea to give Southern artists a bigger platform, but it’s become something even bigger for Lake City,” said Roberta Burns, Marketing Manager for ArtFields. “It’s not just about the art—it’s about building pride, opportunity, and economic strength through creative expression.”

A Shared Vision: Culture as a Cornerstone of Community Revitalization

While different in scale and setting, Artisphere and ArtFields share a powerful ethos: the belief that art can—and should—play a central role in shaping the future of Southern communities. Both organizations serve as incubators for local talent, attracting collectors, tourists, and media attention.

And they share more than just their ethos–these two festivals often share some of the same talented artists. Jonathan Bolton, an artist from Simpsonville, SC is one of these artists who will hop from Lake City to Greenville on this spring art festival circuit. His piece “Kindle” was on display in Sip Co. in Lake City, SC April 25 – May 3. Then from May 9 – 11, he’ll be featured as an Emerging Festival Artist in Booth 128 at Artisphere.

Bolton’s drawing practice centers on observational drawing and sketching from life. He recontextualizes these observations by altering forms and embedding subjects within dense fields of graphite marks. Figures and spaces drawn from his everyday experiences infuse his work with a sense of home, memory, nostalgia, and routine.

Bolton earned his BFA from Winthrop University, and MFA from Clemson University. He is a drawing instructor for Clemson University and works out of Oyé Studios, an artists’ cooperative in downtown Greenville, SC.

As Greenville prepares for the 21st edition of Artisphere from May 9 – 11 and Lake City wraps the 13th ArtFields Competition & Festival on May 3, the trajectory is clear: these aren’t just arts festivals. They are engines of transformation.

About Artisphere:

Artisphere is an annual three-day fine arts festival in Greenville, South Carolina, that showcases the work of local and national artists through a juried competition. With live performances, culinary experiences, and community engagement programs, Artisphere is a signature cultural event of the Southeast.

About ArtFields:

ArtFields hosts a one-of-a-kind Southern art competition and exhibition in Lake City, South Carolina, that features work by artists from across the Southeast. Launched in 2013, the event has grown into one of the most influential arts festivals in the region and has led to year-round art programming in Lake City through permanent galleries and educational programs. View recent winners at https://www.artfieldssc.org/galleries/past-winners/.