2021 MOJA Arts Festival September 30th to October 10th

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See listing of events here

2021 MOJA Arts Festival poster, featuring the artwork of Arianne King Comer.

Arianne King Comer, a BFA graduate of Howard University, has been an Artist in Residence in the state of South Carolina since 1995. She is a textile artist creating her work in paintings, wearable art, installation art, environmental art, home deco, as well as social justice.

In 1992, Arianne received the UN/USIS grant to study under the renowned Batik artist Nike Olyani Davis in Oshogbo Nigeria, where her passion for indigo manifested. She was given the Yoruba name of Osun Ronke.

She was owner of Ibile Indigo House on St Helena House ’98-04. In 2004, Arianne traveled to Istanbul, Turkey as a guest artist sponsored by her daughter, a designer/stylist, Nicole King Burroughs. Arianne created one of a kind jean for Mavi Jeans’s. In 2007, she had the opportunity to join The Charleston Rhizome Collective to conduct a textile workshop in batik and indigo at the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya. 2006-7, Arianne was artist in Residence for North Charleston Cultural Affairs Office. In 1999, she was featured in the PBS documentary, “Messengers of the Spirit,” and in 2003 was featured in an Indigo Art segment on HGTV’s “Country Style,” which is still in syndication. She is an active member of Alternate ROOTS, Charleston Rhizome and a designer for Seeking Indigo. Her work is in several traveling exhibitions nationally as well as statewide.

Sistahs in Indigo: A Conversation with Arianne King Comer and Ifé Franklin

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The African American Studies Program at the College of Charleston, in conjunction with Avery Research Center and the Gibbes Museum of Art, will host their annual artists’ lecture event: Sistahs in Indigo: A Conversation with Arianne King Comer and Ifé Franklin.

Join us for an insightful conversation between two indigo-making artists about the ancestral craft of indigo-dying and its connection to the Lowcountry. Arianne King Comer is Artist-in-Residence at the Gibbs Museum and will be joined in conversation by fellow artist and master dyer, Ifé Franklin. Erica Veal, Project Archivist and Interpretation Specialist at Avery Research Center, will moderate the conversation.

The virtual event will take place on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 11am EST. You will not need to register to attend the event; we will stream the event on the Avery Research Center’s Youtube page (https://tinyurl.com/IndigoSistahs).

Deep Blue : An Indigo Exhibition exhibition at the Public Works Art Center (Summerville, SC) from March 6 to April 16

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Opening Saturday: “Deep Blue: An Indigo Exhibition” features eleven indigo artists from across the Lowcountry and beyond, including Kibibi Ajanku, Kristy Bishop, Arianne King Comer, Kelly Fort, Dale Fort, Ifé Franklin, Caroline Harper, Heather Powers, Marion Scott Readett, Pam Shanley, and Mary Young, Each artist individually explores their connections to the historically significant plant, sharing works of art that summon stories and encourage introspection. Programming will accompany this show throughout its run, including a streaming of the documentary film “Blue Alchemy: Stories of Indigo” by Mary Lance, off-site excursions to a local indigo farm, shibori classes, outdoor indigo workshops, and more. This show runs March 6-April 16 in the East Gallery at Public Works Art Center, and the official reception will be Thursday, March 18 from 6pm-8:30pm. *There will be a virtual offering of this exhibition in the way of a professional video presentation. Stay tuned!*

February 6, 2021 : Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission event titled Preserving Traditons

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Join the GGCHCC for a virtual presentation given by Corey Alston and Henrietta Snype, two basket weavers native to Mount Pleasant, SC that have been weaving for 82 years combined. The two expert artisans will share their personal stories with the craft that differ but similarly strive to preserve the weaving tradition. The tradition dates back for generations in the Gullah Geechee Corridor and has strong ties to its West African origins.

To register for the event email info@gullahgeecheecorridor.org with subject line “Sweetgrass”