COLUMBIA, S.C. — With the 2023 South Carolina State Fair having come to a close, artists were rushing Monday to grab their work that was on display.
“Well, the Canty Building is loaded with art, professional and amateur, then we have student art, which I think they had 3,000 pieces this year," said Craig Houston, Superintendent of the Fine Arts Department for the S.C. State Fair. "And on the entire back are all the flowers plants, and the things of that nature,”
Houston is one of almost 100 people working to get painting, plants, home and craft items, baked goods items, and more back into the hands of their creators.
Kristen Hollis is one of the many artists who rushed to pick up her and her daughter's displays. “I have my daughter's and my two pieces," Hollis said. "I got a notification someone wanted to purchase it so I will contact them to see if they want it.”
Houston said the process has been sped up this year. “We have to return it early this year because of the fact they have a big show this weekend, and so we have to clean all of it out.”
Any artwork not picked up by the deadline will be stored at the State Fair office, according to Houston.