The South Carolina Interviews:

In 2024, Kevin Kirkwood traveled to Lake City, South Carolina to connect with artists and event directors behind ArtFields; one of the Southeast’s most dynamic, community-driven art festivals. Held each spring in Lake City, ArtFields transforms the entire downtown into a living gallery, where storefronts, public buildings, and outdoor spaces become exhibition venues for artists from across the region.

During his visit, Kevin sat down with participating artists and the organizers who shape the vision of the festival each year. Their conversations explored what it means to present work in a town-wide format, how ArtFields has reshaped the cultural identity of Lake City, and the logistical and creative challenges of producing a multi-venue event at this scale.

More than a competition, ArtFields represents a model for how small towns can center the arts as an engine for connection and economic vitality. Through these interviews, The Strand captures the voices of those building that momentum; from the artists installing their work to the directors orchestrating an experience that welcomes thousands into a shared celebration of contemporary art in the South.

Listen to each episode by clicking on the artists featured below.