The South Carolina State Fair is an annual event held in Columbia every year since 1869. While many people’s thoughts about the state fair are related to its rides, games, and food, it was initially founded as an agricultural event that hosted several farming-related competitions. Over the years, it has also added art competitions to its annual lineup, and several Horry County students submitted their artwork to this year’s fair, which was from October 11–22.
Students can enter art in the 2D, 3D, and photography categories and compete against other students at their grade level. Each category has a first-, second-, and third-place winner at each grade level and up to 10 honorable mentions. Judges also determine three best-in-show winners in each category: one from the elementary level, one from middle school, and one from high school.
Best-in-show winners receive a $100 prize, while first-place winners receive between $10 and $25, depending on their grade level.
Students had to register their artwork through their schools between July 1 and September 1, deliver their art to the fair between September 24 and 26, and wait until October 8 to find out if they won. The fair displayed the winners’ art in an exhibit for fair-goers to view.
HCS congratulates the 7 students from our district who won, including two from Socastee High and five from the Academy for the Arts, Science & Technology (AAST). The winners and their awards are:
Lindsey Beam, from AAST
- Best in Show, high school 2D art
Drew Bellah, from AAST
- First Place, 12th grade 3D art
Madison Dorman, from AAST
- Third Place, 12th grade 2D art
Cassidy Cox, from AAST
- Third Place, 12th grade photography
Kaden Chewning, from AAST
- Honorable Mention, 11th grade 2D art
Bianca Custer, from Socastee High School
- Honorable Mention, 12th grade 2D art
Parker Kavanaugh, from Socastee High School
- Honorable Mention, 12th grade 2D art
