Artfields: Lake City’s Annual Festival You Need To See

If you think world-class art only lives in big cities, think again. Founded along a picturesque country road in South Carolina’s Pee Dee region, Artfields, Lake City’s Annual Festival, transforms the town into a kaleidoscope of creative expression. 

Held the last week of April through the first week of May each year, this art-centric event showcases hundreds of artists across multiple disciplines, scattered throughout the town, from historic museums to hardware stores.

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Charleston to Lake City

Growing up in Charleston, where I learned enough Southern phrases to blow my hair back, I visited Lake City as a kid with a childhood friend whose mom hails from the town.

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Fast-forward to 2018, when I won a swag bag and VIP invite to Artfields’ founder and Lake City philanthropist Darla Moore’s Moore Farm Botanical Gardens for a sneak preview of the event on Instagram. It was like a memory from my youth nudging me, and I knew I had to go! 

It was a thrill to meet the staff of Lake City Make Your Art, celebrate at the farm, dance to a live steel drum Calypso band, and dine on decadent food, all while participating in an art auction for charity.

I couldn’t make it back for Artfields in 2018, but I vowed to return one day. In 2025, that day finally arrived!

Even with my Spring travel calendar packed solid, I finally made the trip for Artfields’ closing weekend—and wow! It was worth the wait!

My kindergarten bestie (KB) joined me, and together, we had an extra-special girls’ weekend of art, music, and loving life in the Deep South.

Friday: Arrive at Artfields

For my pilgrimage to Artfields, I rented a car in Charleston, S.C., and made the quick, two-hour drive on U.S. State Road 52, passing through towns like Moncks Corner and Kingstree. As I inhaled the fragrant sweetgrass fields and indulged in the perfect countryside, I gleaned an awesome preview of what was to come – ART!

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As I neared the town of Lake City, I felt a buzz of positive energy and knew I was in for a treat all weekend. Artfields was happening for me!

Jarrito’s Family Mexican Restaurant

We kicked off our 3-day weekend with a delicious lunch at Jarrito’s Family Mexican Restaurant, enjoying a hearty lunch of savory, traditional Mexican food.

While seated in a generous booth with a view of hand-carved wooden chairs and tables, KB and I caught up on what’s been happening in our lives. 

• Address: 142 N Acline St, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Popular with locals for: Hearty portions and authentic Mexican flavors
• Average cost: $10–$20 per meal
• Website: Jarrito’s Mexican Restaurant

After lunch, we headed to the Lake City Visitor’s Center to register to vote for our favorite artwork—yes, you get to vote at Artfields!

Each registered voter can vote via text, using their phone to declare their favorite pieces, which, along with juried selections, determine the winners of thousands in prize money.

Lake City Visitor’s Center

• Address: 110 E Main St, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Popular with locals for: Being the first stop for Artfields info and town history
• Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10 AM-2 PM
• Website: Visit Lake City, S.C.

With t-shirts purchased, free stickers accepted, colorful folding maps in hand, and the official Artfields voting registration completed, we made our way out into the afternoon sunshine to explore Lake City and see – what else? ART!

Artists’ Talks at the Bean Market

Tipped off from the Visitor’s Center, we first visited the Bean Market, a stunning structure built in 1936 that rose to fame during Lake City’s reign in agriculture by boasting the world’s largest truck auction of green beans.

On this day, Artfields artists were giving free Artist Talks about their work, their influences, and the importance of creativity to humankind.

• Address: 111 Henry Street, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Popular with locals for: unique, flexible space for special events
• Hours: Varies by event, check the website
• Website: The Bean Market

Ronald E. McNair Life History Center

Next, we headed to the Ronald E. McNair Life History Center, where we met one of Ronald’s former classmates, who gave us a moving tour with facts about the Lake City native and space shuttle Challenger astronaut.

• Address: 221 E Main St, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Popular with locals for: Honoring a brilliant Lake City native
• Cost: Free admission; may vary with special events
• Hours: Sundays 2 PM – 4 PM, weekdays by appointment
• Website: Ronald E. McNair Life History Center

On display at the center was Overseersucker Suit by Colin Quashie, a jaw-dropping installation that cleverly intertwined fashion and slavery with bold visuals and vintage imagery.

As Charleston kids, KB and I recalled regularly passing the McLeod Plantation—its hauntingly lush grounds still vivid in our memories.

Lynches Lake Historical Society and Museum

From the Ron E. McNair Life History Center, we continued to Lynches Lake Society and Museum, where we met local author and historian Zach Blankenship, whose knowledge of the region, including the sketchy life of local vigilante Pee Wee Gaskins, brought new depth to the artwork displayed throughout the space.

• Address: 201 Henry St, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Popular with locals for: Preserving local Pee Dee heritage
• Average cost: Free admission
• Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 4 PM
• Website: Lynches Lake Historical Society

We continued, exploring downtown and discovering art everywhere—in boutiques, hardware stores, real estate offices, even an old Badcock furniture store turned gallery.

Nearly every corner of Lake City features some kind of historical marker or art, making Artfields seem like one big awesome group hug.

Must-See Public Art Around Lake City

Bronze Sculpture of Huey Cooper and his lucky rabbit’s foot

Community Mural by Jessica Diaz, Morgan Funkhouser, Olivia Cramer & Sam Ogden

The Good of the Hive mural by Matthew Willey

Elouise Cooper and Derrick Faison Mural by Broderick Flanigan

After taking in some fantastic public art while walking around the sweet small town streets, KB and I worked up a thirst and headed over to SipCo Wine and Beer, a local favorite housed inside a former Citgo gas station.

SipCo Wine and Beer

• Address: 116 E Main St, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Popular with locals for: Casual drinks and a community gathering space
• Historic fact: Located in a renovated 1920s building
• Average cost: $5–$8 per glass of beer or wine
• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 4 PM – 10 PM
• Website: SipCo Wine & Beer

With giant pretzels and special event-themed drinks like the Strawberry Artfields Forever in hand, we people-watched the locals and shared our art discoveries as twilight cast its magic glow across Lake City’s star-speckled sky.

Browns Bed & Breakfast

We wrapped up our first day in Lake City by driving out to Browns Bed & Breakfast, located seven miles west of downtown. KB and I could have chosen any hotel in town, but with most of them filling up and increasing their prices before the Artfields’ weekend celebration, we opted for a Bed & Breakfast with the Browns. 

We were the only guests at the B&B this weekend, so we had the run of the sizable, two-story, country home. While we were eagerly anticipating the Browns’ generous continental breakfast and endless coffee in the morning, we found ourselves hungry after-hours. 

We drove to a local convenience store that offered home-cooked Southern favorites, including macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, and fried chicken.

We loaded up on snacks and drove back to the B&B on dark country roads. We stayed up late, eating and talking all about – what else? ART! 

Saturday: See More Sensational Art

Saturday morning, we woke up early but stayed at the Browns’ late, catching up on things that kindergarten besties talk about, and, of course, ART!

By afternoon, we had a hankering for some delicious southern food, so we headed downtown and discovered the glory that is Piggybacks BBQ and Catfish. 

Piggybacks BBQ and Catfish

A favorite with the locals, Piggybacks, like other establishments in the area, had beer specials and dishes featured for Artfields.

KB ordered the BBQ Fries: a mountain of seasoned French fries, topped with pulled pork, coleslaw, and the incredible savory nectar of the Gods, a BBQ Sauce called Carolina Gold.

• Address: 208 Sauls St, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Popular with locals for: Award-winning BBQ and family-style atmosphere
• Notable dish: BBQ Fries with Carolina Gold sauce
• Average cost: $25–$30 for two
• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 11 AM – 8 PM
• Website: Piggybacks BBQ

I opted for the delicious fish tacos, which were topped with pickled red onions, spicy marinated pineapple chunks, and an incredibly fresh Pico de gallo.

We enjoyed live music from a guitarist while we watched families and friends gather at long picnic tables, sharing condiments and knocking back tall, $2.00 bottles of Miller Lite and glasses of sweet tea.

Sauls Street

After enjoying ourselves at Piggybacks, we perused the places on Saul’s Street, discovering hidden gems including visual art galleries, consignment boutiques, and small-but-mighty tasty eateries. All of them featuring the same thing – ART!

Trax Visual Arts Center

• Address: 122 N Acline St, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Popular for: Contemporary art exhibits
• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 AM – 5 PM
• Website: Trax Visual Arts Center

Sauls St. Sunrise Cafe

• Address: 221 Sauls St, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Popular for: Southern breakfast and brunch
• Notable dish: Sausage gravy & biscuits
• Hours: Daily 7 AM – 2 PM
• Website: Sauls St. Sunrise

Snax Gourmet Ice Cream & Hot Dogs

• Address: 216 Sauls St, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Popular for: Old-school hot dogs and handmade treats
• Notable dish: Banana pudding ice cream
• Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 12 PM – 6 PM
• Website: Snax Gourmet Ice Cream & Hot Dogs

Daniela de Art3 Gallery

• Address: 112 W Main St, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Popular with locals for: Beautiful handmade home decor and Latin flair
• Notable items: Original art by Daniela Salgado
• Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 AM – 6 PM
• Website: danieladeart3.com

Inside this whimsical pink-walled gallery, I heard the warm sounds of Colombian Spanish and instantly struck up a conversation with Daniela’s lovely mom about Bogotá, where she was from, and Cartagena, among other cities in the country I love.

Her daughter, Daniela Salgado, who was also working in the gallery, revealed herself as the namesake of the shop and shared with us that she earned her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from the College of Charleston. ¡Bellisima!

Spectacular Art at the ROB

After enjoying ourselves on Saul’s Street, KB and I headed over to The R.O.B., a popular venue with exposed brick and large ceiling beams, where we viewed even more incredible art.

A stylish space with a creative vibe, The R.O.B. – whose acronym is short for Ragsdale Old Building, a former charcoal briquette warehouse – is a must-visit during Artfields.

• Address: 245 S Church St, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Popular with locals for: Hosting large-scale community events
• Local tidbit: Part of the Crossroads Hospitality Group
• Hours: Varies by event
• Website: The R.O.B.

Before leaving The R.O.B., KB and I conversed with Debanjana Bhattaacharjee, a talented landscape artist from Myrtle Beach whose gorgeous tryptic, The Wide White Cotton Field, was purchased by Artfields founder Darla Moore in 2024. 

Artfields Awards Ceremony at the Village Green

After the R.O.B., we headed to the Village Green, an outdoor space in downtown Lake City designed for community activities. In this beautiful common gathering area in the center of the town, we watched in awe as the annual Artfields award ceremony took over the large stage. 

Families danced on manicured grass and noshed on funnel cakes, corn dogs, and colorful snow cones amid the thousands of enthusiastic people, including artists, musicians, local merchants, and a slew of very tempting food trucks.

Generous cash prizes were awarded to the artists for their creative contributions, including Colin Quashie, who created the aforementioned Overseersucker Suit, receiving $25,000 for second place in the Artfields 2025 competition. Small town, big money, Lake City!

KB and I wrapped up the evening with one more drink at SipCo beer and wine, snapping pictures along the trek back into town, then returned to Browns bed and breakfast, where we tucked in for the night with delightful, creative visions of Artfields dancing in our heads.

Sunday: Saludos, Artfields

Sunday morning, KB and I parted ways, vowing to reunite again in the future for another fun and memorable event.

As I drove back through town on East Main Street, stopping for a train, I watched the sun beaming off tiny, historic buildings, and gave a quick sigh of gratitude for yet another successful, bucket list trip in the books. This time, with ART!

Where to Stay in Lake City

Lake City has the perfect blend of laid-back Southern charm mixed with high-art sensibility. If you’re considering a visit – and you will be happy you did – here are some recommended places to rest your sleepy head. 

The Inn at the Crossroads

Offering modern design in a historic setting, The Inn at the Crossroads is a cornerstone of Lake City and a luxury option favored by visitors, especially festival goers in town for Artfields!

• Address: 128 W Main St, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Average price: from $130/night, with special pricing during Artfields
• Book Now: The Inn at the Crossroads

Quality Inn & Suites

A reputable chain offering budget-friendly comfort, Quality Inn and Suites is just a short drive from the Artfields action.

• Address: 202 N Ron McNair Blvd, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Average price: from $95/night, slightly higher during Artfields
• Book Now: Quality Inn and Suites Lake City

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Days Inn by Wyndham Lake City

A classic chain hotel, Days Inn By Wyndham Lake City, is known for being simple and clean with easy access to the heart of downtown.

• Address: 170 S Ron McNair Blvd, Lake City, S.C. 29560
• Average price: from $85/night, subject to change during Artfields
• Book Now: Days Inn by Wyndham Lake City

Aloft Florence – 20 minutes away

For those wanting to get away to a slightly larger town, Aloft Florence treats guests with a chic, modern vibe and features like live music in the lounge.

• Address: 820 W Evans St, Florence, S.C. 29501
• Average price: starting at $140/night, check dates for details
• Book Now: Aloft Florence

⏰ Book Now for the Best Hotel Deals in Lake City, S.C.!

Carolina Calling

Artfields is one of those magical events that celebrate creativity, community, and the joy of discovery. It’s a place where everyone from seasoned art lovers to curious newcomers can find inspiration in unexpected places.

If Carolina is calling you to visit sooner rather than next Spring for Artfields, check out another fabulous event in Charleston, S.C. – Holy Smokes BBQ Festival, held each Veterans Day weekend in November.

This Artfields Voter says “Yes!” Lake City is proof that small towns can throw big, beautiful parties filled with art, culture, and awards, and Artfields is 100% one event you don’t want to miss. Let the creative adventure begin … with ART!

Whatever you do, before you go, be sure to explore some of my favorite travel companies and resources to make planning easy. I always recommend using trusted travel tools for the best deals and options.