In the year 1593, bubonic plague swept through London, killing almost a third of its population.  In times of plague, when deaths exceeded thirty per week, London authorities closed the theaters.  As acting companies fell on hard times, Shakespeare took the forced closures as a time to create, and in the year 1593 began to compose the first of what would be a brilliant collection of 154 sonnets. Richard III, Venus and Adonis, Titus Andronicus, and the Taming of the Shrew were also thought to have been written during this dark time for the theater, and in 1606 when the plague returned to once again to ravage the city, Shakespeare persevered with the creation of many of his greatest plays of all time, including Antony and Cleopatra, King Lear, and Macbeth.

History has repeated itself and humanity is again facing a pandemic which has disrupted normal life and shuttered performing and visual art venues.  To support creative artists during this time, the Koger Center for the Arts is launching the 1593 Project-A Call for Art.  We encourage submissions from South Carolina performing and visual artists through June 30, 2020.  Any type of visual art-painting, digital, collage, sculpture, film, etc. is welcome.  Performing art may be any genre of music, dance or theater piece.  The chosen artist will receive a $500 stipend, rehearsal or gallery space, and technical support resulting in a free public performance or display in one of the areas at the Koger Center.  For details, visit kogercenterforthearts.com.