SC Arts Commission 40th Anniversary
Forty Lists Project
Favorite teaching artist (artists working in education, any level) in South Carolina
Names were submitted by fans inspired by these teaching artists. Don't see your favorite? E-mail Milly Hough to add your suggestion to the list.
Click on the person's name to read some of the comments submitted with the entries. (Not all entries included comments.)
Teaching artists by county
Aiken |
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| Anderson | Karoline Burgette |
Beaufort |
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| Anita Prather | |
| Stephanie Riedmayer | |
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J. W. Rone |
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Marlena Smalls |
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| Charleston | Aaron Baldwin |
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Enrique Graf |
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William Halsey |
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Eliza Ingle |
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Robert Ivey |
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| Darlington | Patz Fowle |
Florence |
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Greenville |
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| Michael Brodeur | |
| Kathryn Dey | |
| Mia Hartley Phillips | |
| Anne Tromsness | |
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| Hampton | Dottie Martin |
| Horry | Alex Powers |
Lancaster |
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| Laurens | Barbera Brinson |
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| Lexington | Coby Bowers |
| Michel McNinch | |
Oconee |
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| Lisa Kiser | |
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| Orangeburg | Sylvia Hiers |
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Pickens |
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| Richland | Indira Cureton-Cummings |
| Heidi Darr-Hope | |
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| Faisal Salahuddin | |
| Vicky Saye-Henderson | |
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| James Steven | |
| Dan Wagoner | |
Spartanburg |
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| Peggy Hunt | |
| Mark Olencki | |
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| Chip Walters | |
| York | Mary Beth Young |
"George, although not a teacher in the formal sense of the word, has influenced more artists than he will ever realize. He has run the Aiken Artists Guild Critique for something like 25 or 30 years. As a successful artist, I owe my arts education in part to this man. He has taught me everything from how to compose a picture to the business end of being an artist. He has just retired from the position, but it was a sad day for the guild when he passed the responsibility to me. He is a great encourager. He is fearless with a brush. He is a true friend and mentor, but most of all a great artist and man."
"Karoline has exceptional abilities to bring out the creativity in children. She encourages them to see the world and their abilities in new ways. She knows that all of us have artistic talents whether we recognize them or not. She is exceptional at promoting the arts and playing in a creative fashion."
"Melba is vastly experienced and deeply thoughtful as a teaching artist. She helped form the Beaufort County Arts Integration program that is snowballing right now."
"Does Kim need any introduction? She's been a teaching artist for over 20 years, and has influenced the TA field, as well as the arts in all of S.C."
"Educates with a Christmas Show (demonstrating) how life was prior to 1865."
"Not only is she a very talented and creative teacher, but it's clear that she really loves teaching children. Her projects are unique and interesting, and the students love her! She has given a lot to our community through her dedication to teaching art to children in Beaufort."
"Mr. Rone continues to inspire creativity to those that seem to be set aside or removed from the mainstream. His determination has allowed him to touch the souls of those students that others can't seem to reach."
"I am nominating Marlena because of her unselfishness and untiring effort to educate and inform the world of the importance of Gullah and the contributions and impact the Gullah culture has made on American History."
"Aaron teaches painting, drawing, and art history at Charleston Southern University. He has won our very competitive Excellence in Teaching award and was the CSU professor of the year for 2006-07. He has had gallery showings all over the Southeast and keeps so quiet about it that on more than one occasion students and colleagues have stumbled across his pieces without realizing at first they were his. He has helped his students grow in every imaginable way through countless hours of work. Paintings by Aaron's students adorn our new science building; paintings by them have graced the covers of our literary magazine (the Sefer) for its last several issues. An excellent carpenter in addition to his work as a superior painter, sculptor, and educator, he has donated many weekends to student theatrical productions at CSU, building sets, props, and even a black-box theater. Aaron's students are dedicated to him and proud of him. At our graduations he is always surrounded by a bevy of students who learned a lot about art and its benefits in their lives."
"He has trained many of the finest young collegiate pianists in S.C."
"Eliza Ingle is a dance professor at the College of Charleston. She has a wonderful way of making dance fun for any level and has developed her own "style" of dance, combining modern, Pilates, and ballet. She encourages creativity among her students and really inspired me as a college student."
"I have known and worked with Bob for 31 years. His work with students, the community and the state are star-studded. His legacy will be known for years to come."
"Patz is a wonderful teacher as well as an artist. Kids love her charming personality as well as her well-planned, creative lessons."
"My granddaughter is in Young Singers with Sharon, and she does an outstanding job year after year. She is also a colleague and is very professional in all that she does. She works hard and cares deeply about the children. She goes above and beyond the call of duty to provide the best music education for her students and she is always there to help and support the music program of District One in any way she can. She exemplifies what a music teacher should be."
"Has taught and inspired many children through her work with S.C. Children's Theatre."
"Excellent drama teacher who inspires children of all ages"
"She has an amazing spirit and energy. She works with children and does a great job!"
"A natural teacher and an incredibly talented artist, Alice also shares her wonderful sense of humor and reverence for nature with her students."
"Marston is so good with the children. He makes the residency fun. He always works with me to incorporate my standards, too. He is down to earth, knows his art form, and knows how to teach kids. He accepts any situation and makes the best of it. I, as a teacher, learn as much as the kids do from his residencies."
"He has a lot of insight in helping his students discover their strengths. gives constructive criticism that is most valuable."
"She takes care of her students as if they were her own children. She is committed to their welfare in many ways, not just musically."
"Mia brings the artist out of each person she touches. She believes in young artists and helps them grow."
"She has made a tremendous impact on my children's lives."
"Anne is in charge of recruiting by day. This means she is not only talking to students about the arts but giving them viable options to pursue their interests to the fullest. In addition, she voluntarily helps Warehouse Theatre's Wooden O program — basically designing the curriculum herself to go into the schools for this NEA-funded program, and she teaches youth and adults alike through The Distracted Globe. With this organization she will perform improvisation workshops and classical theatre workshops to library groups, schools and businesses alike."
"Dottie Martin provides an awesome musical theatre experience for students through her delivery of instruction and performance. For many schools that do not have thriving programs, this standards-based residency is a wonderful introduction to the area of theater. For those who do have established programs, this is a wonderful addition. The theatrical instruction, costumes, set, props, and technical support all provide a total experience. The experience is just as beneficial for cooperating teachers as well as the students who participate."
"Bob goes above and beyond his call as a resident artist to make sure all students have access to the arts."
"He is very easy to work with and very flexible with the students."
"Over 10 years ago I sat in her class, took positive criticism with a nod of my head, a worried, yet understood teen, I was but determined to try something new. I have the most respect for the knowledge she had. She shared, she always took in more, never judging or closing her mind to anything. I love to see her work in Laurens and as well as I am progressively changing as artist myself. She deserves to know how special she is."
"As an educator, Ms. Bowers allows the students to shine. Their work shows the freedom of expression that she is capable of teaching them to share. She is a mediator of their individual gifts and is as humble and genuine a person as one will ever meet."
"Michel has renewed in me a desire to be creative in oil painting. She introduces innovative ideas and encourages her students to think for themselves. She loves what she does and that carries over into what she presents to her students."
"Michel has taken me under her wings and is such a great inspiration to me as an artist. I really appreciate all of her effort with me and above all I appreciate her believing in me as an artist. What I love about her is that she is helping me find myself as an artist, and that is taking a long time. Her patience with me is truly appreciated. Michele is an accomplished artist whom I look up to. She is AWESOME!!"
Nancy Basket is the BEST residency artist—hands down. After 10 years as an ABC writer, she always will TOP my list. She is a storyteller, artist and teacher. I have worked with her many times. She has taught students to honor their roots, respect and to recycle natural resources like KUDZU. Her classes are hands on as she engages students in making hand made paper and weaving baskets from kudzu vines. She is REAL! The students see this right away. She speaks with respect to the students and they respect her. She gives so much to every residency. She offers after school art classes for teachers to share her craft. She is an amazing person and we are blessed to have her in S.C."
"Started the Blue Ridge Arts Center's Education Outreach endeavor "Make It & Take It." This event is shared with children at local arts-affiliated functions and allows children to express themselves by making their own masterpieces at no cost to the child."
"Mrs. Hiers is dedicated to teaching children in her community about painting, pottery, and piano. The children of Springfield and other communities in western Orangeburg county are fortunate to have the opportunity for exposure to multiple arts disciplines. Mrs. Hiers has taught art in public and private schools in S.C. and now teaches out of her own studio in a historic building in downtown Springfield."
"Mr. Keith has taught me a lot. Coming from a high school where I wasn't really pushed, all I was able to do was draw pictures of people using the grid process and cartoon characters, but I felt like I was the best. Mr. Keith taught me that there are other ways to draw, and he was the one who told me that anyone can do art. It was through him that I'm able to produce art now from my imagination. Thanks to Mr. Keith, this colorblind young man is able to create in color. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have been able to have three pieces shown in the Columbia Museum and I certainly wouldn't have been able to have had four pieces displayed in the Claflin University Education Journal."
"Janet is a well-organized and talented artist. She is the only teaching artist I asked back to teach my students."
She is a high school drama teacher who truly cares about her students and their achievements. She has taught for 11 years in the district. She started with one drama class and eventually added to her schedule a full-time drama curriculum. To her credit, she has won numerous accolades including district artist of the year, however she always credits her students for her accomplishments. In addition, she has written and received funding for her theatre program in excess of $100,000. She models the epitome of what an artist should be: dedicated, disciplined and respected."
"She is very patient with the students while teaching the Japanese culture. It was one of the most calming residencies I ever experienced."
"Mrs. Cureton- Cummings has been an arts teacher for 13 years teaching various age levels elementary to adults. She has worked on several state boards helping to write theatre standards, curriculum guides, and companion documents on creativity. Mrs. Cureton-Cummings has been the theatre coordinator for the Tri-District Arts Program the past two summers and has worked with the Tri-DAC program for over 10 years."
"She is not only a first-rate artist, but a splendid teacher."
"Paul is a very good teacher and also a great actor. Committed and responsible."
"Dale inspires each dancer to reach his/her full potential. She has a fire within for teaching and performing, and she transmits that fire to all her students, especially those who strive to be professional dancers. She is an amazing dancer and choreographer. The Columbia City Jazz Dance Company and School is extremely lucky to have her."
"Susan's energy is contagious, and my students loved what she offered them. She also made other opportunities available to my students after the residency. She is a very giving teaching artist."
"Faisal inspired kids all over the state with his unique and genuine passion for West African music."
"Vicky manages to balance her own artistic pursuits with a consuming passion for teaching theatre to students of all ages. She is the first name to come up when someone needs an acting coach, is looking for an improv class, or wants to bring in a guest artist at their local school. In short, she rocks."
"William Starrett is a tireless, kind and gentle ballet instructor for all ages of dancers. Even though he is the Artistic Director of the Columbia City Ballet, he teaches little children in beginner ballet classes with patience and willingness; this to me, says a lot about his character as a person as well as a ballet instructor and overall leader. He lacks any arrogance that one usually finds in an Artistic Director position, which makes him all the more respected in the Arts Community."
"20+ years of nontraditional, rebellious, yet pointedly dedicated student-centered teaching at USC Columbia in the Painting Department. Professor Steven also was in charge of the art galleries at the McKissick Museum before it was severed from the Art Department."
"I attended many classes taught by Dan Wagoner during his company's dual residency in the 1980s. He an amazing artist and a generous and gifted teacher. Each and every class I took with him was an inspiration."
"He's an exceptional artist and teacher and has been my mentor for 30 years."
"Peggy has been around the world and brings a world of knowledge with her. She is willing to work with your school in any way you need that applies to dance and drama. Her web site is dancingearth.net. It shows great pictures of her masks and puppets."
"Mark shares his expertise and resources unselfishly with the students of Spartanburg School District 4 schools, and has for years—assisting Advanced Placement students in preparing slides of their work, helping support students financially to the Governor's School for the Arts, donating art supplies, and whatever is ever needed by a child in need. He is truly a quiet hero who never draws attention to himself, and as well he has given many photography lectures and workshops free of charge to various other junior high and high schools in Spartanburg County."
"I have a wonderful business and career thanks to Mr. Parham. He took a chance on me 10 years ago and trained me well. If it were not for him I shutter to think where I would be right now."
"She has built a national model in fine arts and performing arts for deaf and blind students who attend the S.C. School for the Deaf and the Blind in Spartanburg. She is an outstanding leader in the arts for children with disabilities and has drawn national attention for our school and our children."
"She's awesome and very compassionate about art and her kids."
"Chip works extremely hard giving all of our special students maximum opportunities to shine in the arts."
"She is patient, kind and still holds the children with disabilities to high standards."
"She always has time for the students. She tries to make learning applicable and fun. She wants the arts to be included in the general curriculum."
"She is a wonderful teacher who encourages her deaf students to express their best ability in art, drama, and visual arts."
"Mary Beth's life consists of two things...dance and Winthrop. She is dedicated to her students and she loves teaching. She is an enthusiastic person who does so much for the Winthrop community and I think that she should be recognized for her great contributions."