Arts Directory

About

Artist Bio

Clarence Carter Boucher is a multi-talented artist, author, and musician known for his exceptional work despite visual impairments. With a wealth of experience and accolades, he has made significant contributions to the arts, particularly in inclusive art programs for individuals with disabilities. His work has been featured in prestigious publications, museums, and collections, demonstrating his unique artistic vision and talent. He provides residencies through Arts Access South Carolina programs that provide inclusive art programs for people with disabilities, the South Carolina Arts Commission’s Artist Directory, and the Virginia Commission for the Arts teaching artist roster. Mr. Boucher’s video entitled “How to Engage Students on the Autistic Spectrum,” was a training video for the Palmetto State Arts Educators Association teacher training workshops. The South Carolina Arts Commission awarded him the Ad Astra per Aspera Commendation for exemplary performance as an artist in residence.

He attended Schiller College, Strasbourg, where he studied set design and direction with the famous Louis Fantasia. My classmates were directors from major movie companies. His degree in Art was from the University of South Carolina where he majored in Printmaking under Boyd Saunders.

Over his career, Carter’s personal work has been in numerous books and magazines including The New York Art Review, American Artist Magazine’s Annual Watercolor edition, Who’s Who in Art, About the Author and have been featured in many newspapers and on both Public and Commercial Television programs. Richard C. Owen publishes his children’s books. Mr. Boucher won the International Golden poet award.

Boucher has created illustrations or is in the fine art collection of NASA, Panasonic, U.S. Army Corps. Of Engineers, War Veterans Home, Anderson, S.C., C & S Bank, Dictaphone, Federal Landbank, NCR, Southern Bank Corp., Westinghouse, various authors, publishing houses and advertising agencies, American Artist Magazine (Watercolor ’88), Anderson County Arts Center, Marion County Museum, and numerous Private Collections.

Recently his paintings have been published in PUP PUP blog, Quagmire Magazine, Antithesis Journal: Tender (“…published annually in association with the School of Culture and Communication at The University of Melbourne…”), Alchemy Literary Magazine, Montana Mouthful’s, “Out of This World,” Zoetic Press, 45th Parallel, Detour Ahead website, Art from the Heart, New Southern Fugitives.

Because the pandemic shut down many of the shows he had lined up, Mr. Boucher started concentrating on getting his work published. It turns out that he can reach more people that way and so he only occasionally has returned to showing at venues such as Virginia Beach Art Center, Duluth Art Center, and Piccolo Spoleto.

Artist Statement

My journey through the realm of art, literature, and music has been a testament to the power of creativity transcending barriers. Despite facing visual impairments, I have navigated a rich tapestry of experiences, leaving an indelible mark on the world of arts.

My passion for inclusive art programs stems from a belief in the transformative potential of creativity for all individuals, regardless of ability. Through initiatives like Arts Access South Carolina programs and collaborations with esteemed institutions such as the South Carolina Arts Commission and the Virginia Commission for the Arts, I have worked tirelessly to break down barriers and provide opportunities for expression.

My artistic vision is a reflection of the myriad influences that have shaped my journey. From studying set design and direction in France to majoring in Printmaking at the University of South Carolina, each experience has contributed to the unique tapestry of my artistic identity.

The recent series I call “Trashalisks” combine my concern with my creation of artworks accessible to those with low vision with my concern for wildlife and how people value their convenience over the lives of wildlife and their and their children’s well being. Hence the use of high contrast colors. Each of the “Trashalisk” series has a viewing port to see trash I personally picked up from a sea turtle nesting area. This is also a move to going back to creating more sculpture in anticipation of the continuing loss of my own vision.

My work has graced the pages of esteemed publications such as The New York Art Review and American Artist Magazine, as well as prestigious institutions like NASA and the Marion County Museum. Through diverse mediums including painting, poetry, and illustration, I seek to explore the depths of human experience and provoke thought and emotion in the viewer.

In recent years, the digital landscape has offered new avenues for sharing my art with the world. From publications in online platforms like PUP PUP blog and Quagmire Magazine to virtual exhibitions such as the 57th Annual Art of Possibilities, I have embraced technology as a means of expanding the reach of my message.

As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges, my art serves as a beacon of hope and resilience. Whether through poignant reflections on the human condition or vibrant expressions of joy and beauty, I aim to spark dialogue and foster connections that transcend borders and boundaries.

In essence, my art is a testament to the boundless potential of the human spirit. It is a celebration of diversity, a homage to the power of creativity, and a call to action for a more inclusive and compassionate world. Through my work, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovery, exploration, and transformation.

Teaching Artistry Details

Teaching Artist Statement

My own artwork has been greatly affected by my vision loss. I am blind in one eye and the other eye has advanced glaucoma, field loss and contrast loss. I don’t always wear my eye patch because it gets hot and itchy, and this makes me more aware that students may have invisible disabilities. I had already studied accommodations and modifications but having to implement modifications in my own artwork has been a real eye-opener if you pardon the pun. One of the main approaches I take with the students is that they do all the work on their art pieces. I will demonstrate on scrap paper or re-explain techniques if they get stuck, but I try and only touch their work in rare circumstances. An example would be that I can’t see if they are applying Papier Mache strips so they are bonding so I will touch it but if it needs correcting, I get them to do it., This leads to complete ownership by the student of their finished artwork. They never have to say Mr. Boucher did that part. I also am very accepting if they want to finish their elephant in pink and purple, that is their decision. After all that is more interesting anyway. I have detailed lesson plans using the SC Department of Education’s Visual Arts Standards. Although I give detailed instructions on techniques and materials, I keep an incredibly open mind as to how the student creates. I think of the instruction more as a prompt to get them to create an original work of art rather than a set of instructions that must be mindlessly followed. You will notice in samples that there is not a cookie-cutter approach to the student’s artworks they choose the subject and create something truly original. I view my job as introducing techniques and materials, encouraging originality, and then getting out of their way and only helping if they get stuck. I have a long record of getting the more difficult to reach students to engage in projects. My Lessons also include many soft skills objects embedded in them. For instance, students learn to lead and follow or to take turns with equipment.

Description of Offerings

I offer printmaking, painting, papier mache, and sculpture. My most popular residency consists of an interdisciplinary experience where the students write a poem, illustrate the poem and then write a group song. I also offer virtual programs and residencies. I offer Papier Mache, painting, and the interdisciplinary workshop listed above as a webinar. These can be used to support academic classes as well as art classes. I offer a webinar on how to illustrate papers in history, science, and creative writing. I also do a training webinar on how to accommodate or modify lessons to be inclusive which has been used by the South Carolina Art Commission and Arts Access South Carolina to train artists in residence. I also work with students and adults with disabilities. This is a primary focus of my residencies. Arts Access South Carolina has provided many training sessions and I have self-appointed CE that attend webinars by VSA/Kennedy Center and The Florida Teachers Association which kindly allows artists in their webinars.

Experienced with the following age groups

• Early Learners (0-2 years)
• Preschool (3-5 years)
• Kindergarten -2nd Grade
• 3rd-5th Grade
• 6th-8th Grade
• 9th-12th Grade
• Higher Education
• Adults
• Creative Aging (Adults 60+)

Materials Provided to Schools or Organizations by Teaching Artist

• I generally bring specialized tools like silk screens.

Physical and Technical Requirements of a School or Organization

• I generally need access to water for cleaning. I also need access to the room(s) before and after the classes for set up and clean up.