Trinessa Dubas, multidisciplinary artist, playwright, actress, director and producer thrives on creating content without limitations using interdisciplinary arts projects to create content that use a variety of mediums including theatre, storytelling and video. She received her B.A.Cum Laude from Benedict College 2016 and was recognized with a 1st place honor for her senior thesis “The Effects of Art and Creative Therapy on Depression: Alternative Coping Strategies in Healing”.
Dubas is an active performing artist and script writer with NiA Theatre Company, as well as resident playwright for UHURU children’s academy. She has been a performing professional actress and voice over artist for over 20 years adding writing, directing and producing plays for the last 10.
Trinessa sustains an artist’s life by operating a small business, LadyTLuxuries, a mobile beauty and nail spa experience.
Bradd Parton is an author/illustrator with many picture, activity, and comic books to his credit. He is best known for creating the Alpha-Sketch art style where he draws with just the letters of the alphabet. Every line in an Alpha-Sketch is a letter, and all 26 letters appear once in each illustration. Some of his recent Alpha-Sketch books include I AM NOT A CAT PERSON!, NEEDLES, L, M, N…OH!, O, SAY CAN U C?, and THE LETTERS LOVE THE SEASONS. In 2018 he released THE ALPHA-SKETCH CLASSROOM, a teacher’s manual that allows for easy and effective integration by instructors at all levels. While his work centers on the alphabet, Alpha-Sketch is not about learning the letters but more about perception and point-of-view. His presentations are geared toward the elementary and middle school levels and include animation, live drawing, readings, and a game where participants guess what the artist is drawing one letter at a time. Bradd is a nationally certified teacher and has been successfully working with students of all ages since 1999. In addition to his self-published books, Bradd’s work has been published by Dark Horse Comics and Mad Monster Magazine among others.
Free Reign Theatre Company works with both students and adults with disabilities. Free Reign Theatre Company works in close relationship with Garinger High, a Title I school in Charlotte, to create fight choreography and safely instruct student actor-combatants in their theatre productions. As students with physical, mental, and behavioral disabilities are identified by school staff, Free Reign Theatre adheres to the accommodations denoted in students’ IEP and 504 plans, as conveyed by school staff. Free Reign Theatre Company also works with adults with disabilities, such as dyslexia, ADD, physical handicaps, and cognitive impairments. Free Reign Theatre Company believe that disabilities should not be a barrier to theatre. Whether working with students or adults with disabilities, their priorities are safety, empathy, and inclusion. They want everyone, regardless of their abilities, to be able to express themselves without harm and to participate equitably in the theatrical process. There is a place for everyone in this universal art form.
Kaleo is the Director and Instructor of the Hawaiian Cultural Awareness Education Program. She has lived and studied with Master Teachers in Hawai’i since the late 80’s and has an extensive background in the Hawaiian Culture and Hula as Ancient Storytelling. She is the Director of the Halau Hula Pu’uwai O Aloha, a non-traditional school of hula and has been teaching hula to both adults and children throughout the Eastern US and Canada since the early 90’s. In Spartanburg SC, her classes have been part of the World Dance Program at Converse College; Residential Programs and Classes for children at Lawson Academy of Arts Summer Camp, the Spartanburg Parks Summer Camp, the Montessori schools in the Upstate, the Chesnee Community Center and the Boys and Girls Clubs. She is a member of SCDancing, part of SCAHPERD, the South Carolina Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Kaleo has been sharing Hawaiian Storytelling, Hula Presentations, Classes and Workshops at Senior Residences, Libraries, Corporate Events, Clubs, Organizations and Private Parties since 1995. She also offers a program for dance students in high school dance departments on how to be more fully present in the story of the dance they are performing.
Columbia, SC artist doni jordan creates fiber art, art installations, mixed media assemblages, and collages. She received a BFA in studio art from the University of South Carolina (USC). In 2010, she was inducted into the National Association of Women Artists (NAWA) in New York City. Jordan’s love of nature, travel, design and typography is reflected in the art she creates. Her current work is nature inspired which includes botanical installations, eco printing and dyeing with indigo.Columbia, SC artist doni jordan creates fiber art, art installations, mixed media assemblages, and collages. She received a BFA in studio art from the University of South Carolina (USC). In 2010, she was inducted into the National Association of Women Artists (NAWA) in New York City. Jordan’s love of nature, travel, design and typography is reflected in the art she creates. Her current work is nature inspired which includes botanical installations, eco printing and dyeing with indigo.
Alicia Leeke, a native South Carolinian, produces abstract works of art inspired by nature’s ever-changing scenery. More recently, she is inspired by photographers Susan Kae Grant of Texas and John E. Powell of Columbia, SC to produce a body of work combining conceptual art, photography and digital mixed media. She has taught Artistic Furniture Makeover Classes at the Columbia Museum of Art and Beginner and Advanced Concepts in Abstract Painting at City Art in Columbia, South Carolina. Leeke was awarded a grant by the Charleston Scientific and Cultural Education Fund to produce a traveling exhibition entitled: View from Under the Microscope: Science-based Learning Through Art. The exhibition educates the non-scientific community about the importance Phytoplankton play in our life and why we need to be good stewards of our water bodies. This body of work is currently traveling. She is a 2017 recipient of the South Carolina Arts Commission’s Artists’ Ventures Initiatives Grant and a grant recipient from the Joan Mitchell Foundation located in New York City.
Jelani is an audio engineer & music producer currently residing in Columbia, SC. He graduated from Richland Northeast High School (Columbia, SC) then Stratford College of Art (Hilton Head, SC). Jelani moved to Atlanta and attended The Atlanta College Of Art. Jelani signed a record deal with Atlanta based indie record label Mass Appeal Records as a producer. After relocating back to Columbia, SC, Jelani formed his indie record label Militant Muzic Group (2006) shortly after he co-founded Quantum Beats Recording Studio along with partners Arieas “AJ” Lee and Aaron Johnson. In 2012, Jelani parted ways with Quantum Beats to establish Studio 23 Recording Studio / Music Group.
Vaughn D. Newman, Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he began dancing at William Penn Arts Charter. Formal dance training continued at Freedom Theater, PHILADANCO (Philadelphia Dance Company), and New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida. While in Miami Vaughn Performed for MOMENTUM DANCE COMPANY, Brazz Dance Theater, and danced works by Anna Sokolow, Merce Cunningham, Jennifer Muller, and Sean Curran. https://www.facebook.com/vaughnnewmandance, https://www.instagram.com/vaughnnewmandance/
Mr. Newman continue to provide dance training for several local dance studios and choreograph major productions for local theaters in Greenville.
As of June 2018, The Studio – Home of Vaughn Newman Dance (VND) opened its’ doors to offer a myriad of dance instruction. Residing outside of downtown Greenville, in District 25, The Studio is the home of VND – Greenville’s Premier Contemporary Dance Company.
Bolokada Conde, Master Drummer of the Mande tradition, was born in Kissidougou, Guinea, West Africa. According to family legend, his mother knew when he was only two years old that he would be a drummer. Bolokada is held in high esteem in his home city and has received recognition from the ministry of culture for his artistry. In 1996 Bolokada became lead soloist of Les Percussions de Guinée, Guinea’s premiere percussion ensemble. He toured the United States and Europe, gaining an international reputation as a djembe player. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his music. He has performed with Elvin Jones, Joan Baez, and Mickey Hart. Since 2004, he has been performing as well as teaching in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. From August 2008 to December 2011 he was a full-time visiting artist at the University of Illinois School of Music. While there, he gave drumming classes for the community and in the public schools as part of the Robert E. Brown Center’s “World Music and Dance in the Schools” program. He has been living in S.C. since 2012 (Greenville, Easley) where he has assisted other artists in school residency programs.
Darelle D. Dove, aka Mr. Dove, grew up in Philadelphia, PA and eventually moved to the south around the time he started college. He always knew he was called to work with the youth in some way. That may be because he was told that sometimes, he can be a kid at heart. At least this means he can still relate to them. Theater teacher — 2013 – present he has worked as a freelance theater teacher in quite a few spaces. Between summer programs with camp, an elementary school or after school programs, he has taught different techniques from his experiences with theater. Techniques were the basics from stage presence, to stage vocals, to character development and a lot more. The ages ranged from 3rd grade, up to high schoolers. While this is his first year as teaching artist, he has experience working with students, and incorporating learning with arts with them. During his years of working in the elementary schools, after school programs or camps, he has had the ability to write songs collaborating curriculum and school with music. Songs include color theory, fractions, holidays and plenty more. He has collaborated with quite a few teachers with this method. The kids seem to enjoy it, and are able to learn as well.
Jo Ann is a retired Dance Educator who now works as an award-winning metalsmith jeweler. Upon retirement , she reinvented herself by studying with well know metalsmiths and attended formal institutes of higher education learning the original technique of silversmithing. She has exhibited throughout the southeast.
Angelika Selman -Bondar was born in Hof Germany and came to America as a child. She received her BFA from Augusta University in1982, has continued art studies at the Atlanta College of Art, Savannah College of Art, the High Museum and the Morris Museum. Angelika has been an art teacher for over thirty years in the CSRA and also creates artworks that have been exhibited in the southeast with many pieces in private collections across the USA and in Europe. She has received many awards for her teaching as well as the art she creates. Recently she retired from teaching in the public school systems and now teaches workshops and private lessons. Her artwork consists of a variety of mediums. She is always seeking new ways to create art so does not limit herself to only one medium. The mediums she is most noted for are ceramic sculptures, assemblage sculpture, mixed media creations, watercolors, printmaking, photography and Prisma color paintings. Her ceramic sculptures are usually figurative that incorporate many techniques, textures and often added materials. The 2-D works are mostly realism of objects from nature and scenes from the environment. Assemblages and mixed media pieces tend to be abstract.
Annex Dance Company is committed to promoting dance in its home location of Charleston, SC, as well as around the globe. Through performance, collaboration, outreach/education, Annex Dance Company continues to evolve with each project. Under the artistic direction of Kristin Alexander, the company strives to be an internationally recognized classical modern dance company with an edge. Annex Dance Company is committed to arts advocacy. The company promotes the arts through collaborative projects with artists of different mediums and provides opportunities for dancers of all levels, students through professionals.
Dance Matters is a Charleston, SC based contemporary dance company with a commitment to creating cross-disciplinary performances that engage, educate, and inspire audiences of all ages. Essential to the company’s mission is to create work that can be adapted to address K-12 curriculum standards and tailored for dance integrated residencies. Employing a unique blend of dance and storytelling, the company’s inaugural work, Earthsongs (2017), invites audiences of all ages to consider the role human activity has on the natural world. Set to stories from the Netsilik Eskimos, Mark Catesby, and the SC Sea Turtle Rescue Center, and culminating in a joyful dance finale, this contemporary dance challenges us to learn from the past and envision a future of peaceful coexistence. The company’s second work, Coming to Monuments (2018), unpacks the history behind Confederate monuments and their conflicted legacy. Focusing on SC history, Coming to Monuments shares the struggles of African Americans to achieve equal civil rights, such as Septima Clark’s Citizenship Schools, and Millicent Brown, one of the first black students to attend Charleston schools. Fueled by the music and poetry of Charleston Poet Laureate, Marcus Amaker, the piece questions who determines how history will be shaped and by whom.
Irene Rose is an 8th generation South Carolinian whose voice has taken her across five countries, to Music Row in Nashville, TN and led her right back home to Charleston, SC. She is the owner of award-winning entertainment company, Once Upon A Party, where she entertains as different characters teaching children the importance of strong character. Two-time winner of her campus version of American Idol, radio talent searches, songwriting competitions, and selected for showcases in both America’s Got Talent and American Idol, she has been featured on ten albums. After graduating from CSU, she attended Youth With A Mission’s creative/performing arts school in New Zealand, touring Thailand, China and Hong Kong as a singer, songwriter, dancer, and choreographer. She then started a movement called “Stop Traffic” as an advocate for the victims of human trafficking. Twenty of her songs have had radio/TV airplay and she was signed in Nashville as an artist/songwriter. She currently serves as a school music director and songwriter for a children’s book series. She has a national distribution deal for her CD, “Songs to Grow On,” with Life Action Ministries, and is featured as the theme song for the book series, “Fruit That Lasts.”
Sapient Soul’s voice offers a power carried through poetry, conversation, written word, and spoken word. Readings, performances, and workshops are complete with Q&A as well as fun interaction!
Yasu Ishida, Master of Fine Arts in Theatre for Young Audiences, is an award-winning magician, director and storyteller, and a graduate of the Chavez Studio of Magic (the world’s most prestigious magic school). He beautifully imbues the essence of traditional Japanese culture into his magic and storytelling. Yasu has enthralled audiences all over the United States, including performances at Disney Summer Stage Kids in New York and the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., the world’s largest festival of Japanese culture outside of Japan. He was a nominee for the 2013 RAW Honolulu Performing Artist of the Year, and the American Alliance for Theatre & Education awarded his show with a 2014 Elizabeth and Don Doyle fellowship.
Leslie has been involved in musical theatre in the Upstate since 2004, both on and off stage. She teaches musical theatre classes for the Spartanburg Youth Theatre, and has choreographed shows for Spartanburg Little Theatre, Limestone College Theatre Department, Spartanburg Youth Theatre, and Cannons Elementary School.
Julian Gooding is a children’s and young adult librarian, storyteller, documentary film-maker and percussionist. He uses drumming and oral traditions of West Africa to open the creative mind and spirit of a child. His interactive storytelling style encourages both children and adults to take part in each story and become the characters or help in the creation of mood and imagery with props and world percussion. He now includes STEAM programs that focuses on food science.
A graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design (BFA – Graphic Design) and the University of Georgia (MFA – Drawing & Painting), Troy Wingard has dedicated much of his career to creating art and sharing what he has personally discovered about its development and promotion. His work addresses questions on identity, culture, and individualism within a modern context. Troy’s portraits, sidewalk drawings, and sculptural works have been featured in numerous venues throughout the United States, as well as solo exhibitions in over 14 academic institutions such as Duke University, Grambling State University, the University of South Carolina-Aiken, The University of Mobil, and Coastal Carolina University, among others. His works have been exhibited internationally, including invitational and solo exhibitions in Havana, Cuba; Budapest, Hungary; Camagüey, Cuba, and Tel Aviv, Israel. Troy was also the featured artist in the nationally syndicated magazine, The Pastel Journal, and his work has been nationally showcased in multiple editions of New American Paintings. Troy has taught a variety of art and seminar courses as an instructor with the University of Georgia and Southeastern Louisiana University, as well as serving as the program coordinator for the School of Design at the Art Institute of Washington-Dulles.
Trumpeter, composer, arranger, didgeridoo player, recording and touring artist Mark Rapp has performed for audiences around the world. Mark has released 8 diverse recordings and appears as a sideman on a myriad of projects including Disney’s “Everybody Wants to be a Cat” alongside the likes of Roy Hargrove, Dave Brubeck, Esperanza Spalding, The Bad Plus, and Joshua Redman. Mark also composed and produced a jazz ballet “Woven: Life in Notes and Steps”. Mark is the founder of ColaJazz through which he launched an annual jazz festival, a jazz camp serving all ages and all levels, and actively supports and grows the jazz scene in and around Columbia, SC. Rapp is a prominent figurehead, performer, and jazz activist in SC and in February 2018 was named an Ambassador of Jazz for the State of South Carolina by the SC House of Representatives.
The Carolina Dance Collaborative is a mobile dance outreach company committed to providing quality dance education in the Upstate of South Carolina. The team of dance educators at CDC works with all ages and abilities across the Upstate delivering dance curriculum. Current programs include elementary, middle and high school residencies, one day workshops, after-school programming and recreational programming. All curriculum is custom designed to fit the needs of the students and enhance their learning experience. Students explore ballet, modern, jazz, african, hip hop, creative movement or choreography depending on the context of the class and who it is for. In the school setting these identifiable styles of dance are combined with current academic standards and character building to provide a student centered curriculum.
Ray McManus is the author of three books of poetry: Punch. (published by Hub City Press, 2014, and winner of the 2015 IPPY award for best book of poetry in North America by an independent publisher), Red Dirt Jesus (published by Marick Press, 2011, and winner of the Marick Press Poetry Prize), and Driving through the Country before You Are Born (published by USC Press, 2007, and winner of the 2006 SC First Book Poetry Prize). He is also the co-editor of the anthology Found Anew (published USC Press, 2015). He is a professor of English at the University of South Carolina Sumter, where he teaches Irish Literature, Southern Literature, and creative writing, and directs the South Carolina Center for Oral Narrative. Ray is also the Writer in Residence for the Columbia Museum of Art, and chairs the Board of Governors for the South Carolina Academy of Authors. Since 2000, Ray has worked with thousands of students through a project he developed called Split P Soup and through his direction as the creative writing coordinator for the Tri-District Arts Consortium.
Mr. Dennis James Breedlove is an experimental choreographer and performer and is a native of Coconut Grove, Fl. Mr. Breedlove graduated with a BFA in dance from the University of the Arts. Mr. Breedlove is a former member of the SD PRISM Dance Theater Company, and has studied at the Alvin Ailey dance school. His choreography, performance art-work is grounded in the philosophy, and training of the Baptism, a spiritual-nexus lining movement exploration. He has trained with master teachers and choreographers such as Milton Myers, Pat Thomas, Ruth Adrian, Andrew Pap, Wayne St. David, and Sonia Dawkins while studying at the University of the Arts. Mr. Breedlove worked at Club Med in Port St. Lucie where he choreographed and performed off-Broadway Shows /TV revival show American Bandstand, Happy Days, and Fame. Mr. Dennis Breedlove has a passion for dancing and performing, and sharing that gift with others. He is an Instructor that truly cares about his students young and the youth. It is the mission of DJB Dance Theater to provide individuals of all ages and cultural backgrounds, the opportunity to explore and express oneself both emotionally and physically.
Janette Marvin, a muralist and painter, grew up in northeast Brazil and has a love for the coast. She has many years of experience working for decorators, designers, home owners, hospitals, schools, and galleries. Most of her murals are very large and were painted under strict time constraints, but her work also includes paintings of all sizes on canvas and many other surfaces. She understands both budgetary constraints and the need for projects to be completed in a timely manner. For murals, she does several small painted sketches to be approved or changed before starting on the actual mural. She has many years of experience painting many different subjects but beach scenes are her favorite.
Lynne is a performing, creating and teaching musician. She has over 20 years experience working with children through music in group and private settings. Her BA in music therapy from Loyola University New Orleans provides a background in working with students with a wide range abilities. Some of the many instruments she uses in her teaching and performances include banjo, guitar, piano, ukulele, voice and washboard.
Kelly Davis is proud to be on the SmartARTS and Warehouse Theatre’s Teaching Artist staff this year in Greenville, SC. She holds a BFA in Acting with a minor in Musical Theatre as well as an E-RYT Yoga Instructor Certificate and NASM Personal Trainer’s Certificate. Kelly is happy to offer a blend of drama, music, movement, yoga and breathing in most of the classes she teaches. Originally from NYC, Kelly has lived in Upstate SC since 2016 and is enjoying being a part of the arts and theatre community, performing with several local theatres throughout the year. Kelly is a proud wife and cat mama.
A native of Bogota, Colombia, who now makes her home in Greenville, Diana Farfán is an award-winning ceramic sculptor and instructor, cultural agent and art coach advancing Latino artists in South Carolina. Recognized statewide, Diana is an instrumental leader and key player in this sector who works to make these artists’ voices louder and stronger in South Carolina by mentoring young Latino artists and serving as member of the Board of Directors for Palmetto Luna Arts. Also an advocator for animal welfare and the natural environment, Diana supports local organizations by increasing awareness of Humane Education (HE) “A process that encourages an understanding of the need for compassion and respect for people, animals and the environment and recognizes the interdependence of all living things”, with emphasis on sensitizing the youth through the arts. Diana holds a B.A. in Graphic Design, a B.F.A. in Ceramic and Printmaking from Universidad Nacional de Colombia, and a M.F.A. in Ceramic Sculpture from University of South Carolina. She is a member of the Liberty Fellowship and the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Jimmie Lynn is a landscape architect that sees design and math in EVERYTHING! She has studied welding, silversmithing, enameling, printmaking, bookmaking and most recently, painting. She learns best by DOING and is so excited to be a teaching artist that helps students learn through DOING!
We are all creatives; it is a unique gift that makes us human. While Kristin enjoys creating her own works of art in the performance and fine arts realm, she is passionate about to helping others reach their own creative potential and experience the arts for themselves. She has been a dance professional for over 13 years, performing across the south and mid-west along with teaching in Lexington and Columbia at the Center for Dance Education, then directing and developing a dance program for the YMCA of Greenville’s 3 locations in the Upstate of South Carolina. Kristin specializes in ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern and tap techniques. In addition to dance, she has also been working in the area of fine craft for the last 6 years. She opened a studio in 2015 in Travelers Rest South Carolina, the TR Makers Co, where students of all ages can be inspired by and also learn the techniques of various fine crafts. She specializes in sewing, block carving and printmaking, pattern making, set and costume design.
Jessica is an SC homegrown spoken word and visual artist with a big mouth and a bigger imagination. She builds dreams out of words, rhythm, and recycled and re-purposed materials. Whether parading with a puppet or pulling your leg with a tall tale Jess is proud to share the magic of storytelling and the joy of creation with you.
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College with degrees in history. He is the author of Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry, Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands, Ghosts of the Pee Dee (all for The History Press) and he also has a story in An Improbable Truth: The Paranormal adventures of Sherlock Holmes (from Mocha Memoirs Press). His newest full-length release is an anthology of Southern Gothic ghost fiction titled Creek Walking from Falstaff Books. He also has stories in two anthologies from Prospective Press. Mr. Johnson was also the recipient of the first Caldwell Sims Award for Excellence in Southern Folklore from the USC-Union Upcountry Literary Festival, where he is a long-time presenter. Mr. Johnson has been active in many community groups, including Chester County First Steps, the Chester County Arts Council, and the Chester Little Theater among others. He is on the Roster of Approved Artists as an author, as well as the South Carolina School Librarians’ list of storytellers. He has been a guest at ConGregate, ConCarolinas, Fandom Fest, MonsterCon, MystiCon, AtomaCon and Imaginarium. He is also the President and Storyteller- In-Residence for Palmetto State Hangers, a hammock camping group.
Crystal Ball O’Connor, Ph.D. is the author of award-winning children’s books focused on preserving and protecting the gifts of family and nature. Her books have received the highest rating by the National Center for the Study of Children’s Literature and were selected by the SC Department of Education’s Reading First and for Edventure Science Center’s Science Institute. Crystal is devoted to engaging students, teachers and families in the joy and value of reading and writing. She conducts author school visits and writing residencies to help young authors understand why writers make the decisions they make and how to communicate those decisions. Crystal has made hundreds of school visits across South Carolina preparing students for writing success, developing their skills using high-quality literature. She conducts teacher professional development workshops to show that getting excellent results takes intentional skill building and ongoing practice. Crystal works with Superintendents, Principals and Literacy Coaches to understand the strengths and weaknesses in their reading and writing curricula and tailors programs to meet their specific needs and resources. She speaks at South Carolina conferences such as the International Reading Association, Teachers of English, Association of Curriculum and Instruction, Upstate Writers Program, and Arts Integration in the Carolinas.
Leasharn is a multi-disciplinary artist willing to develop, create, and nurture your students’ artistic needs. She has the ability to create a classroom project that integrates traditional teaching methods with literary, media, or performance arts to demonstrate to students how the arts can be an interactive and an exciting part of educating on any subject. Leasharn can design workable projects associated with literary arts (playwright and screenwriting) and have your students bring their scripts to life either through performance or film, and has the capability to work with students in acting and is a skilled director in stage and film.
David Novak is an award-winning storyteller and teaching artist, telling stories to enhance learning, engage emotion, and find common ground. David’s 30+ years of experience as a performing and teaching artist includes being Master Storyteller for The Disney Company, The Lincoln Center Institute, L.A. Music Center, and the nation’s top storytelling festivals. He is an internationally touring storyteller and performance artist, and recipient of the Circle of Excellence for storytelling, and the Aurand Harris Memorial Playwrighting Award for excellence in professional theatre for children. His school programs receive the highest ratings for entertainment, curriculum relevance, and student engagement. An A+ Fellow for the North Carolina Arts Council, David lives in Asheville, NC. Smithsonian Magazine describes him as “a gifted teller who enhances his stories with a bag of tricks.”
John Tudor’s heartwarming magic has been enjoyed across North America for almost three decades. A native of New York, John comes from an acting background, and brings a theatrical touch. He’s performed at a wide variety of venues, including The Breakers, in West Palm Beach, The Riviera, in Palm Springs, and The Glenn Gould Theatre in Toronto. He’s performed in schools and educational conferences all over the state of South Carolina, with his character education program “The Magic Is In You.” He won a First Place Silver Telly Award for his educational video based upon that show (created with a grant from the SC Arts Commission). John has done extensive mentoring of young performers, and for a dozen years put on a major conference with a public show for charity. More recently, he’s presented his Magic Theatre show, dramatizing the world history of magic (presented recently at Village Square Theatre). A guest artist with Columbia City Ballet (Drosselmeyer), S.C. Philharmonic, Columbia Marionette Theatre, & AlternaCirque. Locally, John has performed at the Koger Center, Township Auditorium, Carolina Coliseum, Town Theatre, Act One Theatre, Harbison Theater, Columbia Children’s Theatre, Longstreet Theatre, Workshop Theatre, Trustus Theater, and with the SC Shakespeare Company.
University of South Carolina Bachelor of Fine Arts General Studio concentration in sculpture; minor in painting. Graduated 2007; John C. Campbell Folk School – Traditional Joinery Class (Clay Spencer Instructor) – 2010; John Boyd Smith Organic Forging Class – 2012. Experience – Back Street Studios, LLC (Owner/Artist – Bob Doster) artist assistant – 2001; Carolina Association of Sculpture Students (Founded 2004 / president 2004-2006 / advisor 2007); The Philip Simmons Artist Blacksmith Guild of South Carolina; Demonstrator, Instructor – 2009 – present; John C. Campbell SC Scholarship Recipient 2010 Active member since 2005 ; Web admin- 2014- present; Ironmans Shop / Carolina Powder Coaters, LLC. – Vice-President- 2010-2013; Journeyman- 2013-present. Roster Artist – Bringing blacksmithing to SC public schools teaching/demonstrations from honors level to special needs development Grades K-12. Demonstrations include traditional blacksmithing tools and equipment, hand-crank coal forge, anvil, hammers, tongs, and safety equipment. Blacksmithing history is discussed and simple goods (hooks, spikes, and chain) are produced without electricity. Artist’s work demonstrations include forged steel leaves and flowers using techniques created by the artist. 2-D steel designs are hammered out to create 3-D forms over the anvil. Herndon Asphalt Engineering and Consulting, Media/Communications/Art Director-2009- present. Currently Exhibiting: South Carolina State Museum 30th Anniversary Juried Exhibition.
Maurice Middleton has spent more than two decades delighting choirs, congregations, singers and audiences with inspiring music and performances. This extraordinary musician was born in Orangeburg, SC, and was educated in the Orangeburg County public schools. As life progressed Maurice began his matriculation at South Carolina State University to pursue a degree in Music Education. Maurice Middleton has been an educator in the Public Schools of South Carolina and is passionate about training, mentoring and inspiring the next generation of vocalists, instrumentalists, directors, and music educators. He is a member of the following professional organizations: South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), National Association for Music Education (NAFME).
Johnny Thomas Fowler, mountain-heritage storyteller, award winning musician and best-selling author is from the Upcountry of South Carolina. He is a member of the South Carolina Institute for Community Scholars, and in 2011-12 he served as the project scholar for the S.C. Humanities Council. Johnny is one of seventeen national storytellers featured in the book Southern Appalachian Storytellers. He was awarded the prestigious Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award, the highest award given to folk artists in S.C. He has been a featured teller at Stone Soup Storytelling Festival, the International Storytelling Festival, and host-teller at the Hagood Mill Storytelling Festival. He is currently the best-selling author with Kennedy Free Press, and in 2017 released his first children’s book. He produces a weekly storytelling segment on N.C. Public Radio. Johnny has been an active residency and performing artist for over 30 years teaching and sharing his love of storytelling, folklore and music. Looking for great storytelling and music for Arts Day, Literacy Night or South Carolina Day? Need a best-selling author or a special folk music presentation for music classes? His social studies residencies/performances about South Carolina are very popular. He specializes in active storytelling residencies for all ages.
Mary Walker is a painter and printmaker. Born in New York and raised in Tryon, NC, she exhibits regularly in the South and the Northeast. She lives on Johns Island outside of Charleston SC and is the winner of numerous regional grants and residencies. She has experience teaching collage and various forms of printmaking.
Having been the creative force behind Columbia’s Vibrations Dance Company serving as Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer for twelve years as well as serving as Long Term Artist in Residence at Logan Elementary in Richland School District One for almost twenty years, Terrance Henderson is now pioneering new independent Arts in Education efforts, creating new original dance and theatre work, facilitating community outreach and activism, as well as Arts Management through his personal brand, T.O. Henderson Dance Incorporated or TOdanceInc. Most recently and notably, Terrance was the recipient of the 2016 Steve G. Morrison Visionary Award. Terrance is a 2009 State Artist Fellowship recipient in Dance Performance and also the first and only choreographer from South Carolina to receive the International Bronze Leo Award for Outstanding Jazz Dance Choreography presented at the Jazz Dance World Congress in Chicago in 2009. Terrance is currently the Director of Modern Dance at Southeastern School of Ballet and runs an after-school dance and drama program at A. C. Moore Elementary. Terrance is also the Artistic Director and a founding member of Indigo Soul- a soul music trio dedicated to using song, story, and conversation as a healing device through performances, residencies and workshops.
Born and reared in Latin America the colors, styles and rhythms have left a deep impression on how Katherine sees the world. Childhood memories of the lush tropics and patterned mosaic sidewalks also influences her art to this day. Starting with glass or clay and adding a little heat from a kiln, these elements are transformed into delicious mosaic stories. Nipped glass bits are placed together to create quilt blocks patterns depicting those used on the Underground Railroad or the wind speed maps of a hurricanes. Clay is rolled, coiled, pinched and glazed to create the components of a larger picture. Little has changed in these processes since ancient times. From the beginnings of these art forms, glass forming and clay building, to how they have grown through technology is explored during the residencies. Connections of the history, math and science used in these processes are also investigated. Past projects include mosaic murals installations for public art and schools, workshops and classes in museums, art schools and glass industry expos. Facilitated art for special events and festivals. Projects vary from individual designs to collaborative site-specific installations. Residencies are tailored to meet your individual populations and time schedules.
Jess Stone is a mixed media artist who loves the lake life. Her favorite place to be is her newly renovated Art Studio or the classroom! She became a teacher of art by accident! Starting young in High School as an art teacher at local art camps. She then went on the receive her BFA from Clemson University and her MFA from Memphis College of Art in Memphis, TN. During this time she continued to teach and was accepted to the Artist in Education Roster. This allowed her to travel the state teaching Printmaking, papermaking and bookbinding to K5-12th grades across the state. After graduating with her Master’s she completed a 3 year program for teacher certification, and taught Elementary Art in Spartanburg for three years. She’s been blessed to teach at both Converse College and Anderson University. Currently, she teaches Elementary Art part time in Anderson County and Travel the Upstate doing Visiting Artist Residencies. She also works closely with the Smart Arts Program through the Metropolitan Arts Council which brings art into the basic curriculum! She loves sharing my passion for art and process with students!
Gregg “Buffalo” Barfield presents highly interactive residencies and concerts featuring old time “Appalachian and Jug Band” instruments like the washboard, spoons, kazoo, jug and washtub bass.