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.
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.
Located in the heart of Hilton Head Island, the award winning regional Arts Center of Coastal Carolina is a remarkable showcase for professional performing and visual arts, as well as cultural festivals and educational outreach. It is a year-round Equity theatre that produces musicals, comedies and dramas. In addition they also present visiting performers, musicians, vocalists, artists, dance companies, humorists and more. The venue consists of a 349-seat main stage house as well as a smaller block box studio, art gallery, and education spaces.
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.
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.
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.
Mike Fowle is a contemporary sculptor working in multiple media. He is an approved artist for the South Carolina Arts Commission and maintains a working studio where he creates art for public and private collections. Mike shares a studio with artist Patz Fowle where they collaborate and create large Public Art Sculptures. Mike has been a visiting International Artists-In-Residence at the American School in Japan in Tokyo, Japan, and co-teaches with Patz Fowle at the SCAD Educator Forum, at Savannah College of Art & Design.
2016- present board of South Carolina Artisan Center; 1977-Present Sculptor, Owner Bob Doster’s Backstreet Studio ltd.; visiting teaching artist with SC Arts Commission. Has worked with over 150,000 students k-12; first residency 1975; 1977 MFA Clemson University 1975 BFA University of South Carolina 1969-1973 owner Doster’s Grocery 1967 Lancaster High. Awards – South Carolina Arts Commission Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award Cultural & Heritage Commission of York County “Keeper of the Culture” Award First Steps of South Carolina “Hero of the Child” Award SC Main Street Inspiration Award. Public Art Commissions – Anderson SC, Cheraw SC, Columbia SC, Chesterfield SC, Chester SC, Clinton SC, Laurens SC, Lancaster SC, Pageland SC, Florence SC, Greenville SC, Spartanburg SC, Orangeburg,SC Gaffney SC, Walterboro SC, Lenior NC, Cary NC, Chapel Hill NC, Albemarle NC, Charlotte NC, Marvin NC, Raleigh NC, Rocky Mount NC, Atlanta Ga. This list doesn’t include the 100’s of sculptures created as legacy gifts for schools in North and South Carolina.
By using murals as a vehicle to enrich student learning across the full spectrum of standards, you give students an opportunity to not only surpass what is required from them academically but also the chance to beautify their home school, connect with fellow classmates at a deeper level and learn a whole host of skill sets around a different profession.
Tim Davis has worked as a professional illustrator and published author for thirty years. With over 500 Hidden Pictures to his credit, Tim teaches workshops for Highlights to train other illustrators in the art of Hidden Picture creation. These lessons are incorporated into an age-group-appropriate curriculum for the classroom.He has written and illustrated eight children’s books: the Mice of the Herringbone series and the Tales of Dust River Gulch series. His latest book, The Island Rule was published in May 2019. It emphasizes the importance of music and cross-cultural acceptance. He regularly teaches writing and illustration at Greenville Tech and Greenville Center for Creative Arts.
Shane Bryant has been a potter since 1993.He was the founder of the William Felton School of Crafts in 2004.He has taught classes through Furman University’s continuing education department, as well as the Spartanburg Museum of Art, where he was the pottery studio manager.Shane served asboard member for Upstate Visual Arts, and Greenville’s First Fridays.Shane has been listed with the SC Arts Commission’sArtist Roster since 2000, and has been an artist in residence for many schools over the years.He has been a teaching artist for MAC’s Smart Arts program since 2004, and was awarded the Smart Arts Teaching Artist of the Year award for 2017.
Kristy Bishop is a fiber artist specializing in weaving and natural dyes in Charleston.She has been involved in education ever since she was the North Charleston Artist in Residence in the 2012-2013 school year. By using techniques and topics of fiber art her curriculum augments what students are currently learning in math, science, and social studies.Using natural dyes, classes explore the scientific theory, critical thinking, all while creating hand dyed artwork.Students will utilize multiplication, fractions, and concrete math concepts through weaving.For social studies, courses discuss indigo’s impact on South Carolina, its importance to the world, and the lowcountry’s connection to West Africa.Through this dye, students create batik resists using African Adire symbols that they choose to represent themselves or families.This is a reflective project that also connects to another culture.All of these topics can be tailored to any grade level so that every student can experience an art form that has been used by humans throughout our history.
Dave McDonald has built a career as a comics creator and teaching artist based on an award-winning background in television, theme park entertainment and puppetry.He served as head writer for the Scooby-Doo brand of live entertainment for Paramount Parks’ 5 North American theme parks and continues to provide writing services to U.S. & International theme park clients, museums and corporations.He is currently an accredited teaching artist and offers education-based programming to schools, museums and libraries through several state and local arts councils in North & South Carolina.McDonald presents to over 5,000 kids a year in schools with his “Kids Make Comics!” assembly programs and weeklong artist in residencies.He is also a featured kids cartooning instructor through his online “Kids Make Comics!” video series, which can be seen on the classroom reading and learning app, Epic! www.getepic.comand Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/DaveMcDonald
Tiffany is considered a tenacious self-starter who brings strategic conceptual thinking forward!She is passionate about creating new things using traditional or digital media.Tiffany holds a Bachelors’ degree in Animation and has a total work experience of 11 years as a freelancer.She is well versed in different areas of design and has successfully designed solutions for print media, children’s books, and websites. Overall Tiffany is a color-obsessed Artist, Educator, and photographer.
Clarence is a master artist working in the ARTS ACCESS SOUTH CAROLINA programs serving people with disabilities.He has been active on the South Carolina Arts Commissions Artist Roster since 1981.His residencies have included gifted, general population and talented students as well as special needs.He is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators. Richard C. Owen publishes his children’s books.He also has nonfiction, and books of satire available on Amazon.com . His poetry has been published in numerous publications and anthologies.He won the International Golden poet award and has been listed in About the Author.His painting and/or other art works have been featured in national magazines and on Public Television.
EDUCATION
Schiller College, Strasbourg, (set design and direction) France 1978
University of South Carolina, Columbia, B. A. in Art 1977
Fine Art or illustration for NASA, Panasonic, U.S. Army Corps. Of Engineers, War Veterans Home(Percent for the Arts), Anderson, S.C., C & S Bank, Dictaphone, Federal Landbank, NCR, Southern Bank Corp., Westinghouse, Numerous Private Collections
Spirithawk is a Silversmith/Metalsmith producing her pieces the old way.Using a stump and anvil she designs, hand cuts, files, stamps, polishes each piece by hand.She teaches Silversmithing classes in her studio and at the School Of Mountain Arts in Pickens, SC.She is the Metalsmith at Hagood Mill in Pickens, SC and presents show and tell classes for students.
Belton Area Museum Association had her as one of their Heritage Days Traditional Artisans to demo Silversmithing to 1671 students, a very powerful interaction for the kids and her.
Stacy is the managing partner of Art & Soul of Aiken, a gallery by artists for artists in Aiken, South Carolina. She is the owner and an artist of O’Sulllyside Studio located southside Aiken, South Carolina, and an instructor and independent professional glass artist with over 40 years of industry experience.
As an artist, Gina derives so much joy from various forms of sculpture, and any work that provokes thought and imagination.She works primarily with lightweight materials, such as paper in all its forms, and recycled materials whenever possible.She loves creating odd characters and creepy creatures, anything with personality.Puppetry opens up a world of fascinating options.
In her classes, students take inspiration from world culture puppetry arts, and create original characters. They make connections to academic content, tell their own stories, and perform with much less inhibition as they can choose to hide behind the puppets and scenery. In her classes “weird” is okay, original thought is celebrated, and “messing up” artistically is not a fear.Process is emphasized over product.Students learn technique, build skills, retain content.
Each workshop is tailored for each group of teachers and students. Teachers provide the academic focus – standards, content, and objectives, and these inform the puppet and theater styles that are integrated. A workshop may include design, creation of age-appropriate characters, theater games, story-telling, or performance on any scale, from classroom skits in small groups, to school wide productions, through individual and team work. Please see examples on her website.