Newsletter / vol. i
Spring 2024
📬 Letter from the Chair
Professor Michael Marks
Spring 2024
Greetings! It has been an exciting year for us in the Department of Art + Design at the South Carolina School of the Arts. The last year has been full of wonderful events both on and off campus, learning opportunities in and outside of the classroom, and faculty and student accomplishments regionally and nationally.
A variety of exhibitions and events this last year provided opportunities for students to showcase their work and for the department to host our campus communities and the public. These include the Echo community exhibition, Transcend typography exhibition, 26Characters typography exhibition, Subtle chair exhibition, Senior Symposia, Curtis Shirkey’s Frankenstein installation, and events during Pitch Week. Of course, we can’t forget about the events that culminate during A+D week every year!
The Department of Art + Design has been busy with developing new academic programs, including Art Minors, along with a new BFA degree in Graphic Design, which graduated its first cohort in the spring of ‘23. We also have a new BA in Art, Photography, that will graduate its first cohort this spring.
Our student organizations have also been active, including a new chapter for AIGA (The Professional Association for Design) and a student run design studio, PlusCo. Clay Collective has been active with their annual ceramics sale and fundraiser, which helped to send students to NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts) this March. There’s also innovative work continuing to be done with the AU Type Foundry, and an exciting announcement this year as we partner with Design for America (DFA).
The Department of Art + Design hosted several visiting speakers this semester, including alumni Morgan McCarver for a ceramics workshop, and contemporary artist Brian Rutenberg this April. Along with the Dept’s of English, History, and the College of Business, we also hosted international best-selling author Dacre Stoker, who presented research into his great-granduncle Bram Stoker and the writing of Dracula.
Faculty in the Department of Art + Design have been busy with their creative work and teaching. Prof Amidon’s ART 110 community engagement project and our Dept’s biannual study abroad trip to Italy showcase the many ways art and design intersect with culture and learning both at home and abroad. Prof Speaker’s studio practice was recently profiled in Town Magazine, as well as being recognized for outstanding teaching with Prof Anspach from TDK. Our alumni also continue to be in the news, including Painting + Drawing alumni Sara Cantrell’s journey to help others as an art therapist.
There’s so much to see and do in The Department of Art + Design and the SC School of the Arts. Keep an eye out for this year’s senior exhibitions (@scsa_seniorshow), just around the corner this month. We want to hear from you, so please be sure to follow us on Instagram (@scsa_ad) and LinkedIn to stay connected.
I look forward to seeing you around!
Prof. Michael Marks
Chair, Dept. Art+Design
South Carolina School of the Arts
Anderson University (SC)
🎉 Updates 2023–2024
🗓️ Upcoming Events
