Black Creek Arts Council is pleased to honor Dale, Mary Ellen, and Seth Johnson for the September Artist’s Spotlight. The Johnson family is also the featured artists in The Gallery at Black Creek Arts Center at 116 W. College Ave. for the month of September.
The article below was written by Ardie Arvidson of The Hartsville Messenger.
Dale and Mary Ellen met at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fla. Mary Ellen was from New Jersey. The couple has two children, Seth and Greyson.
Seth is a student at Coker College pursuing a degree in arts and communications. He hopes to continue in graduate school with a degree in film-making and incorporate his art in film.
Seth said he started drawing when he would go to his grandmother’s art shop downtown after school. His grandmother is Christine Johnson, owner of The Art Shoppe and Giverny’s Gallery. He said he started out with pencil and charcoal.
“She had all the materials,” Seth said, “That was my hobby.”
Mary Ellen said she has been painting and drawing as long as she can remember. It was her grandfather that encouraged and inspired her artistic endeavors.
Mary Ellen said he would keep her when she was little and have her draw him pictures to keep her busy. An engineer and gifted artist himself, her grandfather recognized she had talent as a young child.
Mary Ellen said she mostly preferred figurative and still life pastels but is teaching herself to work in different mediums. She is currently interested in doing “daily paintings” which are small works that could be accomplished for the most part in a day. Many of these pieces are part of the Black Creek show.
In addition to the gallery showcase, Mary Ellen’s artwork can be seen and is for sale at Chameleon Art Gallery, 26 Public Square, Darlington.
Dale said his and Seth’s are large and different from Mary Ellen’s work. Dale inherited his interest and talent for art from his mother.
“Mom has been an inspiration in more ways than I can imagine,” said Dale.
From sending care packages when he was in school to providing encouragement in his work, Dale’s mother has always been supportive. As a young boy, Dale started to draw. As early as the seventh and eighth grades, he learned that he could earn money from his work. During that summer, someone saw him drawing a portrait and paid him to do one. As others saw his work, they requested portraits.
“I did 40 portraits that summer,” Dale said. “I was also fortunate to have a good art teacher in high school. I was the first person in Darlington County to go to the Governor’s School for the Arts.”
In his job with the Darlington County School District as a network administrator, he is able to use his art background.
“I do a lot of graphics and artwork for Web pages,” Dale said. “I get to use some of my artistic talent there.”
“I primarily paint with oils,” Dale said, but his work for this show will be a hodge-podge of things he has done over the years.
Their youngest son, Greyson, will not have work in the gallery. An energetic elementary student, Greyson enjoys dabbling with art and is good at giving an interpretation of his family’s art.
When the family isn’t working or having family art session, they enjoy cooking. According to her family, Mary Ellen is a fantastic cupcake baker, and she utilizes her creative bend in decorating them. In fact, she has painted her cupcakes.
Greyson says his dad is the barbecue king of the house.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honor presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for The Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
August: Elayne Mahn
Black Creek Arts Council is pleased to honor Ms. Elayne Mahn with the Artist’s Spotlight for August. Mahn is being recognized for her enthusiasm and commitment to the Hartsville Community Players. Mahn has been a part of the Players since the group’s founding in 1971. Mahn’s personal mission in being a part of the organization is to foster the interest of live theater throughout the community.
Mahn’s interest in theater began during her high school days in Manning, SC, where she was a leader in school performances. She graduated from Coker College in 1977 with a degree in theater. Currently, Mahn serves as the College as its assistant director of admission for evening and extended studies.
The first theater production that Mahn performed in was titled, Don’t Drink the Water. Now with numerous performances and over thirty directed plays under her belt, there is no end in sight for this community-minded Thespian.
This past May, Mahn directed Deathtrap, which is a mystery play in which a jealous Broadway playwright plans to murder one of his writing students in order to take credit for the student's outstanding script. Mahn stated that though the process of directing a play is tedious, the best moments are when it all comes together on the opening night.
Recently, Mahn and other members of the Hartsville Community Players have started a building fund to raise money to have a smaller venue for theatrical performances in the community. Currently, the organization holds its theatrical performances in Center Theater. Mahn also strongly encourages community members to voice their input on what shows should be performed in the future. She also encourages for community members to audition for a future performance, even those who have never been in a theater production.
Currently, Mahn is preparing to direct The Dixie Swim Club, which is a comedy similar to the movie, Steel Magnolias. The story is focused on five southern women who rekindle their college friendship by vacationing on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The production is scheduled to premiere in Hartsville in September.
Elayne Mahn’s Favorites:
Of the many theatrical performance she has performed in, Mahn’s favorite role has been Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire. Her favorite character in a musical theater production has been Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun. When it comes to her favorite theater production she has directed, Godspell is at the top of her list. Ms. Mahn has directed this particular play twice, once in 1988 and just recently in 2008.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honor presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for The Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com.
Mahn’s interest in theater began during her high school days in Manning, SC, where she was a leader in school performances. She graduated from Coker College in 1977 with a degree in theater. Currently, Mahn serves as the College as its assistant director of admission for evening and extended studies.
The first theater production that Mahn performed in was titled, Don’t Drink the Water. Now with numerous performances and over thirty directed plays under her belt, there is no end in sight for this community-minded Thespian.
This past May, Mahn directed Deathtrap, which is a mystery play in which a jealous Broadway playwright plans to murder one of his writing students in order to take credit for the student's outstanding script. Mahn stated that though the process of directing a play is tedious, the best moments are when it all comes together on the opening night.
Recently, Mahn and other members of the Hartsville Community Players have started a building fund to raise money to have a smaller venue for theatrical performances in the community. Currently, the organization holds its theatrical performances in Center Theater. Mahn also strongly encourages community members to voice their input on what shows should be performed in the future. She also encourages for community members to audition for a future performance, even those who have never been in a theater production.
Currently, Mahn is preparing to direct The Dixie Swim Club, which is a comedy similar to the movie, Steel Magnolias. The story is focused on five southern women who rekindle their college friendship by vacationing on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The production is scheduled to premiere in Hartsville in September.
Elayne Mahn’s Favorites:
Of the many theatrical performance she has performed in, Mahn’s favorite role has been Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire. Her favorite character in a musical theater production has been Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun. When it comes to her favorite theater production she has directed, Godspell is at the top of her list. Ms. Mahn has directed this particular play twice, once in 1988 and just recently in 2008.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honor presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for The Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
July: Dr. Jim Beaumier
Black Creek Arts Council is pleased to honor Dr. Jim Beaumier with the Artist’s Spotlight for July. Dr. Beaumier has earned this honor through his passionate dedication and service to the arts community in Darlington County. Beaumier is the current Director of the Hartsville Civic Chorale, as well as the leader of the chorale program at Hartsville High School.
Beaumier’s love and dedication for music derives from his musical family. Beaumier grew up in a house with musically-minded parents and very talented siblings. With music engrained as a way of life, Beaumier decided to study music in college. Eventually, he earned a doctorate degree from the University of Southern California.
Beaumier moved to Hartsville about twenty years ago to direct Coker College’s chorale program. Five years ago, he made the move to build the chorale program at Hartsville High School.
For the past twenty years, under Beaumier’s direction, the Civic Chorale puts on at least two concerts a year. He has directed the Civic Chorale to perform semi-professional musical repertoire. The Civic Chorale has performed many major works, such as Bach’s Mass in B Minor. Most recently, the Civic Chorale performed a concert featuring the works of famous American composer and pianist, George Gershwin. Beaumier notes that the Civic Chorale not only performs the Classics, but also a variety of popular music.
Beaumier is very grateful for the support that the Hartsville Civic Chorale receives from its community. Forty-five members of the community sing in the Civic Chorale. Beaumier states that these people “represent a large cross section of the community.”
Beaumier is truly a great asset to Hartsville High School’s chorale program. He understands that the arts can benefit children and that early exposure and experience with the arts can have long-lasting, positive impact on people’s lives. Dr. Beaumier is a firm believer that “the arts, in general, can do many things for children. It can teach children how to gain self-confidence and self-worth. It can teach children how to work hard as well as how to be good at ‘something’. Children who are introduced into some kind of arts program will be taught not only how to be creative, but how to develop life long skills.”
Beaumier’s ties to the Coker, the school district, and the community make him the ideal recipient for an honor such as The Artist’s Spotlight. Black Creek Arts Council appreciates all that you do for the arts in Darlington County.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honor presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes those artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for The Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com.
Beaumier’s love and dedication for music derives from his musical family. Beaumier grew up in a house with musically-minded parents and very talented siblings. With music engrained as a way of life, Beaumier decided to study music in college. Eventually, he earned a doctorate degree from the University of Southern California.
Beaumier moved to Hartsville about twenty years ago to direct Coker College’s chorale program. Five years ago, he made the move to build the chorale program at Hartsville High School.
For the past twenty years, under Beaumier’s direction, the Civic Chorale puts on at least two concerts a year. He has directed the Civic Chorale to perform semi-professional musical repertoire. The Civic Chorale has performed many major works, such as Bach’s Mass in B Minor. Most recently, the Civic Chorale performed a concert featuring the works of famous American composer and pianist, George Gershwin. Beaumier notes that the Civic Chorale not only performs the Classics, but also a variety of popular music.
Beaumier is very grateful for the support that the Hartsville Civic Chorale receives from its community. Forty-five members of the community sing in the Civic Chorale. Beaumier states that these people “represent a large cross section of the community.”
Beaumier is truly a great asset to Hartsville High School’s chorale program. He understands that the arts can benefit children and that early exposure and experience with the arts can have long-lasting, positive impact on people’s lives. Dr. Beaumier is a firm believer that “the arts, in general, can do many things for children. It can teach children how to gain self-confidence and self-worth. It can teach children how to work hard as well as how to be good at ‘something’. Children who are introduced into some kind of arts program will be taught not only how to be creative, but how to develop life long skills.”
Beaumier’s ties to the Coker, the school district, and the community make him the ideal recipient for an honor such as The Artist’s Spotlight. Black Creek Arts Council appreciates all that you do for the arts in Darlington County.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honor presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes those artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for The Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
June: Mr. Lynnwood Lewis
Black Creek Arts Council is pleased to honor Mr. Lynnwood Lewis with the June Artist’s Spotlight. Mr. Lewis is being acknowledged for his countless and continuous contributions to the Hartsville community.
Lewis is the chairman of The Butler Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the old Butler High School on 6th Street in Hartsville. Lewis, a Butler graduate, was not alone in realizing that saving the old campus and its rich heritage would help promote educational and cultural opportunities for the community. One of Lewis’ current projects is to raise funds to renovate the administration building. Upon completion, the building is to serve as a cultural arts complex.
Lewis has been serving on the Butler Heritage Foundation Board since its inception in 1991. He has been the Board’s Chair since the mid-1990s. Throughout the Foundation’s existence, he has promoted the old Butler High School as a major facility to serve the community in myriad ways. His promotion has been successful. Since 1999, much of the campus has served as the Hartsville Boys and Girls Club headquarters. The Hartsville Head Start Center is also located on the old campus.
Lewis’ biggest event each year is Heritage Week. Butler’s Heritage Week is an event that celebrates the rich legacy of Butler High School, its alumni, and the goals and accomplishments of the Butler Heritage Foundation. This year’s festivities will begin June 28 and last through July 5. Alumni and friends are invited to visit the old Butler High School and see the progress of the Foundation. A Taste of Butler, Gospel Fest, a parade and tailgating are only a few on the many cultural events that will occur during Heritage Week. For more information about the Butler Heritage Foundation or the events at the 2009 Butler Heritage Week, go to Butler's Website.
Besides his immense impact on the cultural sector in Hartsville, Lewis is also a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church and Hartsville’s chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He helps with the fraternity’s mentoring program, Kappa League. Kappa League provides young men with guidance and career opportunities.
Lewis’ contributions are multi-faceted and far-reaching. From infrastructure improvements (Butler High campus) to using his role at Butler to assist other like-minded organizations (Head Start, Boys & Girls Club) and to providing personal attention to area youth in need of guidance (Kappa League), Lynnwood Lewis is a treasure in the Hartsville community. He has been an avid supporter of all arts-based activities in Darlington County for many years. BCAC would like to thank Mr. Lewis for his continued involvement in the Arts and cultural events in our area.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honor presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes those artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for the Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com.
Lewis is the chairman of The Butler Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the old Butler High School on 6th Street in Hartsville. Lewis, a Butler graduate, was not alone in realizing that saving the old campus and its rich heritage would help promote educational and cultural opportunities for the community. One of Lewis’ current projects is to raise funds to renovate the administration building. Upon completion, the building is to serve as a cultural arts complex.
Lewis has been serving on the Butler Heritage Foundation Board since its inception in 1991. He has been the Board’s Chair since the mid-1990s. Throughout the Foundation’s existence, he has promoted the old Butler High School as a major facility to serve the community in myriad ways. His promotion has been successful. Since 1999, much of the campus has served as the Hartsville Boys and Girls Club headquarters. The Hartsville Head Start Center is also located on the old campus.
Lewis’ biggest event each year is Heritage Week. Butler’s Heritage Week is an event that celebrates the rich legacy of Butler High School, its alumni, and the goals and accomplishments of the Butler Heritage Foundation. This year’s festivities will begin June 28 and last through July 5. Alumni and friends are invited to visit the old Butler High School and see the progress of the Foundation. A Taste of Butler, Gospel Fest, a parade and tailgating are only a few on the many cultural events that will occur during Heritage Week. For more information about the Butler Heritage Foundation or the events at the 2009 Butler Heritage Week, go to Butler's Website.
Besides his immense impact on the cultural sector in Hartsville, Lewis is also a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church and Hartsville’s chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He helps with the fraternity’s mentoring program, Kappa League. Kappa League provides young men with guidance and career opportunities.
Lewis’ contributions are multi-faceted and far-reaching. From infrastructure improvements (Butler High campus) to using his role at Butler to assist other like-minded organizations (Head Start, Boys & Girls Club) and to providing personal attention to area youth in need of guidance (Kappa League), Lynnwood Lewis is a treasure in the Hartsville community. He has been an avid supporter of all arts-based activities in Darlington County for many years. BCAC would like to thank Mr. Lewis for his continued involvement in the Arts and cultural events in our area.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honor presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes those artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for the Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
May: Norm Miner
Artist's Spotlight for May 2009
Contribution. Impact. Legacy. Those are three words that generally come to mind when thinking of honoring someone with an award like the Artist’s Spotlight. Invariably, artists like those previously honored come to mind (Carolyn Govan, Mike Fowle, Willard Jacobs). However, there are many ways to make contributions and impact on the Arts without producing any artwork.
Since moving to Hartsville in a few years ago, Norm Miner has made many contributions to the Arts through volunteering and participation. For that reason, Black Creek Arts Council is pleased to honor him with this May’s Artist’s Spotlight. Norm’s efforts as a volunteer at Black Creek Arts Council have been tremendous. “Norm can fix anything,” says Bruce Douglas of BCAC, “He can make some things that aren’t broken, a lot better.”
While Norm has used his carpentry skills for the betterment of the Arts Center, his generosity has reciprocated itself in a special way: pottery. BCAC instructor Barbara Watson has had Norm in a few of her classes in the Pottery Studio. To say his carpentry skills were transferable to pottery would be an understatement. Currently, a few of Miner’s pottery pieces are on display in the gallery at the Arts Center.
In addition to the difference he has made at Black Creek, Norm is also a fixture (and fixer) at Wesley United Methodist Church in Hartsville. The repairs he did to some paneling in the sanctuary there are the stuff of legend.
People like Norm Miner are truly what make rural communities special places to live. It is their contributions and commitment to community improvement that leads to progress and prosperity. These things lead to growth, which explains why Norm and his wife ended up here in the first place. “We saw Hartsville as a place with a lot going on and a lot of things for people like us to do,” said Miner. So, just as Douglas said of Miner, “He can make some things that aren’t broken, a lot better.”
Sunday, April 12, 2009
April Artist's Spotlight: Carolyn Govan
Black Creek Arts Council is pleased to honor Mrs. Carolyn Govan with April’s Artist’s Spotlight. Govan is being acknowledged for her dedication to the arts and education in Darlington County. She has also been an active member of many art organizations throughout the state, including the South Carolina Arts Commission and The Artisans of the South Carolina Cotton Trail.
Govan is an accomplished painter. Unlike many painters, who capture generic sunsets or still-life studies, Govan targets experiences of everyday life. She enhances her paintings by using strong and vibrant colors. She is inspired to paint non-traditional landscapes, ethnic scenes and figures, and even historical subjects. Recently, Mrs. Govan had worked displayed at the Black Creek Arts Center.
Mrs. Govan has been creating art since she was a very young child. In our conversations, she noted one experience that encouraged her to become an artist occurred in her family life. As a child, her mother used to tell stories to the family while her father would draw pictures. This provided a foundation for much of the subject matter that Govan paints today.
As she grew older, Govan’s desire to learn more about the arts grew. Whenever it was time for college, Govan chose South Carolina State University. The fact that renowned South Carolina artist, Leo Twiggs, was an art professor in Orangeburg weighed on Govan’s decision.
Studying under Twiggs, Govan became the first person to earn a degree in art from S. C. State. Since then, Govan has not rested on her degree. She has served our state in various capacities including as a Board Member with the South Carolina Arts Commission and as a teacher in various schools. She currently teaches visual arts education at Blenheim Elementary/Middle School in the Marlboro County.
Govan enjoys teaching art to young students. She says she understands she is not going to be able to teach every student how to become an artist. However, she still considers it her duty to educate young people on how to become appreciative consumers of the works of artists.
Throughout her professional career, Govan has received numerous accolades, including being indcuted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame in 2007.
Govan currently resides in Hartsville with her husband Charles (a member of the Darlington County Board of Education). The Govan’s have three daughters; Wanda, Michelle, and Dione. She also has three grandchildren; Jaswan, Jasmine, and Tahjae. Mrs. Govan welcomes guest to come visit her at her home studio (please call prior to visitation) to take a visual tour of the many paintings she has created.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honor presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes those artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for the Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com
Govan is an accomplished painter. Unlike many painters, who capture generic sunsets or still-life studies, Govan targets experiences of everyday life. She enhances her paintings by using strong and vibrant colors. She is inspired to paint non-traditional landscapes, ethnic scenes and figures, and even historical subjects. Recently, Mrs. Govan had worked displayed at the Black Creek Arts Center.
Mrs. Govan has been creating art since she was a very young child. In our conversations, she noted one experience that encouraged her to become an artist occurred in her family life. As a child, her mother used to tell stories to the family while her father would draw pictures. This provided a foundation for much of the subject matter that Govan paints today.
As she grew older, Govan’s desire to learn more about the arts grew. Whenever it was time for college, Govan chose South Carolina State University. The fact that renowned South Carolina artist, Leo Twiggs, was an art professor in Orangeburg weighed on Govan’s decision.
Studying under Twiggs, Govan became the first person to earn a degree in art from S. C. State. Since then, Govan has not rested on her degree. She has served our state in various capacities including as a Board Member with the South Carolina Arts Commission and as a teacher in various schools. She currently teaches visual arts education at Blenheim Elementary/Middle School in the Marlboro County.
Govan enjoys teaching art to young students. She says she understands she is not going to be able to teach every student how to become an artist. However, she still considers it her duty to educate young people on how to become appreciative consumers of the works of artists.
Throughout her professional career, Govan has received numerous accolades, including being indcuted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame in 2007.
Govan currently resides in Hartsville with her husband Charles (a member of the Darlington County Board of Education). The Govan’s have three daughters; Wanda, Michelle, and Dione. She also has three grandchildren; Jaswan, Jasmine, and Tahjae. Mrs. Govan welcomes guest to come visit her at her home studio (please call prior to visitation) to take a visual tour of the many paintings she has created.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honor presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes those artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for the Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com
Friday, March 6, 2009
March Artist's Spotlight: Mike Fowle
Mike Fowle's New Blue ShirtBlack Creek Arts Council is pleased to honor Mr. Mike Fowle with the March Artist’s Spotlight. Fowle is being acknowledged for his creative accomplishments and efforts in arts education. BCAC is not the only organization taking note of Fowle’s artistic ability. One of his sculptures is currently being recognized statewide in an exhibition featured at the South Carolina State Museum.
Ultimately, Mike Fowle is a self-taught contemporary visual artist. He mainly focuses on creating sculptures. Fowle creates sculptures by using metal, clay, wood, and other materials that he finds suitable to create a piece of fine art. Whenever he begins creating a sculpture, Fowle is able to envision the final product of his piece from the reassembled recycled materials and objects he has discovered. When not working on a sculpture, Fowle likes to test his talents by oil painting.
For the last thirty years, Fowle has been working with his wife, Patz, in various art-related ventures. However, Fowle states that he only began creating “his own artwork” about three years ago. He has created about a dozen pieces.
Fowle had the opportunity to broaden his art studies through international travel. In 2005, Fowle went to Tokyo. While in Japan, he enjoyed the experience of staying in a traditional Japanese home, as well as studying the people and cultures. His visit also included going to the Historic Pottery Village of Mashiko. Fowle’s visit to the Historic Pottery Village allowed him to do research on traditional Japanese potteries. At the same time, Fowle provided assistance to Patz in an International Artist-in-Residence program at the American School in Japan.
Fowle enjoys creating sculptures from recycled plastics. In 2008, this desire earned him much recognition. A sculpture that he created from reassembled recycle metal was chosen to be exhibited in the Palmetto Hands Traveling Arts Exhibition. The sculpture (entitled “New Blue Shirt”) has traveled throughout the state of South Carolina. The show was exhibited in the South Carolina State Museum’s Education Hall.
While Fowle enjoys creating sculptures and other fine art, he contributes much more to the arts community than works of art. He is also an approved artist for the South Carolina Arts Commission’s Arts in Education Program. He also maintains active membership in many organizations and guilds that include the Sumter Artists Guild and the Florence Visual Arts Guild. Fowle is also a lifetime member of the Florence Museum.
Fowle works in his own studio where he creates art for both public and private collections. Fowle states that his inspiration comes by simply “being able to create, having the material to work with, and imagining how the finished piece will look.” In 2008 Fowle was commissioned to create a permanent Wall Installation Sculpture commemorating the Environmental Discovery Center at the Lynches River County Park in South Carolina.
Darlington County, as well as the rest of South Carolina, is fortunate to have Mike Fowle among its contributing artists. Through creating and educating, Mike Fowle has made and will continue to make a difference in the lives of many people, both young and old.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honorarium presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes those artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for the Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com
Ultimately, Mike Fowle is a self-taught contemporary visual artist. He mainly focuses on creating sculptures. Fowle creates sculptures by using metal, clay, wood, and other materials that he finds suitable to create a piece of fine art. Whenever he begins creating a sculpture, Fowle is able to envision the final product of his piece from the reassembled recycled materials and objects he has discovered. When not working on a sculpture, Fowle likes to test his talents by oil painting.
For the last thirty years, Fowle has been working with his wife, Patz, in various art-related ventures. However, Fowle states that he only began creating “his own artwork” about three years ago. He has created about a dozen pieces.
Fowle had the opportunity to broaden his art studies through international travel. In 2005, Fowle went to Tokyo. While in Japan, he enjoyed the experience of staying in a traditional Japanese home, as well as studying the people and cultures. His visit also included going to the Historic Pottery Village of Mashiko. Fowle’s visit to the Historic Pottery Village allowed him to do research on traditional Japanese potteries. At the same time, Fowle provided assistance to Patz in an International Artist-in-Residence program at the American School in Japan.
Fowle enjoys creating sculptures from recycled plastics. In 2008, this desire earned him much recognition. A sculpture that he created from reassembled recycle metal was chosen to be exhibited in the Palmetto Hands Traveling Arts Exhibition. The sculpture (entitled “New Blue Shirt”) has traveled throughout the state of South Carolina. The show was exhibited in the South Carolina State Museum’s Education Hall.
While Fowle enjoys creating sculptures and other fine art, he contributes much more to the arts community than works of art. He is also an approved artist for the South Carolina Arts Commission’s Arts in Education Program. He also maintains active membership in many organizations and guilds that include the Sumter Artists Guild and the Florence Visual Arts Guild. Fowle is also a lifetime member of the Florence Museum.
Fowle works in his own studio where he creates art for both public and private collections. Fowle states that his inspiration comes by simply “being able to create, having the material to work with, and imagining how the finished piece will look.” In 2008 Fowle was commissioned to create a permanent Wall Installation Sculpture commemorating the Environmental Discovery Center at the Lynches River County Park in South Carolina.
Darlington County, as well as the rest of South Carolina, is fortunate to have Mike Fowle among its contributing artists. Through creating and educating, Mike Fowle has made and will continue to make a difference in the lives of many people, both young and old.
The Artist’s Spotlight is a monthly honorarium presented by Black Creek Arts Council that recognizes those artists and supporters of the arts in the Darlington County area. If you would like to nominate a Darlington County artist or supporter of the arts for the Artist’s Spotlight, please send your nominations to Jessica Barnes at blackcreekarts@gmail.com
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