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
