The Department of Art Faculty Exhibition, “Artists Teaching: Teaching Artists,” is set to showcase the artwork of Clemson University’s artist-educators on August 23, 2024. The exhibition will be held at the Lee Gallery on Clemson’s main campus and will run in two parts from August 26 to October 3 and October 16 to December 5. This event aims to symbolically connect faculty research and experiences that explore elements of place, media, technology, and visual language.
Art Department Chair and Professor Valerie Zimany emphasizes the significance of this exhibition, highlighting the award-winning faculty members who will be participating. Zimany notes that the exhibition serves as a testament to the dynamic interplay between teaching and creative practice, showcasing how faculty members integrate their art and design research into their educational roles to enrich both their work and the student experience.
The exhibition underscores the faculty’s commitment to experiential teaching for undergraduate and graduate students, providing an opportunity to share their current creative research with students, colleagues, and the broader community. The works on display will reflect a wide range of perspectives and embody diverse communication, visual, and material practices, engaging in meaningful dialogue on contemporary artmaking in the 21st century.
As a research university, Clemson provides faculty with unique opportunities to experiment with new technologies and foster interdisciplinary collaborations, generating thoughtful discourse in response to present-day viewpoints and challenges. This exhibition exemplifies the department’s role in guiding the next generation of artists and designers at Clemson, building cultural capital on campus and in the region. The community is invited to engage with the active practice of the art and design faculty through the exhibition and related events.
Participating faculty artists include a diverse group of individuals, each bringing their unique perspective and expertise to the exhibition. Visitors can expect to see works by Jon Bolton, Kiley Brandt, Zen Cohen, John Cummings, David Donar, Mandy Ferguson, David Gerhard, Joey Manson, Todd McDonald, Amanda Musick, Alex Schechter, Drew Sisk, Brooks Harris Stevens, Kathleen Thum, Denise Woodward-Detrich, Anderson Wrangle, and Valerie Zimany.
Both Part I and Part II of “Artists Teaching: Teaching Artists” will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Additionally, there will be accompanying artists talks and events that are free and open to the public. For more information about the exhibit, interested individuals can contact Lee Gallery Director Denise Woodward-Detrich at woodwaw@clemson.edu or Art Department Chair and Professor Valerie Zimany at vzimany@clemson.edu.
In conclusion, the Department of Art Faculty Exhibition at Clemson University promises to be a thought-provoking and engaging event that showcases the talent and expertise of the artist-educators at the university. By bridging the gap between teaching and creative practice, the exhibition offers a unique insight into the faculty’s research and experiences, enriching both their work and the student experience. Visitors are encouraged to explore the diverse range of works on display and engage with the active practice of the art and design faculty.