← View All Articles

GCCA welcomes new program director

The Greenville Center for Creative Arts announce the appointment of Javy Pagan as its new program director this week.

Javy Pagan headshotIn a news release, GCCA heralded "an impressive background in program creation, implementation, community engagement, and fundraising" set to "propel GCCA's programming initiatives to new heights." Before joining GCCA, he served as the director of museum experience at the Children's Museum of the Upstate. His remarkable accomplishments and dedication in the cultural sector have earned him a reputation as an influential leader with a passion for promoting creativity and the arts in the community. Pagan is also a highly engaged and active member of the local Greenville theatre community. CEO Jess Burgess said GCCA is thrilled to have Pagan. "With his wealth of experience and visionary approach to program development, we are excited to witness our initiatives flourish and make an even greater impact on the artistic landscape of the upstate region," Burgess said "I am excited to bring my experience in program creation, implementation, community engagement, and fundraising to the role of programs director... I am humbled to be joining a team of incredible arts administrators, and I am committed to working with them for the betterment of the upstate community," Pagan said. Pagan will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of GCCA's arts programs, fostering creativity, and expanding outreach efforts to ensure the organization continues to thrive as a leading hub for artistic expression in Greenville and beyond.
About GCCA Greenville Center for Creative Arts is a non-profit organization that aims to enrich the cultural fabric of the community through visual arts promotion, education, and inspiration. For more information, visit www.artcentergreenville.org, call 864.735.3948, or check out GCCA on Facebook (Greenville Center for Creative Arts) & Instagram (@artcentergvl).  

Jason Rapp

GCCA to open 8th Annual Showcase this Friday

Brandon Fellows, 100 Greenville-area artists + more to be featured

Header graphic that reads "Spotlight your art in GCCA's 8th Annual Showcase Opening Reception: First Friday, August 4, 2023, 6-9 p.m.

It is time once again for Greenville Center for Creative Arts' premiere event for artists and arts lovers as the Upstate organization opens its eighth Annual Showcase this week.

Presented by First Citizens Bank, the Annual Showcase will roll out a new Main Gallery exhibition with works for sale from more than 100 local artists & current Brandon Fellows, a special exhibition of youth artwork created during GCCA’s summer art camps, open registration for the Fall Art School, visits with 25 in-house studio artists, and more (if that's not enough for you).

The details

The Annual Showcase begins with an opening reception this Friday, Aug. 4 from 6-9 p.m. CEO Jess Burgess will offer remarks at 6:45 p.m. and new Program Director Javy Pagan will be on hand to meet and welcome to the GCCA team. Located in the Main Gallery (101 Abney St., Greenville), the Annual Showcase exhibition highlights more than 100 GCCA members each year whose work embodies the talent and diversity of GCCA’s vibrant visual arts community. From contemporary paintings to functional ceramics and everything in between, there is something for everyone at the Annual Showcase exhibition. The 2022/2023 Brandon Fellowship exhibition will also be on display showcasing work by emerging artists Orlando Corona, Faith Hudgens, and RaAmen Stallings. GCCA will announce three artists who made it through the competitive application process and will be the new Brandon Fellows for the upcoming 2023/2024 program year. This summer GCCA’s art camps introduced a variety of visual art mediums to over 150 campers. To culminate all the hard work completed by instructors and campers, the Summer Art Camp Showcase presents a collection of various artworks from campers ages 5-12 years old in our Gray Loft. Visitors can also enjoy a free ReCraft family activity supported by AFL Global; a new Loft Gallery exhibition, The Countless Faces of Art by studio artist Tania Ro; and the Greenville County Schools Winners Show will still be on display in the Community Gallery.
After First Friday, the Annual Showcase exhibition in the Main Gallery will be open to visitors through Sept. 27 on Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

Jason Rapp

Exciting fellowship opportunity for Greenville-based artists

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, July 7, 2023

It's that time again, and The Hub is here for it.

Greenville Center for Creative Arts is seeking artists to apply for the exciting 2023/2024 Brandon Fellowship, a high-profile, 12-month program from September 2023 to August 2024 that aims to develop three emerging artists between the ages of 21-30 who represent the diversity of Greenville's art community. Successful candidates are visual artists who are eager to advance their careers as working artists, and who demonstrate promising talent, self-motivation, and goal orientation. The Fellowship provides a supportive environment, mentorship, professional development, and visual art education. The three main goals of the Brandon Fellowship are:
  • To help young, emerging artists launch their careers
  • To foster a sense of community
  • To reflect the diversity of Greenville artists
[caption id="attachment_53365" align="aligncenter" width="600"] From left to right: Faith Hudgens, Orlando Corona, RaAmen Stallings. The 2022/2023 Brandon Fellows showcase their live painting skills at Artisphere's Artist on the Rise tent.[/caption]

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be between 21 and 30 years of age by the end of the application period.
  • Prior professional art training or post-secondary education is not required.
  • Applicants should be eager to advance their careers as working artists, and they must demonstrate promising talent, self-motivation, and goal-orientation.
  • At the time of application, the applicant must be a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years.
  • Selection will be made without regard to marital status, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.
  • You are committed to working around 20 hours per week in your GCCA studio.

Benefits

  • A free university-style studio at GCCA, where a minimum of 20 hours per week must be spent working. Fellows often interact with guests during GCCA’s public hours.
  • A $500 stipend for art supplies.
  • Complimentary classes and workshops at GCCA.
  • Mentorship from local artists including monthly critiques and advice about applying for a juried show while in the fellowship.
  • Participation in an exhibition in August-September including presentation of an ARTalk.
  • Opportunities for networking, collaboration, and participation in other local arts events.
  • Broad exposure as an artist in Greenville and beyond including managing a social media takeover of GCCA’s social platforms.

Click here to learn more and apply!

Jason Rapp

Want to exhibit at GCCA in 2024/2025?

Call issued for Main Gallery proposals

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, January 27, 2023

GCCA is currently seeking proposals to fill its exhibition schedule for the 2024/2025 calendar year.

GCCA's Main Gallery exhibitions strive to educate and inspire by promoting diverse ideas while encouraging innovative, contemporary approaches to visual arts. The Main Gallery provides approximately 2,000 square feet of exhibition space and has featured the work of local, regional, national, and all disciplines of the visual arts. Our movable gallery wall system allows for dynamic designs and fresh experiences for every exhibition. Each exhibition is on display for approximately two months. Please note that GCCA will not accept exhibition proposals submitted via email or traditional mail. All submissions must be completed via the online application form linked here. There is also a non-refundable $30 application fee to be submitted electronically with the application form (the fee aids with the operations of GCCA and its galleries). The application fee and proposal submission do not guarantee acceptance for an exhibition in GCCA’s Main Gallery. An exhibition agreement and additional information will be provided if the proposal is accepted. Contact Gallery Manager Ben Tarcson at ben@artcentergreenville.org if you have any questions.

Submitted material

Mural unveiling set for Freetown community in Greenville

Greenville Center for Creative Arts and Blank Canvas Mural Company will unveil a new mural at Freetown Community Center with an event on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, from 4-7 p.m.

The unveiling event will feature fun activities for the whole family, including live music with Fine Arts Center Jazz Studies students and food from Time to Taste Catering featuring chef Daniel López. GCCA contracted with Blank Canvas Mural Company and artist Adam Schrimmer for the mural design and implementation. Schrimmer facilitated conversations at Freetown Community Center with neighborhood residents to determine meaningful content and messaging for the artwork and to ensure the design captures the unique spirit and legacy of the Freetown community. The mural will be painted by Schrimmer and students from GCCA’s Aspiring Artists after-school art program, which takes place monthly at Freetown Community Center. The mural project is produced in collaboration with Greenville County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, with support from ScanSource Charitable Foundation and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts and is supported by funding provided to the South Carolina Arts Commission from a partnership with the S.C. Department of Education from American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds.
Greenville Center for Creative Arts is a non-profit organization that aims to enrich the cultural fabric of the community through visual arts promotion, education, and inspiration. For more information, visit www.artcentergreenville.org, call 864-735-3948, or check out GCCA on Facebook (Greenville Center for Creative Arts) & Instagram (@artcentergvl).

Jason Rapp

GCCA names recipients of Brandon Fellowship

Three Greenville-based #SCartists were revealed as Greenville Center for Creative Arts' incoming class of the Brandon Fellowship at its Annual Showcase on Aug. 5.

The fellowship is a 12-month program that aims to develop three emerging artists between the ages of 21 to 30 who represent the diversity of the Greenville visual arts community. Now in its eighth year, the program provides free studio space, a stipend for supplies, a supportive environment, mentorship, and art education, including professional development resources, to help these artists thrive in the next step of their education, career, or business. “We've had such strong candidates apply for the Brandon Fellowship this year, representing the breadth of talents and perspectives of young Greenville artists,” says Kevin Kao, the chair of the Brandon Fellowship selection committee. “We're so excited to present our new fellows and cannot wait to see the impact that they will have with GCCA as well as the greater Greenville community.”

The 2022/2023 Brandon Fellows

[caption id="attachment_50755" align="alignright" width="250"] (l-r) Orlando Corona, RaAmen Stallings, and Faith Hudgens. Click image to enlarge. GCCA photo by Antonio Modesto.[/caption] Orlando Corona is a Greenville-based oil painter and printmaker, born in Mexico. His artwork is based on his Mexican culture and as a first generation immigrant in the U.S. While only having 3 years of experience, he has been in several galleries since the age of 17, and has studied under several local artists. His favorite artists include Diego Rivera, a Mexican muralist; Posada, a printmaker; and Pablo Picasso. Orlando strives to create impactful art that can be shared with others. Art is his creative way of communicating his thoughts and speaking to the world. A self-taught painter and mixed-media artist, Faith Hudgens grew up in Greenville and has worked professionally as a highly regarded tattoo artist since establishing her practice in 2017. Her paintings are vibrant, emotional, and layered with spirituality. She has participated in exhibitions at Greenville Technical College and the Commerce Club. Faith is an uplifter in her community and volunteers regularly with Miracle Hill Ministries hosting art classes for young girls in foster care. Faith has also hosted PRIDE events with Upstate Pride SC and donates art to organizations that support women and the LGBTQ+ community. Faith’s overarching goal is to cultivate positive change through her art and specifically, to use art as a platform to propel Greenville forward in unity, cultural diversity, and minority inclusion. RaAmen (Rah-Mēn) Stallings Is an aspiring creative who is passionate about all forms of art. He is a graduate of both Greenville Senior High Academy and Greenville Technical College where he received an associate’s in Business Administration. Although he has worked professionally as a photographer since launching his business in 2020, RaAmen is now focused on developing his skills as a painter. He is committed to expanding his artistic practice and believes strongly in the power of art as a way to inspire and facilitate community and conversation. This year’s Brandon Fellowship selection committee included chair Kevin Kao, sculptor and Assistant Professor of Art at Furman University; Danielle Fontaine, encaustic artist and Brandon Fellowship Founder; Rhonda Rawlings, a GCCA board member and community director for Mill Village Ministries; Nick Burns, painter and mixed-media artist and alumnus of the Brandon Fellows class of 2020; Patricia DeLeon, painter and mixed-media artist; and Kara Bale, operations manager for GCCA who oversees the Fellowship program. “I couldn’t be more excited about our new fellows,” says Kara Bale, who oversees the program at GCCA. “It was a very challenging selection process as we had so many talented and deserving applicants, but I feel the committee did an excellent job and selected three individuals who strongly reflect GCCA’s mission to enrich the cultural fabric of our community. Each has already used their art to grow community and further important conversations so it will be amazing to see what they accomplish within the supportive structure of the fellowship.” Previous Brandon Fellows alumni have gone on to become full-time working artists, designers, participants in Artisphere and other festivals, graduate students, artists-in-residence, instructors, community muralists, published artists, grant recipients, and award winners.
An exhibition featuring the work of the 2021/2022 Brandon Fellows, Kim Le, Sienna Patterson, and Terrell Washington is on display through Sept. 28 in GCCA’s Main Gallery. Kim Le’s work comes from the ugly, wounded and abject parts of a young girl’s psyche, reappropriating the common language of cuteness that little girls use to cope with their pain to connect to the furious and wretched spirit of young girls and women everywhere who’ve been beaten down by the world around them. Through expressive imagery and journal entries, Sienna Patterson explores the concept of the fool's journey through the lens of her personal experiences. Depiction the trials of self and the price that we pay to develop the ego to surpass the ego and to transcend the ego. Terrell Washington’s “Genesis: Omens and Decisions of Existence,” features Abrahamic beliefs and highlights the realness of prayer, our blessings and curses, human nature, while putting people of melanin at the center of it all. This exhibition can be viewed during GCCA’s open hours Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. To learn more about the Brandon Fellowship, visit https://artcentergreenville.org/brandon-fellowship/.

About GCCA

Greenville Center for Creative Arts is a non-profit organization that aims to enrich the cultural fabric of the community through visual arts promotion, education, and inspiration. For more information, visit www.artcentergreenville.org, call 864-735-3948, or check out GCCA on Facebook (Greenville Center for Creative Arts) & Instagram (@artcentergvl).

Jason Rapp

Add your art to GCCA Annual Showcase

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, July 22, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET The Annual Showcase is GCCA’s premier event for artists and art lovers of all ages, featuring an exhibition highlighting the talent of GCCA’s own member artists alongside a special exhibit from the 2021/2022 Brandon Fellows, a display of youth artwork created during Summer Art Camps, live artist demos, the launch of GCCA's fall schedule of classes, visits with 25 studio artists, a kids’ craft activity provided by ReCraft, and more! Become a member of GCCA for a minimum donation of $50 and you can exhibit your artwork in the Annual Showcase. Your membership donation, due by July 22 at 11:59 p.m., reserves your space for inclusion in the 7th Annual Showcase exhibition opening on Friday, August 5 from 6-9 p.m. Click here to learn more about GCCA's 7th Annual Showcase, the entry requirements, and access the submission webform.

Jason Rapp

New leader announced for Greenville visual arts hub

GCCA makes decision after national search

An extensive national search led Greenville Center for Creative Arts to its next CEO, Jess Burgess.

Burgess (right) comes to GCCA from Dogtown Dance Theatre in Richmond, Virginia where she has served as executive director since 2015. Her résumé includes 15 years of experience in nonprofit administration and the performing arts. She will work closely with GCCA’s stakeholders to chart a strategic path forward for continued success. According to the organization's news release, Burgess combines a passion for engaging programming, strong fundraising abilities, and creativity, all of which are essential to being the leader of a thriving arts organization. “I am thrilled to make Greenville, South Carolina my new home and help shape the arts community for years to come. Greenville Center for Creative Arts is in an outstanding place to make a lasting impact on the lives of artists and those who love art, and I am excited to help GCCA excel in the future,” Burgess said. In the announcement, GCCA Board Chair Yvonne Julian said, “... GCCA will have an enthusiastic, energetic, and experienced leader who will maintain the momentum we’ve achieved in our pursuit of sustainability and expanded reach in the Greenville community and beyond.” The center's current CEO, Kim Fabian, announced her retirement last fall. Burgess received a bachelor's in dance and communications from James Madison University, and a professional certificate in fund development from the University of Richmond Institute for Philanthropy. Burgess serves on the board of directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Central Virginia chapter as well as that of the James Madison University College of Visual and Performing Arts. The public is invited to meet Burgess at GCCA’s 7th birthday celebration to be held at the May 6 First Friday event, which coincides with the opening of a new art exhibition.

About GCCA

Greenville Center for Creative Arts is a non-profit organization that aims to enrich the cultural fabric of the community through visual arts promotion, education, and inspiration. For more information, visit www.artcentergreenville.org, call 864.735.3948, or check out GCCA on Facebook (Greenville Center for Creative Arts) and Instagram (@artcentergvl).

Jason Rapp

#SCartists: Teach at GCCA this summer

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Thursday, March 24, 2022


If you are an experienced visual arts instructor with a creative idea and a desire to share, we want you to be part of our summer schedule!

GCCA is currently seeking proposals for Summer Session I from June 6-July 8 and Summer Session II from July 18-Aug. 19, 2022. We welcome proposals for five-week classes and one-, two-, and three-day workshops. We strive to offer classes in a variety of mediums and techniques and have a special need this summer for instruction in printmaking and jewelry as we anticipate that our new classroom spaces dedicated to those mediums will be up and running very soon! Some examples of what we’re looking for include:
  • Introductory level printmaking classes and workshops like monotype/monoprint press printing, collagraph printing, relief printing from linoleum, and drypoint intaglio printing using acrylic plates
  • Jewelry workshops, including polymer clay and resin jewelry making, fabricating dimensional metal jewelry, wiring wrapping for beginners, beginner metalsmithing, introduction to enameling, and soldering instruction
We also have the need for:
  • Watercolor classes and workshops
  • Instruction in different drawing mediums
GCCA instructors include both working artists and professional educators who possess a willingness to communicate technique and process, strong technical skills, a friendly and welcoming approach, and the ability to teach classes that are open to a range of skill levels. We encourage proposals from our current instructors—and always love to connect with new ones! We hope to hear from you soon. For more information, contact Liz Rundorff Smith, our program director, at liz@artcentergreenville.org. SUBMIT A PROPOSAL HERE.  

Submitted material

Upstate juried exhibition to highlight women of impact

City of Women opens Friday in Greenville

Exhibition runs March 4-April 27

Upstate artists are set to help celebrate impactful Greenville women in an exhibition starting Friday at Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA).

GCCA issued a call in late 2021 for art that highlights historical and contemporary women who have made a significant impact in the Greenville community. More than 50 artists submitted for judging by juror Jonel Logan, creative director of the McColl Center for Art + Innovation in Charlotte. Areas of recognition include healthcare and well-being, education, economic opportunity, science and technology, civic engagement, and (natch) arts and culture. This effort will culminate in a free public exhibition that will be featured through a virtual gallery on GCCA's website and in a special juried exhibition opening on First Friday, March 4, from 6-9 p.m. and on display through April 27. All appropriate entries will be included in the virtual gallery. Juror selections will be exhibited in GCCA’s Community Gallery and be eligible for $2,000 in prizes. Juror selections can be seen in GCCA’s Community Gallery. To view the virtual gallery and see all submissions, visit https://www.artcentergreenville.org/exhibitions/city-of-women. From March 4-6, the public can vote online for their favorite piece to receive a “People’s Choice” prize package of art supplies. Greenville Center for Creative arts is located at 101 Abney St. in Greenville. Greenville City of Women will run through April 27 on Tuesday-Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Provided images below. Click to enlarge. [gallery link="file" ids="49154,49155,49153"]  

Jason Rapp