Greenville Celebrates Artisphere’s 20th Anniversary with Clemson University
The city of Greenville is buzzing with excitement as Artisphere, the Upstate’s premier celebration of art and artists, gears up to mark its 20th anniversary. From May 10-12, downtown Greenville will transform into a vibrant hub of creativity, with Clemson University playing a prominent role in the festivities.
Clemson’s Involvement
Founded in 2003 with a mission to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality in South Carolina, Artisphere has grown into one of the nation’s most anticipated fine arts festivals, drawing over 70,000 visitors each year. Clemson University has been an integral part of the event since its inception and will continue to showcase its artistry and innovation at this year’s celebration.
The theme for Clemson’s interactive exhibit at Artisphere 2024 is “It’s a Clemson World.” Attendees can look forward to engaging activities such as an interactive touch-screen storyboard, a podcasting booth, and a “selfie” station where they can take photos resembling the cover of Clemson World magazine.
David Dryden, associate vice president for brand experience at Clemson, expressed the university’s commitment to bringing its best creative talents to Greenville for the festival. “Clemson has had a long-running presence at Artisphere, and we see a lot of value in continuing to showcase our innovative programs and people at this world-class event,” said Dryden.
Highlighting Clemson’s Creativity
Jesse Godfrey, Clemson’s executive creative director, emphasized the significance of anchoring activities around Clemson World magazine to enhance the university’s presence at Artisphere. “There are countless stories of artistry and innovation at Clemson, and we’re thrilled to bring some of them to Main Street Greenville for Artisphere ’24,” said Godfrey. The incorporation of Clemson World magazine as a storytelling platform aims to engage festival attendees and showcase what makes Clemson a unique and special place.
Clemson Artists at Artisphere
Several artists affiliated with Clemson University will be prominently featured at Artisphere’s 20th anniversary celebration. David Gerhard, an MFA alumnus and art faculty member at Clemson, has been selected as the juror for the “Artists of the Upstate Juried Exhibition.”
Among the artists chosen for the showcase are Ethan McKeller, an MFA student in Ceramics, Jessica Swank and Jo Carol Mitchell Rogers, both MFA alumnae, and Jonathan Bolton, an MFA alumnus and art faculty member. Glory Day Loflin, another MFA alumna, whose painting was featured on the Artisphere 2022 commemorative poster, will return to Artists Row this year.
Emerging Talents
David Tillinghast, an MFA alumnus known for his public art piece “P211.t45,” has been recognized as an Emerging Artist at Artisphere. Tillinghast’s artistic contributions, including “The Secret Book” – a beloved Clemson tradition, have solidified his place as a rising talent in the art world.
Additionally, festival attendees will have the opportunity to walk past the iconic “Ten Artispheres” sculpture by John Acorn, commemorating Artisphere’s 10th anniversary in 2014. The sculpture, located at the entrance to Falls Park, serves as a reminder of the enduring partnership between Clemson University and Artisphere.
A Celebration of Art and Innovation
As Greenville prepares to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Artisphere, Clemson University’s strong presence underscores the university’s commitment to fostering creativity and showcasing the talents of its artists, faculty, and alumni. The collaboration between Clemson and Artisphere continues to enrich the cultural landscape of the Upstate and inspire artistic excellence.
Art lovers and festival-goers alike can look forward to a weekend filled with creativity, innovation, and the vibrant spirit of collaboration between Clemson University and Artisphere.
