Spartanburg Art Museum (SAM) and PAL - Play. Advocate. Live Well. are seeking proposals from artists, artisans, designers, and other creatives to make art on trees along the brand-new River Birch public walking trails in The Dan Trail System. This exciting new public art project, Creativitrees, coincides with the opening of PAL’s trail extension opening spring 2023.
LYDIA BROOK
Lydia Brook is a pseudonym used by a local artist who prefers to work anonymously. "Lydia" has lived in Spartanburg for over 15 years and has over two decades of artistic experience in a variety of media, from traditional drawing and painting, to digital art and graphic design, to fiber arts such as crochet and sewing, and most recently, woodworking and carpentry. They enjoy finding humor in everyday life.
NANCY CORBIN
Nancy Corbin was born in Ohio and moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1976 with her husband Mike as they started a family, and each began a budding career in artistic fields. Both became teachers, though they continued pursuing their personal interests. Mike became a photographer while Nancy has cultivated her love for painting.
​
As a young girl, Nancy studied art at the Toledo Museum of Art Saturday School. She continued to study visual art, arts education, and arts administration at University of Cincinnati (BFA), University of South Carolina (MA), New York University (Certificate of Arts Administration), Banff School for Fine Arts, Savannah College of Art and Design, The Hemlock Studio, Arrowmont School for Art and Craft, Wild Acres Retreat, The Creativity Workshop, and Converse College.
​
DIVINITY
South Carolina-based self-taught painter, Logan Foster a.k.a "Divinity" has worked as a professional artist for several years. Originally a poet, Foster blends her writing skills with her four years of painting experience.
​
Foster uses media such as acrylic and oil paints to create a cosmic experience for the viewer. She is inspired by Mother Earth, the Divine feminine, and the color blue. As an artist, she works to improve the representation of Black/Indigenous peoples in American art. Foster believes that art has the ability to shift the consciousness collective in a positive direction.
CHRISTINA DIXON
Originally from Nashville TN, Christina graduated with honors from Furman University in 2015. In addition to teaching classes for Spartanburg Art Museum's Art School and managing the ceramics studio, which she has done since 2017, Christina shows her work in art fairs and galleries across the Southeast. She also operates her own ceramics studio, where she specializes in functional electric and wood-fired stoneware as well as custom horsehair raku commissioned pieces for anyone who would like a special commemoration of their equine friends.
​
In addition to her studio practice, Christina serves the community as Spartanburg Art Museum's Ceramics Studio Manager and ceramics instructor, teaching both multi-week intensive courses as well as one-day workshops.
FELICITY DUNBAR
bio coming soon
ALISSA HECKEL
Alissa Heckel is a fiber artist that resides in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She graduated from Limestone University with a master's in fine arts and a minor in Graphic design. Alissa has continuously worked in the arts and heavily supports fellow local artists in Spartanburg. She has always been interested in the arts and has continued with this passion to present day.
JADE HILLARY
Jade Hillary is a 31-year-old native of the upstate. She recently transitioned from Greenville, SC to Spartanburg, SC. She was born in Wiesbaden, Germany and then moved to the states as a young child. From a small age, she has always been a creative. This has ranged from painting, drawing, writing, collage, and many crafts in between. She attended Rollings School of the Arts 6th-8th grade in Summerville, SC. She has spent the better part of the last decade working in and around the music industry. While being around music and helping make events happen is a great passion for her, she has begun to delve back into the fine arts. Her hope is to speak to people through her art, healing herself and those around her.
MARY LOU HIGHTOWER
Dr. Mary Lou Hightower received her Doctor of Education Degree from University of South Carolina in Curriculum and Instruction with major emphasis in Art. She has retired from Spartanburg School District Six system where she served as the District Art Coordinator and visual arts teacher for 30 years. She recently retired from University of South Carolina Upstate as Professor Emeritus of Art Education in the Department of Fine Arts and Communication Studies where she created the Bachelor of Art in Art Education. She is a practicing watermedia artist and signature member of South Carolina Watermedia Society. For the past fifteen years, she has been a reader of the Advanced Placement for Art and Design Portfolios College Board. For the past twenty years, Dr. Hightower served as an elected school board trustee of Spartanburg School District Six, Spartanburg, SC. In November 2022, South Carolina Art Education Association selected her as the award winner for the 2022 Lifetime Achievement in Art Education.
LOTTIE HUTSON
Charlotte "Lottie" Hutson is a third-generation teacher with education in her blood. She has a passion for teaching adults and children how to create artwork through a diverse understanding of materials, techniques, and processes. She is a native of Spartanburg and seeks to fulfill her purpose by impacting her community through supporting art education.
​
In addition to her studio practice, Lottie also serves as Spartanburg Art Museum's Director of Education, managing the Art School and the youth outreach internship program The Colors Collab.
LEIA JOHNSON
Leia Johnson is a 19 year old graduate from The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities and a Chemistry major at Converse University. She lives in Campobello, South Carolina. Her work is influenced by natural forms, convoluted visuals, and the relationships between industrialization and natural biomes.
LADY PLUUTO
Lady Pluuto is a self taught artist based in Spartanburg, SC. Through her art, she provides places of solitude for those who acknowledge their journey through spiritual enlightenment.
​
She has a studio and is on the management board at the Artists Collective | Spartanburg .
SCRAP HUB CITY
Adrianne Pender and Virginia McLean founded SCRAP to promote artistic expression and environmental awareness through creative reuse. They hope SCRAP will bring together anyone who wants to make a creative and environmental impact in Spartanburg. Adrianne is a mixed-media artist. Her work includes collage and painting. Virginia creates cyanotype, mixed media, and textile art. Her work has been seen in the Habitat for Humanity Upcycled Art Show and The Art of Social Justice Art Show.