February 2011

Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, Offers Works by SC Governor’s School Art Faculty

Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, will present an exhibit of works by the Studio Art faculty members of the SC Governor’s School of the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, SC, on view in the Milliken Art Gallery from Feb. 9 through Mar. 8, 2012. A closing reception will be held on Mar. 8, from 6:30-8:30pm.

The exhibition will feature work from Joe Thompson, Ben Gilliam, Carlyn Tucker and Paul Yanko.

Originally from Athens, GA, Joe Thompson came to the Governor’s School from the University of Georgia where he served on the faculty of the Art Department. He received an MFA Degree from Clemson University, and has exhibited his work at the South Carolina State Museum, the W.J. Thompson Gallery at the University of Georgia, Coker College, Anderson College, Lander University, and the Greenville County Art Museum. Thompson recently received the Rosen Award for outdoor sculpture at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He teaches Sculpture, 3-D Design and Drawing at the Governor’s School.

Ben Gilliam came to the Governor’s School from Philadelphia, PA, where he received his MFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University. He has taught at the University of the Arts in the Foundations Department and the Pre-College Program. Gilliam was also a Metals and Jewelry Instructor at Rowan University. His work has been shown in numerous national exhibitions and seen in Metalsmith and American Style magazines. He was awarded the Individual Artist Fellowship by the South Carolina Arts Commission for his work in the Crafts area.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, Carlyn Tucker received her BFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University. She received her MFA from the University of Washington. She has taught in a variety of contexts, including the Cornish College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Seattle, the University of Northern Iowa, and The Greenville County Art Museum School in Greenville, SC. Tucker’s work has been exhibited often and is in a number of both public and private collections including the Seattle Art Museum, The National Gallery of Canada, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Paul Yanko holds a MFA in Painting from Kent State University and a BFA in Illustration/Graphic Design from the Cleveland Institute of Art. He has had extensive teaching experience ranging from foundation studies in 2D design, painting, and drawing to advanced studio course work. Since 1996, he has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Art, Kent State University and Oberlin College. A faculty member of Governor’s School since 2004, he has participated in solo and group exhibitions on both the national and regional level. Yanko’s work is in personal and public collections, including the Cleveland Clinic and the Medical University of South Carolina.

Founded in 1889 and located in the heart of Spartanburg, South Carolina - home to six colleges and 13,000 college students - Converse helps women develop the skills necessary to balance a full life. Students develop their unique voices through our challenging liberal arts curriculum, century-old honor tradition, and Daniels Center for Leadership and Service. Our close-knit residential community cultivates a spirit of sisterhood and enterprise among women diverse in backgrounds and interests. Across the board - from art and design to science, business, music and education - professors actively mentor and challenge students through spirited discussions inside and outside of the classroom.

For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, call the gallery at 864/596-9181 or visit (www.converse.edu/millikenartgallery/).

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