What an incredible weekend at Artisphere in downtown @cityofgreenvillesc ! The @clemsonuniversity College of Architecture, Art and Construction was proud to be represented across the festival through interactive exhibits, installations, artist showcases and alumni achievements.
Festival attendees experienced Clemson University exhibit tent featuring Student Media Art, the immersive architectural installation Taking Time to Pause and furniture design works. Visitors also explored hands-on demonstrations from the CAT Lab showcasing drone simulation technology and AI-powered negotiation exercises.
Across the festival, Clemson students, faculty and alumni were recognized in Artists Row, the Artists of the Upstate Juried Exhibition and the Contemporary Print Collective Demo Tent. Attendees also encountered Clemson’s lasting impact at the entrance to Falls Park through Ten Artispheres, the iconic public sculpture by former Department of Art chair John Acorn.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, supported our artists and celebrated the creativity and innovation of the Clemson community throughout the weekend. Design. Create. Build.
…one more big congrats to our BFA / BA / MFA graduates @clemsonvisualarts@clemsoncaac@clemsonuniversity on their degrees 🎓 We managed a couple post-ceremony photos & we’re enjoying seeing yours! Keep in touch!🧡🐅🧡
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#graduation #gotigers #clemsonvisualarts #clemsoncaac #clemsonuniversity 🎓
…congrats to all our @clemsonvisualarts@clemsoncaac@clemsonuniversity graduates in our BA Art, BFA Visual Art & MFA Visual Art degrees today! We’re expecting great things from you! We’re up here in the stands - come find us after the ceremony so we can congratulate you in person! Go Art Tigers!!🔥🐅🔥
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#graduation #gotigers #clemsonvisualarts #clemsoncaac #clemsonuniversity 🎓
The College of Architecture, Art and Construction will be well represented at this year’s Artisphere, the Upstate’s premier celebration of art and artists, with students, faculty and alumni featured throughout the Greenville, SC festival.
Visitors can connect with Clemson University’s interactive exhibit on Main Street, which will showcase:
- Selections from the Spring 2026 Student Media Art Festival presented by Department of Art faculty, Zen Cohen
- Taking Time to Pause: An immersive, architectural installation designed as a calming, reflective space inspired by nature, presented by Interim Director, Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture, Director, Community Research and Design Center (CR+DC) and Architecture faculty, Dan Harding
- An exhibition of furniture design works by Department of Art faculty, Alex Schechter’s student class held in 2025 fall
Clemson artists will also be featured prominently throughout the festival.
Artists Row
Selected from thousands of entries:
- Elizabeth B. Borowsky ‘00, BFA alumna
- Jon Bolton ’23, MFA alumnus
- Glory Day Loflin ‘23, MFA alumna
Artists of the Upstate Juried Exhibition
Selected artists:
- Liza Valero, BFA student
- Tanya Johnson, MFA student
- Rachel Updegraft, MFA student
- Madison Pate ‘23, BFA alumna
- Jo-Carol Mitchell Rogers ‘87, MFA alumna
- Jessica Swank ‘21, MFA alumna
Contemporary Print Collective Demo Tent
- Mary Claire Becker, faculty printmaking demonstrations
Festival attendees will also encounter Clemson’s artistic legacy at the entrance to Falls Park beneath Ten Artispheres, the permanent public sculpture by former Department of Art chair John Acorn. Installed in 2014 to commemorate Artisphere’s 10th anniversary, the large-scale aluminum work has become a signature landmark of the festival.
Join us this weekend for Artisphere: Arts. Music. Culture. Whether you’re in town for commencement or looking for a Mother’s Day weekend outing, see us on Main Street and celebrate with the Clemson Family.
Reflecting on the third Annual Clemson Art Book Fair & Zine Fest
Earlier this month, the @clemsonarchlibrary welcomed the third Annual Clemson Art Book Fair & Zine Fest highlighted student and faculty work through books, zines, and printed media, emphasizing the value of experiencing art in a physical format. The event explored themes of growth, repetition and the lasting impact of shared ideas.
See the @clemsonvisualarts Instagram bio to read the full article, “Students showcased creativity at the third Annual Clemson Art Book Fair & Zine Fest.”
Twin storytellers are ready to bring their imaginations to life
Clemson art seniors soon to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in visual arts with an area of study in graphic design, Maya and Marena Landeo are turning their passion for animation into careers built on creativity, collaboration and storytelling. Their Clemson Experience helped shape their artistic voices and prepare them for the next chapter in the animation industry.
See the @clemsonvisualarts Instagram bio to read the full article “Animated and educated: Twin art grads Maya and Marena Landeo can’t wait to tell their stories.”
Clemson artists are in the spotlight at ArtFields
Art students and alumni from @clemsonuniversity are featured in this year’s prestigious @artfieldssc festival, highlighting the creativity, talent and impact of our Visual Arts community. From current students to accomplished alumni, artists continue to represent Clemson through exceptional work across the Southeast, the nation and internationally.
Artwork Images
1 - “Conversation Piece” by MFA student, Rachel Lane Updegaft
2 - “Everything and Nothing Has Changed” by MFA student, Tyson Gentry
3 - “Over the Land and Home of the Free and Brave” by BFA Alumna, Felicia Greenlee ‘93
4 - “Folding” by MFA Alumnus, Ethan McKellar, ‘25
5 - “Blu Time” by MFA Alumnus, Deighton Abrams ‘16
See the @clemsonvisualarts Instagram bio to read the full article “Clemson University Artists in the Spotlight: Student and Alumni Work Featured at ArtFields.”
Attention CAAC Graduates 🎓
You’re invited to a reception in the Lee Gallery following the undergraduate ceremony.
✨Bring your family
🍪Enjoy light refreshments
📍Celebrate your big day with us!
College of Architecture, Art and Construction
Graduation Reception
May 7, 2026
Drop-In
4 - 5:30 p.m.
Lee Gallery
Congratulations to our 2026 Department of Art honors and award winners.
Prince Ruben Odimeug Elenwo, BFA and Jada Garrick, BFA- Department of Art Service Award recipients
Jessica Downs, MFA - John Acorn Award in Graduate Fine Arts Studio
Joel Pasquarelli, MFA - Cecilia Voelker Award in Graduate Art History
Liza Valero, BFA and Sally Cease, BA - Harold Cooledge Award in Undergraduate Art History
Alex Pia, BFA and Alexander Hernandez, BA - Bob Hunter Award in Undergraduate Fine Arts Studio
Are you ready to get ahead this summer?
We have a great lineup of online courses to help you work toward an Art Minor or General Education requirements!
Our summer schedule is designed with you in mind.
Advantages
• All students and majors are welcome - there are no restrictions.
• Courses are offered online and asynchronous unless otherwise noted- convenient for those returning home, working, or studying abroad.
• Work toward an Art Minor (15 credits) or advance your graduation
date.
• The state of SC allows in-state undergraduates taking 12 or more
credits to use one of their semesters for Life or Palmetto scholarships.
SUMMER I
AAH 1010 Survey of Art and Architectural History I
ART 1510 Foundations in Visual Art I
ART 2100 Art Appreciation
ART 2150 Beginning Graphic Design
ART 3150 Graphic Design
ART 4150 Advanced Graphic Design
SUMMER II
ART 1550 Foundations in Digital Art
ART 2100 Art Appreciation
ART 2150 Beginning Graphic Design
ART 3150 Graphic Design
ART 4150 Advanced Graphic Design
LONG SUMMER
ART 4890 Art & Art History Internship (*restricted to art majors & requires pre-approval of instructor)
Deadline Late Registration by:
Monday, May 13 for Summer I
Friday, July 2 for Summer II
Monday, May 13 for Long Summer(Art Internship)
Check the summer schedule for course details. Contact Lori Gugan, [email protected] with any registration questions.
Celebrating the Bachelor of Fine Arts Seniors. Spotlight: Kai Williams
Meet Kai Williams, a BFA senior at Clemson University, exploring multiple forms of art from photography to film and beyond.
What inspired his passion for art:
His passion for art began early in childhood and has grown over time. He was drawn to both the creative process and the reactions his work inspired in others. “It is just so satisfying to create a harmony between your mind and hands into a highly physical or visual experience.”
How Clemson has supported his career:
The art faculty has helped him not only develop skills but also better understand himself as an artist. Through their guidance, he has been pushed to explore deeper ideas and expand beyond simply completing assignments. “They all have in some way helped me start to figure out who I really am and what I truly like to do.” He now feels a renewed creative energy across different mediums including photography, drawing and video.
Favorite part of his experience:
He has had many meaningful experiences, but one standout was traveling to New York with his peers. It was his first time flying and traveling far from home, which made the experience especially impactful. Visiting galleries, museums and creating memories with friends helped him grow both personally and creatively. He also values working with film and darkroom photography, as well as building strong connections with others in the program.
Organizations and involvement:
While he has not formally worked with many organizations, he has found community through his classes and creative collaborations. He is involved with the Media Arts Festival and is part of an artist collective called The Peanut Gallery.
His goals for the future:
He has a wide range of creative goals, including traveling more, creating films, developing a video game and working on a graphic book or series. More than anything, he hopes to create work that reflects his personal experiences and connects with others on a deeper level. “I want people to actually learn about me rather than just think, oh, pretty colors.”
Celebrating the Bachelor of Fine Arts Seniors. Spotlight: Hannah Vickery
Meet Hannah Vickery, a BFA senior at Clemson University with a focus in painting.
What inspired her passion for art:
Her passion for art began to take shape in middle school when she attended Southwood Academy of the Arts. While she had always felt a connection to art, this experience helped her realize how much she truly loved it. With strong support from her parents and later her teachers at T L Hanna High School, she continued to pursue art through as many classes as possible. “Going to a school that focused on the arts helped me realize how much I loved it.”
Why she chose Clemson:
Clemson felt like a natural choice because of her strong ties to South Carolina and her family connections to the University. With both her aunt and brother attending Clemson, she already felt at home. She also knew from the beginning that she wanted to be part of the art program, which made her decision even clearer.
How Clemson has supported her career:
Clemson helped her take her art to the next level and see it as more than just a hobby. Through a variety of classes and faculty guidance, she has been pushed to grow and explore new approaches. “The program helped me focus on what I really want to do as an artist and pushed my practice further than I would have on my own.”
Favorite part of her experience:
Her favorite part has been being encouraged to step outside of her comfort zone and try new forms of art. Even when challenges came, she found that each experience helped her improve and think differently about her work.
Her goals for the future:
She hopes to build her own art business and continue developing her work while sharing it with others. She is also interested in exhibiting in galleries and collaborating with local artists. “Being able to continue making art and sharing it with others is something I’m really excited about.”
