Wallace Street

2311 Wallace Street

Southern Curiosities
Other

My name is Jessica and I am a nature artist and taxidermist based out of Irmo, SC. Each piece I create is thoughtfully crafted using sustainably sourced specimens and botanicals, transformed into shadow boxes, terrariums, and reimagined vintage displays. I draw my inspiration from the elegance of Victorian taxidermy, the storytelling of Walter Potter, the imagination of Walt Disney, and the endless creativity of Mother Nature herself. Through Southern Curiosities, my hope is to spark a little wonder, curiosity, and connection to the natural world—one tiny creature, one whimsical creation at a time.

2300 Block of Wallace

Rustic Craftsmen
Woodwork

My husband and I have been creating furniture and home decor for over 30 years, we've been in retail (including custom orders) for 8 years. We have a wide range of variety in our pieces - anywhere from rustic modern to shabby chic.

2300 Block of Wallace

maneater apparel
Fiber Arts/Textiles

maneater apparel is a woman owned and operated small business creating sustainable, one-of-a-kind and hand-bleached feminist statement pieces. our upcycled flannels, deconstructed denim pieces and unisex t-shirts are available in inclusive sizing up to 4xl. we also offer empowering accessories including tote bags, tumblers, mugs, stickers, bumper stickers and more!

2300 Block of Wallace

Mon Petit Chou Art & Designs
Other

At my booth, I will be offering a curated selection of pressed-flower artwork, prints, and botanical-inspired home décor and gifts, all created under my studio brand, Mon Petit Chou Art & Design. Each piece begins with locally grown flowers that I carefully press and preserve by hand to capture their natural color and form.

My product collection includes:

Original pressed-flower artworks framed under glass, featuring natural botanicals arranged into whimsical designs and floral compositions.

Fine art prints professionally photographed and printed in the U.S. from my original works, available in various sizes (5x7, 8x10, and 11x14).

Pressed-flower ornaments made with real dried blooms, encased in glass or resin — seasonal bestsellers and collector favorites.

Resin coasters and small decorative pieces incorporating preserved flowers, adding a touch of nature to everyday living.

Greeting cards, wrapping paper, and art kits featuring my original botanical illustrations and photography.

Educational and creative kits, such as Flower Pressing & Floral Art Workbooks, designed to inspire others to explore the art of preservation and floral design.

Each piece celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the art of slow, mindful making. My work emphasizes sustainability, using recycled or natural materials whenever possible, and is inspired by the belief that bringing nature indoors fosters peace, creativity, and connection.

2300 Block of Wallace

JowThrows
Ceramics

I make and made pottery and ceramics. I've been doing this for 10+ years, attended many events had have even won 2nd place for an armature prize in the SC Stair Fair. I make anything and everything, it all depends on what inspires me on that particular day. I take inspiration from daily life, nature and personal experience.

I am JowThrows Pottery, and here everything is one of a kind, with you in mind.

2300 Block of Wallace

Sunnyside Prints
Other

Anna Brannin began block printing tea towels in the summer of 2020. What started as a distraction became a hobby, then a business, and Sunnyside Prints was born in the fall of 2023. Anna enjoys dreaming up fun, colorful designs and printing them on various textiles and paper goods, especially notecards, bookmarks, and the classic tea towels that started it all.

2300 Block of Wallace

Aaron Swindell
Painting

I started painting with acrylics when I was 15 years old. I have always been attracted to abstract art because of its ability to move people on different levels. The same work can evoke feelings of tranquility in one person and exuberance in another with neither reaction contradicting the artist's intent.

Over the last 30 years I have experimented with mixed medium, but have mostly stayed close to working on canvas.

My work has been displayed and sold through Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts in Los Angeles, California.

I never want to become comfortable or complacent in my work, but want to continue to grow as an artist and explore other disciplines.

2300 Block of Wallace

BirthCraft
Fiber Arts/Textiles

I’m a linocut printmaker who specializes in earthy and whimsical functional art and home goods. My products include: hand pulled and carved linocut prints on fabric (which I sell as patches/prints and some of which are framed), hats, jewelry, plushes, ornaments, and upcycled hand printed clothing. My designs focus around ecology, cryptids, and earth based spirituality. I am also a tarot reader and have success vending my art and doing readings at my booth in tandem with one another.

2227 Wallace Street

One Little Potter
Ceramics

I try to relay my love of nature in my pieces.

2233 Wallace Street

Paul R. Moore
Ceramics

I've crafted vessels of clay for the past 22 years. Of all my work, the Congaree Swamp has been my greatest inspiration......Nature's Temple.

2200 Block of Wallace

Biscuit Eatn’ Dog
Other

Hartsville, SC native who makes all natural pet treats for dogs and cats.

2200 Block of Wallace

Bill Shoemaker
Painting

My art bio is limited as I am retired from sales management all my life but am well traveled and have always visited art galleries and museus where ever I have traveled throughout the world. My philosophy has changed from doing realism with watercolors to an approach that encompasses color juxtuposed with nonrepresentational hard edge imaging. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and hopefully my art will bring some joy to a truly outstanding venue and the wonderful folks that attend year after year. Thanks, Bill

2200 Block of Wallace

Maddie Acciardo Art
Painting

I am a Columbia, South Carolina native who has been painting for the past ten years. Working primarily with acrylics on canvas, I use a distinctive stretching technique with various brush sizes to build layers of texture and emotion in my abstract pieces.

My work is often inspired by photographs I've taken during my travels - places that hold deep personal meaning. While I know the stories and memories behind each image, I don't expect viewers to recognize specific locations. Instead, my hope it that they're simply moved by the beauty and diversity of our world, and make their own emotional connection to the piece, providing a sense of connection through color, form, and atmosphere.

2200 Block of Wallace

Susanne Sievers
Ceramics

Susanne started working with clay about 16 years ago. Each piece that is made has its own unique qualities. Her love of gardening is a strong element when creating her work. She is best know for her whimsical toad houses.

2200 Block of Wallace

A Peddler’s Emporium
Mixed Media

A Peddler’s Emporium is a four-year-old project spearheaded by Nicolette Bryan and John O’Connell. Inspired by a constant desire to create, Peddlers traverses into a collection of of different media, focusing on a funky, nostalgic, and whimsical flair. Nico and John specialize in custom tufted rugs, crocheted hats and gloves, handmade jewelry, bead art, resin craft, and acrylic painting.

2200 Block of Wallace

New Leaf Reimagined
Glasswork

I am a local artist who enjoys creating handcrafted stained glass decor and unique wire-wrapped jewelry inspired by the elements and beauty of nature.

2311 Wallace Street

Soapbox Miniatures
Mixed Media

Soapbox miniatures started out as Sealine Soap Company in 2021, like many at the time to cure Covid boredom. After two years the business began to add cereal box style surprises to bath bombs and soaps which snowballed into its own polymer clay side hustle and Soapbox Miniatures was born. Caroline Fields the owner and only hands on deck is a graduate of the College of Charleston Studio Arts program and a lover of tiny things and self care.

2300 Block of Wallace

Kirstin Dow
Ceramics

Kirstin Dow has been working with ceramics for over 15 years. Her primarily functional work emphasizes interactions of glazes and surface textures to create unique pieces for everyday enjoyment. In 2024, one of her pieces was awarded first place among amateur ceramics at the SC State Fair.

2300 Block of Wallace

JD Davis Abstract Artist
Painting

I am a retired businessman and a proud combat veteran of the Vietnam War. I live. I live in rural Saluda County. I stared painting after I retired to have something to do. I would have never have dream I would come to love it so much. The creative process in abstract painting for me is very therapeutic. It is a life's journal through paint texture and form.

I seek not to project my ideas and emotions, but to elicit those of the viewer. That is the way I connect with them.

2300 Block of Wallace

Glass Moxie
Glasswork

For almost 4 years I have been creating stained glass art and wearables. I like to build on the existing beauty of each piece of glass, bringing to life images that evoke a mixture of nostalgia and modernism, sometimes within the same piece. Last May I won the NCMA choice award at FUSE market hosted by the Metal Mavens at NCMA in Winston-Salem.

2300 Block of Wallace

Barbara Eleazer
Other

I have always had a passion for creating handcrafted items. Several years ago, I found some old windows on the side of the road and started making glass on glass mosaics. I enjoy making faces and other whimsical pieces.

2300 Block of Wallace

Seven Moon Mystic Henna
Other

Seven Moon Mystic weaves together Middle Eastern heritage and modern healing practices to create a truly relaxing and transformative festival experience. Using all-natural henna paste, hand-mixed in Columbia, South Carolina, artist Catherine Baz adorns festivalgoers with intricate designs that last up to two weeks. Add a touch of magic to your festival journey with elegant henna art, shimmering glitter tattoos, and vibrant face painting—each crafted to celebrate beauty, culture, and self-expression.

2300 Block of Wallace

Charleston Slate Works
Other

My name is Trey Smith and I am the owner and artisan of Charleston Slate Works. I’ve been in business since 2019. I am a Charleston native and live in Charleston with my wife Brooke and dog Ailin. I did live in Columbia all through middle and high school. Go Skyhawks!! I am a graduate of College of Charleston and for 25 years was a full time musician. Now I take historic building material and turn it into art! My motto is “History Meets Art”. Hope to see you soon!

2225 Wallace Street

Charleston ECO Jewelry
Jewelry

I started Charleston ECO Jewelry about 15 years ago. I was introduced to the Tagua seed by my brother who is a missionary in South America. His friends taught me how to make jewelry. Since the beginning of my journey, we have been able to put roofs on houses, put windows in homes that never had them before and little by little try to improve the quality of life for my friends/instructors. A portion of my income goes back to the two families that taught me how to make jewelry.

I create jewelry from the Tagua seedpod, a palm species found along the equator worldwide. My raw materials are sourced specifically from South America. My bracelets are made from slices of the seedpod that have been strung on elastic. My earrings are also pieces of the Tagua; some styles I weave and group together in different shapes and forms and in other styles I use a single slice to create a simple but elegant look. My necklaces are strung on waxed cotton line (for durability) in various styles and sizes. I use my knowledge of macramé and knotting to make unique one-of-a-kind pieces. Many of my pieces are metal free and are extremely lightweight.

The natural color of Tagua is ivory, bone or snow white. Tagua is referred to as “Vegetable Ivory” since it resembles and feels like ivory. After dying the seed organically, I am able to create fun vibrant pieces.

2231 Wallace Street

Clay Burnette
Fiber Arts/Textiles

CLAY BURNETTE is a self-taught pine needle basketmaker who has been coiling longleaf pine needles for over 48 years . He has exhibited his work in over 260 venues throughout the US and abroad. In 2017, his work was included in Rooted, Revived, Reinvented: Basketry in America, which traveled for three years to eight venues in the US. In 2019, his work received the Award of Excellence by the National Basketry Organization (NBO), an award he also received in 2013. In 2000, his work was selected for inclusion in two significant exhibitions: Contemporary International Basketry, which toured the United Kingdom for two years; and 100 Years/100 Artists: Views of the 20th Century in SC Art, at the SC State Museum. His work is included in numerous public and private collections.

He has exhibited his baskets at the Smithsonian Craft Show, Philadelphia Craft Show, ACC Atlanta Craft Show, ACC Charlotte Craft Show, SOFA New York, SOFA Chicago and has been included in numerous print publications. In 2013, his work was included in Tradition/Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft & Traditional Art, an exhibition that toured the southeastern US for six years. He is the recipient of the SC Arts Commission’s Craft Fellowship for 2022, an award he also received in 1988. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with AS, BAIS, and MLIS degrees and resides in Columbia, SC.

2200 Block of Wallace

Chilly Waters
Ceramics

Chilly Waters is an imaginarian whose creativity is channeled into clay - both throwing and sculpting. His thrown work focusses mostly on functional pieces while his sculptures are 3D representations of his imagination in action. Prior to diving into the wonderful world of clay, he played with broken glass. Mostly in the forms of stained glass, fused glass, blown glass and mosaics.

He finds inspiration in listening to people and observing what they say or do. Often times when he hears a word or a phrase, he visualizes it in his mind’s eye and has to create a 3D image of it. He also sees discarded "junk" and wonders what it could be if it had a second chance to reach it’s full potential. Once an idea is realized, he grabs a chunk of clay and starts to create.

His goal is to invoke feelings of joy or curiosity. Well, that and to become a unicorn herder or a Marvel superhero - whichever comes first.

2200 Block of Wallace

Coastal Creations by K&S
Jewelry

We are a local small business and have been in SC for 3 years. Since moving here we have grown our business substantially by attending many events in the area and hope to expand to online in the future. We source our wood from other small businesses rather than those big box stores. We are firm believers in keeping our hard earned money in our communities. Any painted item you see is hand painted. We love custom orders. We are most proud when we take a recipe in your loved ones writing and engrave that onto a cutting board. Those make the most memorable gifts. We would love to meet with you and design something special. We look forward to meeting you.

2200 Block of Wallace

Wintu Clay Works
Ceramics

Debbie is a clay artist who sculpts animals with personalities and magical woodland creatures in entertaining situations. With mother nature as her muse, she draws a lot of her inspiration from nature and wildlife, often incorporating imagery and repurposed, ethically sourced materials into her whimsical creations. Imagine a world where chimps are fortune tellers or trolls apologize with bouquets. Entertaining ideas like these are what keeps her playing with mud!

2200 Block of Wallace

Palmetto Pottery - Raku and Alternative Fired Ceramics
Ceramics

Mike Van Houten is a Columbia, South Carolina–based raku artist and the owner of Palmetto Pottery. Working at the fast, fiery edge of the kiln, Mike chases raku’s signature crackle, carbon linework, and smoky gradients to create clean-profile vessels and sculptural forms with tactile surfaces. His process blends traditional Japanese raku methods with modern glaze experimentation, resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrate spontaneity and craft. Through Palmetto Pottery, Mike produces small-batch work, accepts select commissions, and hosts approachable raku firings and workshops that invite people to experience the thrill of the pull. When he’s not at the kiln, he’s testing clays and glazes, refining techniques, and sharing practical know-how with fellow makers.

2200 Block of Wallace

Michael Irwin Photography
Photography

I got my first camera 7 years ago and was instantly hooked. I love nature and art and it has been the perfect way to blend my two passions. I have now been a full time nature photographer for 2 years and a regular vendor at the Soda City Market. I am excited to continue growing here in South Carolina. I have been featured in Kansas Living Magazine, a regular contributor to Kansas Outdoor Magazines, as well as top 5 and Editors choice in the 2020 Samsung National Geographic photography contest. I love what I do and I am proud to showcase the beauty of South Carolina and beyond.

2200 Block of Wallace

Copper Loft Designs
Jewelry

Copper Loft Designs came into existence when a hail storm damaged our roof in 2014. While having our shingles replaced, copper flashing, which my husband decided to save, was discovered around our chimneys. After our last child went to college in 2020, I began cutting pieces of the copper, painting them, and making them into earrings. Since then, we have acquired roofing copper from several old buildings (some almost 100 years old), and so their stories live on and our business thrives, combining both history and creative up-cycing.

2200 Block of Wallace

xoxoJLo Crochet
Fiber Arts/Textiles

Jessica Lopez (JLo) is the artist behind xoxoJLo Crochet. A Columbia native, she discovered her passion for crochet in 2010 and has been HOOKED since. In 2021 she switched from the life of a public school teacher, to that of a full-time artist, a long time dream.

Known for her whimsical, wonderfully weird, and high-quality handcrafted pieces, JLo pours her heart into every stitch. Her mission is simple yet powerful: “to spread happiness, one stitch at a time.”

Grateful to live the artist’s life, JLo gives back whenever she can—donating her items or a portion of her sales to local and regional fundraisers and charities. Causes closest to her heart include women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, no-kill animal shelters, mental health initiatives, and organizations supporting those with chronic illnesses and disabilities, including muscular dystrophy, which she personally navigates.

You’ll find JLo, with her husband Vinnie at her side, vending at markets and events across SC.

2311 Wallace Street

Adam Corbett
Painting

Adam Corbett is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and visual artist from Lexington, South Carolina. His work is often whimsical, comes with a punchline, or fun story, and his subjects include wildlife and made up characters. He likes to experiment with various mediums in a variety of formats focusing always on exploration, play, and following his muse.

2300 Block of Wallace

Vintage & Knots, Barbara Windham
Fiber Arts/Textiles

I first participated in the Cottontown Art Crawl in March 2025, and it was fantastic! My daughter Laura hosted me at her Franklin St. home, but as she no longer lives in Cottontown I'm now happily anticipating meeting and making friends with a new CAC host, should I be selected for 2026! Fiber art is my medium, specifically macrame. In the intervening years between discovering macrame in the 70's and recently picking it back up, my family and career became my primary focus with no time allotted for creative pursuits. I'm ever thankful that in 2016, Laura's enthusiasm for a macrame piece she found on Pinterest struck a match to my long-dormant artist side! I love using natural fibers to make wall hangings on unusual, mostly vintage items, and since retiring in 2021 I am rarely without a work-in-progress. I find macrame to be very grounding; it is good for my mental and physical health. It feels good to have reignited my passion and creative joy in macrame!

2300 Block of Wallace

Swirly Girl Arts
Mixed Media

Swirly Girl Arts are local artists Pat "Trish" Gillam and Kimber Carpenter. Known for their whimsical art, you can find anything from Trish's Scrappy Girl originals to Kimber's robot paintings.

2300 Block of Wallace

Clara Wythe Art
Painting

Clara Wythe is a gouache painter based in the historic town of Camden, South Carolina. Surrounded by large southern properties, she finds inspiration in the rhythms of the outdoors and the traditions of southern life. Her work centers on wildlife, hunting culture, and the small delicacies of the like, balancing earthy warmth against clean, traditional space. Her work comes from life spent outside - whether it be in the woods, on the water, or chasing after her daughter. Painting is her way of honoring the beauty in the small details and the traditions that shape the life around her.

Currently you will find her working on a variety of projects. Her career began in miniature landscapes, so you will see an anniversary collection dedicated to those roots. You will also see an exploration of the use of gouache paints on canvas, and a step in to extra large works for client statement pieces. But at the core she believes that wild game is a fine art. And that sharing the chase, the rush, the stillness of the sport of wildlife is sharing a part of a southern (wo)man’s heart.

She has always had a passion for art, but found painting during her solo days in her 2020 first solo apartment. And from there found her peace on river trips and quail hunts and decided that to make a happy home, filled with wildlife and our hunting heros. Since then she has participated in several shows with the Kershaw Arts Center, and recently with The Scouted Studio in Charleston and Wofford College Alumni.

2300 Block of Wallace

Alicia Leeke Fine Art
Painting

Alicia Leeke is a South Carolina based, fine art painter incorporating research-related imagery into her artwork. Originally a biology major and former graphic designer, she uses digital technology, multi-layer photography and collage to hand paint her impressionistic works of art.

Leeke was awarded grants by the Joan Mitchell Foundation in New York City; the South Carolina Arts Commission; and a grant by the Charleston Scientific and Cultural Education Fund to produce a traveling exhibition entitled: View From Under the Microscope: Science-based Learning Through Art.

A classically trained mural artist and accredited visual arts educator, she is available for teaching a variety of classes to adults as well as students in the public school system.

She is an international, award-winning artist whose work is collected around the globe from New York City and Finland to Austria and Dubai.

2300 Block of Wallace

Sekelle Nathan – Decor Appeal | J.O.A.T. Artwork
Mixed Media

Sekelle Nathan is a mixed-media artist whose work celebrates transformation, resilience, and the beauty of imperfection, while reflecting her Christian faith and beliefs. Drawing inspiration from her Caribbean roots and a lifelong love of storytelling, she creates one-of-a-kind moss art and sculptural pieces that merge ancient forms with modern design sensibilities.

Sekelle’s creative journey began with upcycling discarded and overlooked materials, breathing new life into them through texture, color, and form. Today, she works primarily with moss, paper-based clays and cement, crafting art that feels both timeless and alive. For her, each piece is a visual narrative of spiritual and personal renewal, echoing her belief that just as materials can be transformed, so too can the human spirit through faith.

Each piece is both a personal act of worship and an invitation to experience the peace and worth that can only be found in Christ, demonstrating how faith can turn ordinary materials—and lives—into something truly extraordinary.

Featured Artwork

Reign – Resonate exhibit 2025, The Gallery at Morning Star

Palm Tree by the Bay – 3rd place, Annual Art Contest 2025, Crooked Creek Art League

1st – MOJA Juried Art Show 2025

River of Life – And the Soul Finds Its Worth 2025 – The Gallery at Morning Star

2300 Block of Wallace

The Scattered Artist
Photography

I have been a photographer for over 30 years. I love nature/landscape photography. I try to see things in ways others miss.

2225 Wallace Street

Jason Travis Woodwork
Woodworking

I create unique pieces of woodwork using local and exotic woods. I’ve been doing my craft for about 20 years. I make interesting lamps out of wood and steel, steam punk, I make resin and wood wall art, resin and wood, serving trays and river tables. I use the fractal burning technique and a lot of my creations. I also make wood bowls.

2233 Wallace Street

Hearts, Arts, and Paws
Ceramics

We created Hearts, Arts, & Paws in 2020 after our retirement as a way to give back to our community. As hobby artisans, we donate our time and handcrafted art in exchange for donations made to local no-kill animal shelters. If chosen, this will be our 6th year participating in the CAC! To date, donations for our art have generated $16,317 with beneficiaries such as PETSinc., Animal Mission of the Midlands, and Final Victory Animal Rescue.

2200 Block of Wallace

George Down / Cielo
Mixed Media

I am a Syracuse University graduate with a five year BID fine arts degree. Initially, I worked in Montreal for Guillion Design Associates and as project director creating the theme interpretation and displays for Canada’s world fair Expo 67 "Man and Life Pavilion". I worked in Chicago for Chapman, Goldsmith & Yamasaki a renounced product design and marketing communications design firm. Subsequently, I established my own Industrial Design and Marketing Communications consultant firm, “Design Realizations Ltd” in Skaneateles NY. I owned and directed this firm for over 25 years. For a period of time I combined ownership of Design Realizations with a position as adjunct professor teaching the fifth year ID lab courses at Syracuse University. Most recently I co- founded and was President of a Biotech contract research firm (CRO) in Colorado Springs commuting between Columbia and Colorado Springs. While basically living in Colorado for five years, my wife living in Columbia and time on my hands in Colorado I decided preparing for retirement to become a south west artist and proceeded to accomplish that goal.

In retirement I am now a full time artist and am represented by The Buffalo Collection Scottsdale AZ, Torres Gallery Santa Fe NM representing 4 artists including Robert Rivera who purchased the Gallery for his sole use. Gallery 3040 Old Forge Adirondacks NY. Evergreen Gallery Estes Park, CO. With inventory I am represented by the Grove Wood Gallery at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.

I try to attend two or three art festivals each year and have regularly been accepted at the Rockville MD Spring Festival and the Crozet VA Fall Festival. In 2021 I was one of six artists out of 120 exhibitors awarded (not by specific medium) best of show at the Rockville MD Spring Festival. Other events, festivals and exhibits I have been accepted at and precipitated in include an 80808 Exhibition Columbia SC, Soda City Market Columbia SC, Art Fields Exhibition Lake City SC, Travelers Rest Festival SC, Pendleton Festival SC, Weaverville and Cashiers Festivals NC, Virginia Highlands and Atlanta Dogwood Festival Atlanta Ga, Rustic Furniture Fair Adirondack Museum, Blue Mountain Lake NY (One of six artists chosen for the Fair), Evergreen Gallery, Estes Park, CO.

My work evolves on several levels; I seek an image in my mind that I can use to tell a story I have experienced or know gained from spending time growing up in the Adirondack Mts. in NY State, working in Colorado Springs, CO and spending time and gaining ideas from both the south west including CO, NM, AZ and WY and the Blue Ridge mountains around Asheville, NC.

I use images and ideas from my past often combined with natural materials - a special piece of bark, wood from a maple, cherry, cedar or Mesquite tree, a handmade paper, a group of feathers can get me started. Second, I consider additional materials including pastels and acrylics allowing me to include painting to present my thoughts and the story I am creating. Third and equally important I consider the physical structure of the 3D art being created to insure durability and longevity.

My work is unique due to the natural materials I incorporate to weave a story I wish to tell. Typically in my mixed media I use pastel, acrylic, gauche, handmade paper, and natural materials including birch twigs and bark, feathers, sinew, twine, copper, leather, bone, all to tell the story. I also always include a hand crafted frame I consider part of the overall effect of the art using either maple, curly or spalted maple, cherry or spalted cherry.

2200 Block of Wallace

Candace Catoe
Mixed Media

Making and exploring art has been a lifelong journey for me. I’ve been making art of some kind of art for as long as I can remember.

I am a retired elementary Art teacher. I believe I learned as much about my approach to making art from my teaching experience as I did in studio classes. My obsession with metalsmithing began while I was working on my Master’s in Art Education. I took a studio class in Jewelry Making and although I went on to teach Art I took every opportunity to expand my jewelry making education.

Recently I have started painting again after a long hiatus. My work is in abstract acrylics and I’m re-discovering a love of color and the joy of trying new/old techniques.

2200 Block of Wallace

Lu Lu’s
Painting

I have always enjoyed painting for fun. I was recovering from foot surgery and started water coloring during my recovery period. I enjoy birds and florals so I took a class online and started to explore with watercolors. I paint acrylics on canvases purchased from Goodwill-Upcycled artist. Many of my frames are also from Goodwill. I have painted murals in houses when I was younger . I enjoy bright colors and fun art. Painting brings me joy and I like trying new styles. I have a mix of abstract , textured art etc. If I want to try something, I will. I try to Upcycled as much as possible.

2200 Block of Wallace

Covet Collection
Jewelry

My love of gemstones was sparked by a geology course I took in college. I have always been drawn to their beauty and healing energy. I wanted to create timeless jewelry that surpasses the test of time. Now that my children are grown, I am able to devote myself fully to my creations. I am self-taught and I create every piece by hand. I use silk thread to string and hand-knot necklaces and bracelets. I also employ soldering and hand-wiring to make earrings, bracelets, pendants, rings, and suncatchers.

2200 Block of Wallace

CA Starr Studios
Ceramics

My adventure in art began at 11 years old. At school one day, the teacher asked a student to come up to the board and draw a tree. He did not draw 2 sticks and a circle on top, instead he drew a tree with limbs. I was fascinated that someone could do that.

See, back in the 1960s Art was not offered in public school. I had never been exposed to its wonders.

After witnessing this “miracle tree” drawing, I told my mother and the next thing I knew, I was taking oil painting lessons on Saturday mornings with other kids my age. I loved going there. After about 5 years, my instructor became ill and painting lessons were no longer offered.

The next time I was instructed in art was at the University of South Carolina where I received a degree in Art Studio. This is where I fell in love with acrylic paint as a medium and working with clay. It’s amazing how good clay feels in your hands!

Then life happened – husband and children. I became Carolyn Starr McCauley. My personal art was put on the back burner.

After the death of my husband in 1995, I changed careers and began teaching art. I went back to school and earned my masters in Creative Teaching. I received National Board Certification in teaching Art. Life was very busy again. I remarried and became Carolyn Starr Ellis. To simplify name changes, I went back to signing my work, C.A. Starr.

After 20 years of teaching, I retired. Finally, I have time for my art.

2200 Block of Wallace

KC Abstract Studio
Painting

Kimberly has been creating since childhood, later formalizing her passion with an art minor in college. After returning to her practice in recent years, she now paints through an intuitive, emotion-driven process. Guided by color and movement, her work translates feeling into abstract forms, inviting viewers into an immersive, expressive experience.