Black History Month - Spartanburg's Trailblazing Artists
Chapman Cultural Center is dedicated to supporting the Arts in Spartanburg and promoting artists within our community. In honor of Black History Month, we’re excited to highlight a few of the many black trailblazing artists who’ve made their mark on Spartanburg. While we couldn’t possibly highlight every single artist in the community, we’ve selected 7 artists of various mediums who’ve impacted Spartanburg County.
Geri Dye
Artist Geri Dye is a native of Spartanburg, SC. Where she lives with her daughter, Liza, who is also an artist in theater. Geri graduated from Converse College in May 2007, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Geri won several art awards in the Converse College Juried Student Art Exhibition over the years of her attendance. Her art was published in the college's Concept Magazine for literary and artistic achievements and was one of the few students at Converse College to be selected to exhibit her work in the Southern Women's Art Exhibition in Salem, N.C. at Salem College in 2006.
Geri has exhibited and sold her work in Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina. After leaving Converse College, Geri continued to paint in oils, make greeting cards, and instruct Silversmithing classes.
Winton and Rosa Eugene
photo credit - American Craft Council
Artists Winton and Rosa Eugene are natives of Cowpens, SC. The husband-and-wife team together form the accomplished, Pottery by Eugene. The couple have observed many aspects of human nature and our relationship to the environment-having grown up in Louisiana and South Carolina and lived in Chicago for more than 20 years.
Their pottery reflects the rural South as well as urban issues. In 1986, at the suggestion of Rosa and their daughter, Fredriana, Winton took up pottery as a hobby. The exceptional The Eugene’s’ style is unique and distinguishable from the work of other Southern potters.
The couple who have now been making decorative stoneware for 31 years were named honorary citizens of Gaffney in 2017.
Raymond Floyd
photo credit - Spartanburg Methodist College
Raymond drew his inspiration from Leo Twiggs, his teacher, mentor and nationally renowned batik artist, and was the first black art teacher in the Spartanburg County school system.
He taught for 30 years, at Carver Junior High before retiring in 1993. Teaching drawing, painting, sculpture, and crafts to thousands of students over the course of his tenure.
Paper batik is Floyd’s preferred medium. It is where he display’s his fascination by people’s candid reactions to everyday experiences. Raymond is also a professional photographer and has contributed to publications such as South of Main and shot numerous weddings and events.
Offrey L. Hines
Offrey is native of Spartanburg, SC. A product of Lincoln High School and the son of a brick mason and seamstress. Offrey grew up with a love for music and a sense of discipline instilled in him by his father.
A self-taught musician, Offrey was blessed with a musical “ear”, being able to pick up and play music simply through sound and his recollection. He vividly remembers “Jammin on the Porch” where neighborhood kids would play music on the front porch of their houses. This is where Offrey would first discover his ability as a drummer.
He would later go on to attend Tuskegee Institute (now University), where his musical career began to take off. During his Freshman orientation in the Summer of 1967, he found himself competing in a talent show where he won first place. This led to his meeting Thomas McClary and discovering Lionel Ritchie, forming a musical group which would later become The Commodores. The original group was a hit from the beginning, securing gig, after gig and touring the area before reforming to become The Commodores.
Offrey now resides in Spartanburg, where he continues his love for music.
Pat Kabore
photo credit - Spartanburg Art Museum
Pat Kabore lives and works in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Her work is in the permanent collections with the Washington Printmakers Fine Art Calendar, i.e. the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress, The National Women’s Museum, The National Fine Art Museum, and other fine art institutions across the country.
The recipient of multiple artist grants, Pat was recently featured in the 2010 publication, “Artist Among Us”, which is a full-color coffee table book highlighting the 100 artists of Spartanburg, South Carolina. She is a multi-media artist, working primarily in printmaking and fiber.
She was most recently featured at the Reece Museum, Eastern Tennessee State University, as part of the Social Justice Exhibit, and designed the “Indigo Blues for Hub City” lightbulb as part of Spartanburg Art Museum’s Lighten Up Spartanburg public art project.
Daryle Rice
photo credit - Tryon Daily Bulletin
Born and raised in Spartanburg, jazz musician Daryle Ryce has developed a national and international fan base. Daryle was the first black freshman to attend Converse College. She was also a high school music student alongside famed Spartanburg musician David Ball.
According to Fred Goodman of Rolling Stone magazine, Ryce is “a distinctive and uniquely American artist… an outstanding pianist and guitarist, equally comfortable playing bluegrass, country, swing, jazz, bossa nova and folk.” Her admirers include Chet Atkins, Dizzy Gillespie, and Buddy Rich.
Guided by McGlohon, Ryce refined her vocal style and began recording. Although Ryce consciously avoids stylistic influences, she admires singers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter and Cleo Laine, while the writing and playing of James Taylor and Joni Mitchell have also made their mark.
With a strong and liquid vocal sound, Ryce’s performances of slow and medium tempo ballads are particularly attractive, and she always sings with an underlying swing.
Winston Wingo
Winston A. Wingo was born and educated in Spartanburg, SC. He earned a B.A. in art education from Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC in 1977 and an M.F.A in sculpture from Clemson University in Clemson, SC in 1980. In 1984 Wingo studied Post-graduate at the Instituto Statute D’Arte in Lucca Italy, the Luigi Tammasi Foundry in Pietrasanta Italy and the Artistica Marinani Foundry in Pietrasanta Italy.
As a painter, sculptor and art educator Wingo has taught at Claflin University, South Carolina University in Orangeburg, the University of South Carolina Upstate, and Converse College. Winston Wingo has had over 40 one person exhibits and has been in over 200 group competitions and invitational exhibitions. Wingo has exhibited his painting and sculptures throughout the United States, Canada, France and Italy.
Winston currently lives and maintains a studio in Spartanburg, SC, where he teaches, mentors young artists and serves as a board member of Chapman Cultural Center.
Did we miss a trailblazing artist? Do you know of or are you an up-and-coming artist? Submit your information or share with your favorite artists so we can feature them in the future!