2024 Artist-in-Residence: Year in Review
Every year the South Carolina State Parks Service hosts the Artist-In-Residence program. This program provides artists with the opportunity to gain inspiration from the natural and cultural resources of the South Carolina State Parks. In return for a week-long stay at a state park cabin, each artist produces an original piece of artwork that is presented to the park. This competitive program attracts outstanding artists from all over the state and beyond. Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of meeting the 20 artists who were selected for the 2024 Artists-in-Residence program. Here is how they enjoyed their residency.
*The Artist-in-Residence program application is released in the fall of each year. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow our Facebook, Instagram or X accounts for updates on when the 2026 application opens.
For more information about the program, visit our Artist-in-Residence page.
Kim Clark - Givhans Ferry State Park
"Last Spring, I completed my residency at Givhans Ferry State Park on the Edisto River. Every morning, I awoke at dawn to walk along the river's edge to study the light and enjoy the solitude. I awoke on my first morning to a light fog lifting over the river revealing a landscape bathed in blue.
I am thankful for the time to explore a landscape new to me, watching the Edisto River change from dawn to dusk. Upon returning to GFSP to deliver the painting at the end of October, I was reminded of the fragility of the river ecosystem as I searched for the place that inspired this painting because so much had changed, more than just the seasons."
Robert Wilson Harrison - Lee State Park
"My stay at Lee State Park gave me a unique opportunity to explore the diverse wildlife of the piedmont. The swamps and low woodland abound with animals, but you have to look for them as they are small and furtive. This was an excellent place for red-bellied woodpeckers, pewees, and vireos. Not to mention nuthatches and titmice. I counted at least three species of dragonflies and a couple of different butterflies. There’s a lovely pond with waterlilies and turtles. One of my personal highlights was a mud-snake. These aren’t common snakes and feed on siren and amphiuma salamanders. This shows that the local environment is in excellent shape because both these snakes and their prey are sensitive to disturbance."
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Katie Heatley - Sesquicentennial State Park
"I was excited to be Sesquicentennial State Park's first Artist in Residence this year! I've never been to Sesqui but I had a feeling it would be another state park to add to my list of favorites. I camped in our family camper for the first time with my two dogs. That was an adventure in itself, but the crew at Sesqui ensured everything at my site was taken care of to make my stay complete. There were a couple of stormy days, but I was able to capture the sunrise one morning over the lake and between the Avenue of Oaks before everyone else woke up. I found myself wandering down an off-beaten trail one day which led me to a Cardinal family with two newborns nearby. I'd have to say that was one of my favorite days in the park. Toward the end of the week, Ranger John took me around to some spots I hadn't yet explored passed the Fema bridge that was rebuilt after the flooding the Park had a few years ago. There was a section of the wooded area that just seemed so magical and the sun peaked through the trees and glistened on the grass. I was able to get this piece printed on a glossy metal to help display the colors I saw that day. I could probably list a few more magical spots and some that I didn't quite get to explore all the way, but I think that is what makes Sesqui special- the vast array of exploring everything it has to offer. Don't sleep on Sesqui, take a day or weekend to pop by to see what they have to offer. I appreciate the knowledge & history Ranger John and his team shared with me during my stay."
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Kristin Holzer - Dreher Island State Park
"It was an incredible 6-day experience of painting in my little makeshift studio on a screened-in porch overlooking Lake Murray. Each day, my husband and I took the canoe out onto the lake to explore the shoreline and observe the various birds that call Lake Murray home. We saw Osprey, Bald Eagles, Geese, Great Blue Herons, Ducks, and more. Each evening I watched the beautiful sunset and listened to the countless cicadas.
Going into this residency, I really had no idea what I was going to paint to represent Dreher Island. But, I got my reference photo within an hour of being there! As many know, this year had two broods of cicadas. I love the sound of cicadas, but they hadn’t reached my home in Columbia yet. I was hoping they would be in Dreher Island and they did not disappoint! When I arrived at the cabin, I first noticed the large amount of cicadas on the ground. I went to the lake’s edge and noticed a beautiful flowering bush along the shore. I immediately wanted to paint this with the lake in the background, so I started snapping some pictures.
Then a fabulous idea popped into my head... At my feet were hundreds of dead cicadas (I know... eww). What a perfect and unique subject to paint!! So I picked one of them up by its wing and staged the poor guy
on the bush! Yup. That was it. There was my reference! I got to work on my sketch and made a decent amount of progress on the painting while I was at the cabin. I finished the painting in my home studio! It was a challenge, but I love the results.
I am very thankful for my experience as the artist in residence at Dreher Island State Park, and I would love to do this again!"
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Kelly Kopacka - Poinsett State Park
"I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible week I spent at Poinsett State Park. The residency was truly a transformative experience that nourished both my creative spirit and my sense of well-being. The perfect weather made each day a gift, allowing me to paint outdoors and hike the many, many trails. Although, it was hard to leave my cabin because it was so comfortable and homey! I felt so lucky to wake up each morning, have a cup of coffee in the sunroom, and plan my day's creative activities.
Beyond the artistic opportunities, the residency offered me a precious chance to rest, reflect, and reconnect with nature. The peaceful environment was exactly what I needed to recharge and find creative renewal. I am deeply thankful for this opportunity and for the dedication of the South Carolina Parks team in supporting artists like myself. This experience will remain a cherished memory and a source of inspiration for years to come.
For the park, I painted a White-tailed deer against a background of dogwoods. The dogwoods were just starting to bloom and were a recurring theme in every piece I created that week!"
Jan Lane - Oconee State Park
"I was very fortunate to be able to spend a week at Oconee State Park this fall after Hurricane Helene had come through. The park staff and other organizations were able to restore the park and get the trails open in a very short time. It was evident from all the downed trees in the area that it was quite a feat.
The sunny days and mild temperatures were perfect for hiking the trails and for plein air painting. The fall foliage was beautifully lit when the sun was setting each evening, and the lake was so colorful with the reflections of the trees. It was an artist's paradise being surrounded by all the fall colors.
An artist friend came with me for the first few days. We spend time exploring the park, hiking, and painting each day. It was very peaceful to be in the middle of the woods, trying to capture the essence of what was in front of us and listening to all the sounds of the woods. One of our adventures was creating watercolor sketches at the top of the Tamassee Knob Trail.
My husband came up the last few days, and we hiked a few more trails around the area. In the evenings, we enjoyed sitting by the firepit under the stars. It was so relaxing to be in nature for a week. The screen porch overlooking the lake had a perfect view of the lake, and the cabin was so cozy with everything we needed.
My painting for the park is a scene along the lake of a canoe and kayaks with the fall foliage in the background which I feel represents the park well. I’m very grateful for this opportunity to participate in the Artists-in-Residence program and thoroughly enjoyed my time at Oconee State Park."
Teresa Mancuso - Devils Fork State Park
"I am very grateful to have been chosen as the Artist in Residence for Devils Fork in Salem, SC. This park has such natural beauty that it’s not difficult to be inspired by its environment. My husband and I enjoyed near-perfect South Carolina spring weather, walking the Oconee Bell Trail daily and kayaking on the clear waters of Lake Jocassee.
The Oconee Bell, which was blooming in abundance during my stay at Devils Fork, was the inspiration for my final art piece. Though a seemingly simple plant, one cannot help but see vibrant bursts of color in every part of it.
Hidden in the deep shade of cool, rich soil beside creeks and waterfalls around Lake Jocassee, the flower has the most charming personality. In some places, the blooms are turned toward the ground like shy, bonneted maids, but elsewhere, they seem to peek in different directions, as if in quiet conversations with one another and the world around them. This made the Oconee Bell not only enjoyable to paint but easy to love. It is not surprising that Devils Fork has an annual festival dedicated to this lovely flower.
After working on four large canvases dedicated to the Oconee Bell, I felt only one of them achieved the light and color I wanted. With my final painting, which I titled, A Walk Among the Bells, I feel I was finally able to capture the vibrant colors of this beautiful plant but also depict its whimsical personality. I hope my work will be enjoyed by visitors for many years to come and will inspire visitors to Devils Fork to fall in love with the Oconee Bell as I did."
Sarah Mandell - Table Rock State Park
"Table Rock State Park is only about an hour northwest of where I live, but it’s another world out there - the tall mountains and windy roads, the pitch black sky at night, the never-ending hiking trails - there’s no shortage of inspiration. This particular residency turned out to be a very full week and included over 25 miles hiked (both inside and outside of the park), creating 27 small-scale needle felted pieces, a little bit of painting, venturing out to visit 6 different towns, spending hours outside in the cold watching the meteor shower, and several exciting creature sightings including an armadillo, wild turkeys, and a huge black bear on the last leg of my very last hike of the residency. I’m so glad I didn’t see the bear earlier in the week, I may not have hiked so much!
I chose to come to the park at the end of October in the hopes I would be there during the most colorful time of year, and I was very lucky it worked out perfectly. The trees were vibrant, the air was crisp, and I truly enjoyed every minute of my time at Table Rock. And the good news is, I can go back any time, it’s so close! My work was inspired by the numerous waterfalls, the colorful fall foliage, the clear night sky, the serene lakes, and of course, Table Rock Mountain itself."
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David Mebane - Hickory Knob State Resort Park
"Hickory Knob State Park was a great opportunity for an artist that loves nature. The walking and mountain biking trails gave the chance to encounter deer and many types of birds. Staying in the Guillebeau House inspired me to create a drawing imagining it when it was built in the mid 1700's.
Lake Thurmond provided morning views that led to my drawing of a colorful sunrise over the lake from the dock vantage point. My colored pencil drawing hopefully captured the sunrise reflections and subtle movements of the water. Thank you to the great park staff and Park Manager Rob Powell."
Bailey Miller - Givhans Ferry State Park
"I was hosted by Givhans Ferry State Park as the Artist-in-Residence mid spring. With sunshine and warm temperatures, I had great conditions for exploring and painting. Each morning I got outside for a run to take in the dawn light and spent my days painting along the Edisto River tucked under the trees or on the back deck of my cabin. The park was quiet and peaceful during the extent of my stay making it the perfect painting environment.
During my stay, I was most drawn to the evening light along the river which led to the inspiration for my final painting. Each night I would head down to the river and hike along the trail system to catch glimpses of the sunset glow along the Edisto.
It was a pleasure to explore and create in such a beautiful area, thank you for the opportunity!"
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Karin Neuvirth - Table Rock State Park
"I really enjoyed my artist in residency at Table Rock State Park. Thank you so much for this opportunity."
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Anna Newell - Barnwell State Park
“This past May, I had the pleasure of having my residency at Barnwell State Park. It was my first residency I’ve received, and I’m very glad and honored I was able to spend it in such a beautiful location.
The first thing you notice when you begin to make your way to the ranger station is the beautiful smell of waterlilies. And then the trees part to reveal the sun shining on the lake. I’ll never forget how pretty it was. The park felt full of secret picturesque scenes, and I had a wonderful time spending my week there finding and documenting them. The whole ranger staff was very helpful and welcoming. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I look forward to when I can visit next!”
Karen Petta - Colleton State Park
"I was honored to have been chosen to be an artist in residence for the Colleton State Park this past year. The park manager, Austin, was so helpful and accommodating, as were the campground hosts. The park itself was beautiful and so well-maintained. I was fortunate to stay in the cabin that had its own little outdoor sitting area. Thank you so much for this opportunity and I hope the park enjoys the painting I created during my stay."
Kay Rugh - Dreher Island State Park
"We had a wonderful time at Dreher Island. The wildlife was out in full force. We had 2 days of a beautiful red-tail hawk posing for lots of photos and displaying his hunting abilities! We had a charming resident squirrel that kept us company every day. Turtles, herons, and even an armadillo showed themselves!
The accommodations were so nice and we both enjoyed having a full week to relax and focus on painting. Really enjoyed the fireworks too and the gorgeous sunsets. Lots of boaters, kayakers, paddle boarders & water activity.
I have completed two paintings in acrylic 16" x 20". The first one was from Saturday night June 29th of the gorgeous sunset and all the boats gathering for the fireworks. The second painting is of one of the many kayakers that were on the lake."
Gwen Sullivan - Oconee State Park
"I was an AIR at Oconee State Park from May 13-19. Everyone at the park was very nice and helpful. The park is beautiful- with the lake and many hiking trails. The cabin they gave us was perfect. It was beautifully decorated. (I really enjoyed the copper soaking tub after all the hiking we did.). We were glad to see that it had been renovated and updated but kept the charm of a CCC cabin. We loved the peace and quiet of the park. All the mountain laurels were blooming and so beautiful. We hiked around the lake every day (about a mile) and hiked on many of the trails. Even though we had rain almost every day, we still hiked every day. We fished. I took SO many pictures to use for future paintings. I am thinking about painting them for the State Fair. We went to Oconee Station and went to the historic buildings and hiked to the falls. I did a painting of the falls. It is such a beautiful area of the mountains. I did several paintings in the cabin while I was there. I even pulled pieces of burned wood from the fire pit and sketched a tree we could see from our cabin. I gave it to the park. For the painting to give the park, we visited the park in November to look at it. I took pictures then and painted one at home before we went, so it could dry and I could frame it. I took it in May when we went and gave it to them. The park did just what it was supposed to do - inspire me to paint more and to promote the park. I took so many photos and can’t wait to paint from them. We got a lot of rest but we were exhausted every night from walking and exploring to take pictures. I am very fortunate to have been selected as an artist in residence several times. I am a lifelong resident of South Carolina and I enjoy the beauty of our state parks."
Lynne Trotter - Devils Fork State Park
"We were privileged to be the artist in residence at Devils Fork State Park. We were able to have our children and grandchildren join us as we went down memory lane to past trips to Lake Jocassee. We presented a pair of 32” x 50” photographs printed on satin fabric to Ranger Rowdy. A huge thanks to the staff for all their support during our stay. We highly recommend a stay at the Villas. Bring your boat and enjoy the beauty.
On the left is Laurel Fork Falls and on the right is Wrights Creek Falls, both are popular boating spots on beautiful Lake Jocassee. It was difficult to select from all the pictures taken but in the end, the waterfalls were selected because of their iconic status around the lake.
Lastly, the family had a grand time! The Grandchildren swam, slid down rocks, swam under waterfalls, jumped off rocks, fished, and knee-boarded for the first time. They saw Bad Creek, Whitewater River, Thompson River, Bear Camp Creek, Horse Pasture River, Toxaway River, and portions of the Foothills Trail. Yes, we slept well at night and many memories were made."
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Cristin Fedina Wood - Calhoun Falls State Park
"I had such a great time camping at Calhoun Falls State Park with my husband. We went swimming, did some hiking, and got to watch the sunset over the water from our campsite each night. The park was so tranquil, even though there were many families at the park enjoying the lake. The birding was great! We saw herons and osprey hunting for fish and grackle hunting for cicadas. The real characters were the sassy squirrels. I would love to go back soon. I was able to paint with watercolors, draw a cicada up close from life, and do some sketching around the campfire while my husband worked his cooking magic. My final piece was an acrylic painting of one of the bright and colorful sunsets from campsite 20."
Olga Yukhno - Poinsett State Park
"My residency at the Poinsett State Park in August 2024 was a delightful experience. It brought with it many surprises and discoveries. I came in with the intention of focusing on making small sculpted clay sketches based on the gorgeous nature surrounding me. However, once I got started the process followed its own path and I found myself engulfed in creating larger carved work. It was unexpected, fun, and freeing.
Once I got home, the wave of inspiration I received while staying at the Park pushed me to create more work, including ceramic and mosaic pieces I had planned to focus on from the very start.
I feel very fortunate to have been able to spend the whole week one-on-one with nature in a beautiful and comfortable setting. I’m very grateful to the South Carolina State Parks for creating such opportunities for artists of various media!"
