ART EXPO 2024
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ART EXPO 2024 •
ART EXPO 2023
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ART EXPO 2023 •
Zoie Henry -WLTX News 19 Zoie is originally from the Windy City, otherwise known as Chicago. Growing up in Illinois fully prepared her for deep freezes in the winter but she has experienced some intense southern summers over the years. In Arkansas, she covered everything from community-driven stories, to following a set of triplets’ journey home from the ICU, to the high-profile Joshua Duggar trial, as well as the ongoing response to COVID-19. oie enjoys talking to people about their communities and has a passion for sharing their stories. Aside from her storytelling, her first duty is to tell the truth. Before getting her start in Arkansas, Zoie reported for KOMU 8 News, a station owned and operated by her alma mater, the University of Missouri-Columbia. While in college, she interned for the investigative unit at WLS-TV in Chicago. At Mizzou she discovered that the words ‘talks too much’ appearing on her report card years prior wasn’t for nothing and put her voice to good use in her Bachelor of Journalism degree. Zoie is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is also member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet Since its founding in 1988, Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet has been the pre-eminent pre-professional ballet company in the Midlands of South Carolina. Dancers who began at Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet Center for Dance Education are on stages all over the world - not only performing with professional ballet companies but also on cruise ships, in theme parks, on Broadway and television. Every participant with Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet has the opportunity to explore his or her potential in productions of the highest professional quality and to study with internationally recognized teachers. Company syllabus used at the Center for Dance Education is based on the prestigious Russian manual set by Agrippina Vagonova coupled with a unique American approach to neoclassicism. The company's performance repertory reflects the classical training together with contemporary neoclassical works. Even those dancers who participate with Carolina Ballet and choose not to follow a professional career are given the same opportunities and the same level of commitment to professionalism as expected of them during their time with Ann Brodie's Carolina Ballet. The time management skills they learn will carry them through life as they become community leaders and audiences of tomorrow.
Camille Hughes - Photographer t’s Camille Hughes! I’m a North Carolina based freelance and travel photographer with the passion to display diverse lifestyles and cultures of people domestic and abroad through visual storytelling. My work is a focused attempt to help people capture what I see, feel and experience expressed through pictures. My strong interest in lifestyle and travel photography helps to curate my personal life story in a unique form of photojournalism for all to enjoy!
William Starrett - Director of South Carolina Ballet William Starrett Executive & Artistic Director Artistic and Executive Director, and Principal Choreographer, William Starrett leads the Columbia City Ballet for his 35th Performance Season as Artistic Director. First appearing as a guest artist in 1977, over the past 40 years he has served as Artist-in-Residence, Associate Director and Premier Danseur. Named Artistic Director in 1986, he is only the 2nd Artistic Director in the Company’s 60 year history. Mr. Starrett has worked tirelessly to make his vision a reality ---to offer South Carolina and the Southeastern United States audiences the highest quality ballet and to provide dancers with the very best in professional dance training. In 1979 he won the bronze medal at the first US international Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. Following this achievement, Starrett became one of the most prolific and proficient guest artists in the world. In a 1984 interview, Dance Magazine profiled Starrett as a “fully freelance dancer jetting to and from cities like some people drive to the drugstore...a man who has been whisked off the stage after a matinee in Detroit and flown to Atlanta for a performance that same night. Have repertoire, will travel.” Since 1988 he has choreographed 20 full-length ballets for the Columbia City Ballet’s repertoire, beginning with Snow White, and including Peter Pan, Don Juan, Dracula: Ballet with a Bite; Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Frankenstein, Dracula’s Revenge, Cleopatra, The Little Prince, Off the Wall and Onto the Stage: Dancing the Art of Jonathan Green, The Hootie and the Blowfish Ballet, and Emanuel. Additionally, he has created more than 21 Educational Ballets for the Company’s Educational Outreach and Engagement Series. Curriculum-driven and accompanied by teachers’ guides, these productions have provided an introduction to ballet and the performing arts to more than half a million children since the Series was introduced 30 years ago. Starrett is a graduate of Leadership Columbia, founder of AIDS Benefit Foundation of South Carolina, member of the Columbia Chamber, Columbia Rotary Club, Columbia’s Executives and Owners Association, and Founding Director and Principal Faculty Member of the Columbia Conservatory of Dance. In addition, he is the recipient of the Elizabeth O’Neil Verner Governor’s Award for the Arts, the state of South Carolina’s most prestigious arts award. Weekly you can catch him on FOX News as a host of Arts WACH. He received the 2015 Steve Morrison Visionary Award from One Columbia and the 2019 Jefferson Award for his tremendous contributions to our community. Earlier this year, Starrett was selected as a 2021 recipient of the R.I.C.E. Award, presented by the Lowcountry Rice Culture Project in recognition of exemplifying qualities of Inclusion, Culture, and Excellence.
Ciara Moss - International Fashion / Runway Model Ciara Moss Washington- a Columbia, SC native lives a life as an international model for more than 15 years. She was discovered here in Columbia, SC and moved to New York and Los Angeles to pursue her career. Ciara has been represented by Elite NY, BMG LA, and a number of internationally known and boutique modeling agencies. She has worked with television, film, and print campaigns. She has graced the runways for Herve Leger, Carolina Herrera, Michael Costello, Christian Siriano, Kukso Koo, Sergio Hudson, and many more. Throughout her career she values using her knowledge to coach and guide new talent in the direction to strong careers while staying true to their core values on their journey to success.
Kendrick Williams - Opera Singer Praised for his warm lyrical sound, Kendrick D. Williams is steadily gaining momentum on operatic outlets and has a growing heart for reaching the community in which he lives and the ones around him. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Claflin University and a Master’s Degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Being afforded a wide range of performance opportunities, Williams has performed several roles in operas ranging from the classical works of Mozart to the verismo operas of Puccini. He has appeared in leading roles with New Orleans Opera, Opera Creole, and Opera Carolina. Seen in Tosca, Die Zauberflote, Porgy & Bess, La Boheme, Les Contes d'Hoffman, Carmen, Gianni Schicchi & Minette Fontaine. While making appearances with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Charleston Chamber Orchestra & Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for concerts & oratorio works that include Handel's Messiah and Mendelssohn's Elijah. More recently, Williams made his debut with NC Opera singing the role of Jake in their production of Porgy & Bess. Kendrick is a resident artist with Opera Carolina in Charlotte, NC and is studying with Victoria Livengood.
Jessica Fichter - Playwriter / Director Jessica Francis Fichter is a South Carolina based director, playwright, and teaching artist. She has had the opportunity to work in South Carolina, North Carolina, New Jersey, and New York City in varying capacities. Jessica is the current Executive Director of Trustus Theatre in Columbia, SC, she is a SDC associate member, and has worked at Food of Love NYC, Flat Rock Playhouse, Ensemble Atria, The Edge Theatre, The Connelly Theater, The Tank, The Kraine Theatre, Townstages, ASDS Rep Theatre, Feinstein's/54Below, Chapin Theatre Company, and multiple private and public school educational settings as a teaching artist and director. She is an acting finalist at the Actors Studio and holds a BA in theatre from Winthrop and an MFA in directing from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University.
Venecia Runningwolf -Harpist / Creator Singer,songwriter ,musician and visual artist Venecia hails from South Carolina. As a child,her fathers military tour of duty allotted her the experience of living in many different places around the globe. This prepared her for her later excursion to China where she lived, performed and learned to play the Guzheng, a traditional Chinese zither similar to the harp. As a vocalist songwriter and musician her love of sacred instruments and their usage as healing tools prepared her for the future use of many others, such as the Native American flute, African and Indian percussion, gongs and singing bowls to name a few. She then began self studies and certified training as a Tibetan Bowl Sound therapist and Hypnotherapist as to apply these principles to her musical sound therapy practice and overall creative expression. As an artist Venecia has worked performing live in gallery productions, film soundtrack production, wardrobe styling and set design with fellow well established and sought after visual artists Micheala Pilar Brown, Filmmaker Roni Nicole Henderson and visual artist Cedric Umoja. Her desire is to continue her practice as a medical musician as well as expand the expression of her overall artistic tonality on every creative level
Ija Charles - Muralist / Painter COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ija Charles is a self taught artist and muralist. Armed with artistic talent and an attitude of gratitude, she spreads joy to every canvas and or wall her paintbrushes touch. While her talent has garnered national attention from celebrities, city leaders, and national organizations such as the NFL, her real power lies in her love for people and the community with her murals beautifying the city and neighboring states across the country. Artist Statement My life experiences, my interactions, passions, interests, reflection, all manifest in my artwork and change over time. Using the human face and figure as a vehicle to reimagine day to day portraits with positive images and stories to match. I am drawn to the themes of optimism and genuine emotions, usually finding inspiration from my own life. My work is often colorful, character driven, and whole hearted to help paint positive vibes on our canvas of life.
CeCe Tillmon - MakeUp Artist Cece Tillmon, a renowned professional makeup artist and licensed esthetician, has crafted a remarkable career in the world of beauty. Born into a family of cosmetologists, Cece's journey in the industry began at a young age when she grew up in her family's hair salon. This early exposure ignited her passion for the art of transformation. With over 13 years of dedicated experience, Cece Tillmon has become a true luminary in her field. Her makeup artistry skills have graced the faces of numerous talents, including notable names such as OMG Girlz, Fantasia, SWV, the Pour Minds Podcast team, and the University of South Carolina's very own Aliyah Boston, among others. Her talent and precision have consistently left her clients feeling and looking their best. As the proud owner of both C. Tillmon Beauty and Four27 Beauty cosmetics, Cece has not only mastered the craft but also created her own beauty empire. Her commitment to quality and innovation shines through in her cosmetics line. Cece Tillmon's artistry has not gone unnoticed, as her work has been featured in both print and film. Her ability to enhance natural beauty and create captivating looks has left an indelible mark on the beauty world. Cece’s journey from a family salon to the pinnacle of professional makeup artistry and cosmetics entrepreneurship is a testament to her unwavering dedication and exceptional talent
Stoi Phillips -Fashion Designer Stoi Phillips received her Fashion & Interior Design degree from the Art Institute of Los Angeles, California. In the past 20 years, Stoi has showcased her designs during Fashion Weeks in Tokyo, Canada, Los Angeles, Houston and is scheduled to showcase in South Carolina and North Carolina for the remainder of 2021. “Just create designs no matter what!” Stoi loves thinking outside the fashion box, which is one of the main reasons she works hard to be different from other designers. Stoi enjoys producing a new collection every other month. She doesn’t believe in designing a collection for the season. Stoi says, “Just create designs no matter what!” Her designs are described as Couture, which means, “a garment that’s handmade and one-of-a-kind.” Hence, she can create a piece right in front of you or use the shirt off your back to create a design in minutes! Stoi loves the drama of fashion and all that comes with it! Stoi started creating designs when she was 13 years old. It was a difficult time emotionally and developmentally. She appeared younger than her stated age, “I was a late bloomer!” Stoi was bullied every day for years while in Junior High and in HS. Feeling anxious was an everyday occurrence. While in class, she would prick herself with a safety pin. She would isolate herself both as a source of comfort. Alone in her bedroom, started creating long-sleeved shirts, black in color, and down the sleeves applied safety pins in a snake-like circular design. Stoi then began creating looks with ripped jeans, frayed dresses, boots with hardware nails, and skeletons was a signature trademark. “I identified with Goth style then and still presently!”
ART EXPO Fashion Show Our art expo amazing fashion show
THE CREATIVE CULTURE ART EXPO
ART EXPO 2022
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ART EXPO 2022 •
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Ija Charles
Painter , Artist , keynote speaker for The Creative Culture Art Expo
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Kayland Hagwood
Journalist , news anchor for WLTX news , host for The Creative Culture Art Expo
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Shawn Merrick
Professional Photographer, Creative Director , owner of The Creative Culture Art Expo
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Tiana Scarlett
Creative Marketing , speaker at The Creative Culture Art Expo
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Sara Pullen
Fashion & Runway Model , speaker at The Creative Culture Art Expo
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Ashley Marie
Fashion Stylist / Style Influencer ,Prissy with Pearls, speaker at The Creative Culture Art Expo
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Bee Turner
Professional Photographer ,Bee Turner photography , speaker at The Creative Culture Art Expo
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Michael McGuirt
Art Gallery Owner, Heritage Antique mall and cafe , speaker at The Creative Culture Art Expo
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Jacquard Daniels
Hairstylist ,The Experience Salo and Spa, speaker at The Creative Culture Art Expo
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Nyiesha Muhammad
Make Up Artist , owner of Make By Nyiesha , speaker at The Creative Culture Art Expo
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Robert Matheson
Art Educator , owner of Newberry Made , speaker at The Creative Culture Art Expo
ART EXPO 2021
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ART EXPO 2021 •
The Creative Culture Art Expo
Our objective is to create an atmosphere that makes it easy for creatives to learn, grow and explore their gifts. In addition, we want to provide an environment that not only stimulates the gifts of creatives but ignites their passion to pursue them.
Our goals for The Creative Culture Art Expo is to be the ultimate place for artists to explore the world of photography, videography, modeling, acting and general creativity using teaching/training from true professionals in the respected fields. The Creative Culture Art Expo speakers will challenge the thinking of artists and push them to their potential. It will conclude with a mass photoshoot that includes fashion models featuring unique pieces which will give photography, videographers, and other expressions of art to capture images.
