The City of North Charleston’s Cultural Arts Department announced that paintings by current North Charleston Artist-in-Residence Kenish Harmon will be on display at the Park Circle Community Building from Sept. 22 to Oct. 4, 2025. Harmon will give an artist talk Friday, Sept. 26, from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by a public reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
Harmon was selected as the third of four artists in the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department’s quarterly Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program at the Park Circle Community Building. Her three-month residency began in July and concludes at the end of September. The City’s AIR program serves as a visual art ambassador for the North Charleston community. Along with creating new work in the 270-square-foot AIR studio in the Park Circle Community Building and hosting open studio hours, Harmon also offered a free art workshop in August in collaboration with the Cultural Arts Department, providing an opportunity for artistic engagement for North Charleston residents.
Harmon’s exhibition, Mad World, marks the launch of an ongoing series. The satirical collection confronts the chaos of modern times, laying the foundation for a broader narrative that critiques global and national governments, epidemics, paradox and social justice. The exhibit, presented as the conclusion to Harmon’s residency, features several new pieces created during her three-month studio tenure.
Harmon (formerly known as Magwood) describes herself as a high-functioning introvert—or ambivert—who aims to address identity, diversity and controversy through vibrant artistry and open dialogue. She strives to use her artistic talent to promote change and initiate conversation. Born in Stuttgart, Germany, to military parents, she is the youngest of three children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in studio art from Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and a master of fine arts degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She taught art at Baptist Hill Middle/High School in Charleston for three years before teaching for four years as an art professor at Morgan State University in Baltimore. After a short hiatus, she has returned to art education. She currently lives in Charleston with her husband, Jay, their adopted cat, Simba, and their Chihuahua puppy, Arya. Learn more about the artist at www.thatartnerdcs.com
The Park Circle Community Building is at 4800 Park Circle in North Charleston. Exhibition hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information about the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department’s AIR program, as well as other programs, exhibits and events, can be found on the Cultural Arts section of the City’s website at https://culturalarts.northcharleston.org