COLUMBIA, S.C. – Seven artists establishing themselves in their artistic pursuits will benefit from the South Carolina Arts Commission Emerging Artists program, receiving a project-based grant and career mentoring.
The SCAC defines emerging artists as being at an early stage in their artistic career development—within the first five years—with no basis in age. The seven South Carolina artists selected to each receive Emerging Artist grants ranging in amount from $1,200 to $1,800 from the SCAC in the current fiscal year (2025). They are:
- Aaron Baumgardner of Rock Hill (visual art and craft)
- Sherita Bolden of Anderson (media: screenwriting)
- Orlando Corona of Greenville (visual art)
- Teresa Dunlap of Rock Hill (visual art and craft)
- Sophie Farthing of Columbia (poetry, visual art)
- Daishanna Pearson of Bennettsville (visual art)
- Pr3scott of Orangeburg (music: performance)
An online gallery of representative works by this class is available now on SouthCarolinaArts.com: https://www.southcarolinaarts.
In addition to financial support, artists benefit from mentorship and professional support. The combined benefits are intended to deepen artistic practice and foster artistic excellence; encourage career growth, advancement, and sustainability; and provide professional development and opportunities for collaboration. The SCAC’s Emerging Artists program is managed by Artist Development Director Tanisha N. Brown.
“We are thrilled for these seven artists, all ready to expand their careers. The South Carolina Arts Commission gets to assist them with a grant providing full support of their projects, and I am honored to mentor them during the grant period,” Brown said.
“I am proud and thankful to have this opportunity. Being a SCAC Emerging Artist will propel my career and, more importantly, help me be an example for all creatives who are differently abled,” singer Jas McDaniel, who goes by Pr3scott, said.
Catawba potter Teresa Dunlap said, “I will be using this opportunity to continue to develop my artistry and body of work in both traditional Catawba pottery and longleaf pine basketry” as she works toward her first major art fair.
The SCAC awards a new cohort of emerging artists twice each fiscal year. Individual artists who reside in South Carolina and fit the criteria of an emerging artist are encouraged to apply for the FY25 second round of the Emerging Artist grant this coming fall. The full grant guidelines are available at https://www.southcarolinaarts.
