Kevin Starr
Kevin Starr was born in Gastonia,
North Carolina on August 30, 1960. At 7 he began studying to
become a pianist. In high school he studied with Sister Cecelia
of Belmont Abby College, whom he held in high regard, stating
"If ever in my life I had one teacher and one great
influence, it was Cecelia." He entered college to
study piano performance under the tutelage of Dr. Paul Tardif.
In his early 20's Starr abandonded a music career and
began pursuing an interest in the creative field of hairstyling
and cosmetic make-up. He soon expanded his professional
interest to become a creative business owner of his own salon
and spa. After 15 years of a highly successful career, and
meeting many artists from the School of Art and Design in
Savannah, he discovered other creative methods such as painting
and photography. His first series, images of narrative
fashion, won instant attention and exhibits and are among his
most recognized early photographs. Mr. Starr has developed his
artistic sensibilities in many mediums including painting,
mixed media, sculpture, and photography. Through his voluminous
personal collection of art books he has studied artists and art
history, developing his own unique perspective, and inspiring
him in his personal art collecting. His art work is influenced
by experience, his continued study of the piano, and the
curiosity of human nature. His art is exhibited in galleries
nationwide, included in fine art books, and photographs
printed in international magazines.
Steve Chellis
Education: MFA Pennsylvania Academy of Fine
Arts 2007-2009
BFA University of South Carolina 1999-2009
Academic Awards and Honors: MFA Trust
Fellowship Award 2009
International School of Painting Umbria,
Italy 2003
Life Scholarship 2000
Larry Connatser
Although born in Birmingham, Alabama, Larry
Connatser was raised in Atlanta,
Georgia, which he considered his hometown.
He took his degree in literature
and philosophy at Vanderbilt University in
1961. Shortly afterwards he began,
as a self taught artist, painting in
Chicago in 1962. Returning south in 1971,
Larry moved to Savannah where he maintained
a residence - even after 1984,
when the artist’s career and
interests took him back to Atlanta, till the end of
his life in 1996.
A prolific artist, (2500 paintings) he
lived primarily by selling work from his
studio-home. Larry Connatser’s
paintings are represented in regional museums,
public buildings, corporate, and private
art collections. The Morris Museum of Art
in Augusta, Georgia, is the repository of
the Larry Connaster estate including
hundreds of paintings, papers and ephemera.
Lewis St. Louis
St. Lewis' artistic precociousness was
noticed early on and he was enrolled in the Gifted and Talented
Program at Western Carolina University at age 12. He attended
Stanford University as well as the North Carolina School of the
Arts where he was chosen for a special fine arts curriculum.
The works of Louis St. Lewis are included in several notable
museum collections, among them are The Ogden Museum for
Southern Art, The New Orleans Museum of Art, The Morris Museum
of Southern Art, The Masur Museum of Art, The Ackland Art
Museum at the University of North Carolina and the Wellington
B. Gray Gallery of Eastern Carolina University.. He has been
praised by legendary artists Andy Warhol, Robert Indiana and
Judy Chicago and is represented in a bevy of notable private
collections both here and abroad.
Louis St. Lewis has been the subject of
over 100 stories in all media from print, film to internet. His
artworks have been seen or reviewed in countless publications
including ARTFORUM, ARTPAPERS, THE SUN, THE NEW YORK TIMES, as
well as a plethora of regional publications.
Keith Cardwell
Statement
It seems to me that I have been preparing
all my life to make photographs of the Cuban experience. I have
the language. I know how to make pictures, and Cuba provides me
with the voice. The very essence, the core of this work, lies
in the loss that will inevitably occur when Fidel Castro dies.
His dreams have become reality on this magical island, and at
best the photographs oscillate between reality and mystery - in
short, Cubana (book published in hardcover 2005).
Exhibitions
Solo shows:
Flamenco and recent work, Plaza del Armas,
Havana Cuba
Flamenco Dancers. Café Metropole.
Savannah. GA
Sidcup Cowboys, West Bank Gallery,
Savannah. GA
Race Against Time, Hales Gallery, London
East Enders, Greenwich Festival, London
China photographs, Neal Street, London
Ilford Gallery, Colour work, 1986/90
Ilford Gallery, Black and White work,
1986/90
Celebrations, China photographs, Citizen's
Gallery London
Ireland photographs, Gallery on the Heath,
London
Derek Goddard
532 West 25th Street, New York City
New York 10001
