“As I See It”: Exhibit of Works by Sylvia Spears

For Information: Gibson Smith, gibsmith@innova.net or 864-486-8994,

or Beverly Knight, 864-585-8912

Artist’s Contact Information:

            The works in the exhibit are oil on canvass, including cityscapes, landscapes, figurative works and still life works. Spears chose the title of the exhibit because she tends to paint subjects that mean something to her, that are a part of her experience.

“I also like to think that I can put my own personal spin, if you will, on a subject, to show more depth and emotion,” the artist says.

            Spears moved to Spartanburg after graduating from Winthrop College with a degree in Studio Art and Art Education. She earned a master’s degree in Art Education from the University of South Carolina and taught elementary school art in Spartanburg District 3. Though she no longer teaches, she remains connected to the education aspect of art by doing screening for the Art Visions Gifted program in District 6 and teaching at the Summer Arts Institute for District 6 elementary students.

Spears was always interested in art, but until her senior year in high school she had no real opportunities to study and take classes in art.  “So I went into college as an art major very cold but eager and worked really hard to catch up,” the artist says, crediting the chair of the art department at Winthrop, Edmund Lewandowski, with encouraging and inspiring her to realize her potential as an artist.

She says that she always tried to keep producing art, even when work or her children took precedence. For the past six years, since returning to painting full-time, Spears has worked almost exclusively in oils, a medium which she says is well-suited to her representational style of painting that is loose and full of color.

“I try to instill in my work the life that I feel emanates from the subject, even if it is an inanimate object,” Spears says of the work in which she explores the relationship between color and form to show the energy this relationship can bring to a painting.

“When I look at my work and feel it is alive and that it can evoke an emotional response, then I have achieved my goal.”

An artist’s reception, free and open to the public, will be held Aug. 2, 6 – 8 p.m.

            The exhibit continues through Aug. 31. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, 2 – 5 p.m. Sunday.

The Guild Gallery is located in the Spartanburg Arts Center , 383 S. Spring Street. For information, contact Gibson Smith, 864-486-8994.