October 21, 2025

The Coastal Discovery Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is presenting “Four Sketchbooks a Year: Celebrating 25 Years of the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities,” a showcase of visual arts by Beaufort County alumni, on view through January 4, 2026.

Founded in 1980 by music teacher Virginia Uldrick as a five-week summer program in Greenville, SC, the Governor’s School opened its full-time residential high school in 1999 with 126 students and celebrated its 25th graduating class in 2025.

“As a curator and parent of a Govie, it’s been a joy to see such consistently strong work from students in the visual arts program,” said Elizabeth Greenberg, Director of Exhibitions at the Coastal Discovery Museum. “And it’s so rewarding to see how the artists continue to grow in college and beyond.”

Participating artists in “Four Sketchbooks”— from the Governor’s School first class through the class of 2026—include: Emma Barnes (class of 2010), Alex Coley (class of 2024), Amelie Davis (class of 2025), Evan Ford (class of 2024), Alex Gentemann (class of 2021), Colleen Gleason (class of 2001), Nathaniel Greenberg (class of 2025), Kevin Hopkins (class of 2018), Tori Lusik (class of 2014), Luis Paredes (class of 2026), Jack Perry (class of 2007), Olivia Ruxton (class of 2005), Jessie Peterson Tarazi (class of 2002), and Wylder Voegele (class of 2020).

"We are excited about this opportunity to showcase our program and the work of these talented Beaufort County students,” said David Gerhard, Visual Arts Department Chair at the Governor’s School. “These artists embody our department's mission of giving South Carolina's young creatives the tools and resources to flourish as artists in an environment centered around respect, hard work, creativity, and connection."

About the Governor’s School and the Visual Arts Program
For 25 years, the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH), in Greenville, SC has cultivated young artists from across the state through exceptional pre-professional arts training led by established, practicing artists and scholars in an environment of artistic and academic excellence. To learn more, visit: www.scgsah.org.

Visual Arts Program at SCGSAH
In addition to their academic courses, visual arts students take daily three-hour studio classes across a range of media including drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, photography, metals/jewelry, graphic design, blacksmithing, game art, and animation. Regular evening studios and special lectures from professional artists round out the unique and rigorous training. Throughout the school year, students are required to maintain a practice of four sketchbooks a year.

About the Coastal Discovery Museum
The Coastal Discovery Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is an educational and cultural organization whose mission is to provide experiences that inspire people to care for the Lowcountry. Founded in 1985 and located on Hilton Head’s historic Honey Horn grounds, the Museum offers exhibitions, programs, lectures, hands-on workshops, and events that explore Lowcountry history, culture, art, and the environment.

Visitor Information
Admission is free. The Coastal Discovery Museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head, SC 29926. Hours are Monday–Saturday, 9 am–4:30 pm, and Sunday, 11 am–4:30 pm.