A week of creative inspiration and cultural celebration recently captivated students at Beaufort Elementary School and Lady’s Island Elementary School. From November 17–21, the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina sponsored a highly successful Artist in Residence program, treating 4th and 5th graders to a celebration of island culture and life.
The immersive program featured a dynamic duo of literary and artistic talent: Tim Davis, best known for his iconic Hidden Picture illustrations in Highlights Magazines and his popular 'Island Rule' chapter books, and Baptiste Paul, a St. Lucian-born children's book author.
Students spent the week engaged in creative writing and illustration workshops, culminating in an interactive assembly at each school. The sessions focused on celebrating the unique spirit and landscape of island life, encouraging students to develop their own storytelling and drawing skills. The program’s impact was immediately clear.
The feedback from school administrators and teachers was overwhelmingly positive:
- “The assembly was AWESOME! Thank you for this outstanding experience!” – Joshua L. Wall, M.Ed, Assistant Principal, Lady’s Island Elementary School
- “WE LOVED them!!! We want them to come back!!! The kids ADORED them!!! THANK YOU!!!” – Treva H. Kent, MS, Visual Art Teacher, Beaufort Elem.
The success of this week-long residency underscores the value of arts education in local schools. This program is administered by the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and is made possible through funding provided in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
For a look inside the program and to hear from the artists and students, watch the advocacy video produced by the Beaufort County School District: Artists in Residency Workshops | Puppeteer, Authors & Illustrators