Alvin Staley
The American University, 1981, M.F.A in Painting
Alvin is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has spent a large portion of his life living in South Carolina. Alvin received his early academic training in the public schools of South Carolina. He received the greater of his artistic training in the museums, schools, and galleries in the Washington, D. C. area.
Alvin completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education from Claflin University in 1976. He graduated Magna Cum Laude. In 1980, Alvin received an American University Fellowship to pursue study in the university’s Master of Fine Arts Painting program. During his first year at American University, he was selected to participate in the prestigious David Lloyd Kreeger Award Exhibit. In 1981, Alvin received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting from The American University in Washington, DC.
Since 1976, Alvin has been an active artist and educator. He has taught in the public schools of Greenville, Florence, Orangeburg, and Colleton County. He has also worked in the art programs of Morris College, Voorhees College, and South Carolina State University. Previously, he worked as an artist-in-residence for Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, and adjunct professor at Claflin University. Alvin is the former Art Department Chairman and Director of the Arthur Rose Museum at Claflin University. Mr. Staley is listed in several editions of “WHO’S WHO IN AMERICA” and “WHO’S WHO AMONG AMERICA’S TEACHERS.” He has exhibited his work nationally and has received numerous awards, including “BEST IN SHOW” at the 2003 and 2009 South Carolina State Fair Juried Art Exhibit. He is the “2002 NBSC OIL PAINTERS INVITATIONAL EXHIBIT” “First Place” winner. In 2011, Alvin received the “SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR "FINE ART SPIRIT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD." In 2017, Alvin was awarded the prestigious “ALBERT NELSON MARQUIS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD," bestowed by Marquis Who’s Who. He is represented in numerous collections throughout the country.
As an artist, Alvin works to establish convincing pictorial space within his compositions. Through his works, he resolves the problem of organizing spatial positions that have been altered using diverse degrees and types of light. Alvin strives to create compositions that are abstractly sound and realistically accurate. He achieves these results through his use of value modification, textural assimilation, line variation, and color harmony.
In terms of content, his artwork expresses his Christian beliefs, concerns, doctrines, and fascination with the souls of people. In many of his works, he utilizes scriptural references to identify the biblical passages related to the works. In various compositions, Alvin employs personalized icons that represent his visual concept of God. He places these icons within his works to express the relationship that exist between God and the subject or subjects portrayed. Through his portraits, Alvin strives to reveal the inner essence of the subject. Essentially, his works express the relationship that exists between God, his family, mankind, and himself. It is his hope that his artworks will glorify God, edify the saints, and enlighten humanity.
Alvin Staley
153 Harvey Lane · Orangeburg, South Carolina 29118 · Home (803) 534-4727
E-Mail: AS577@AOL.COM
STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES:
Seeks opportunity to exhibit art works. Through my works, I have resolved the problem of organizing spatial positions that I have altered using diverse degrees and types of light.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
• SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR "FINE ART SPIRIT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD," 2011.
• Listed in "MARQUIS WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA,” 2007 – 2009, 2013.
• Listed in "WHO'S WHO AMONG AMERICA'S TEACHERS, 1996 - 2007.
ART AWARDS:
• Juror’s Award. “A SENSE OF PLACE” FINE ART COMPETITION, GERTRUDE HERBERT INSTITUTE OF ART, Augusta, Georgia. 2015.
• Semifinalist, OUTWIN BOOCHEVER PORTRAIT COMPETITION 2016, NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. Washington, DC. 2015.
• Best in Show. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 2009.
• Second Place. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS JURIED ART SHOW, Greenwood, South Carolina. 2009.
• Second Place. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS JURIED ART SHOW, Greenwood, South Carolina. 2008.
• State Fair Award of Merit. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 2007.
• Jennie J. Branham Award of Merit. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 2006.
• Second Place. Painting. PICCOLO SPOLETO FESTIVAL JURIED ART EXHIBITION, Charleston Visitor Center, Charleston, South Carolina. 2005.
• Honorable Mention. Painting. THE NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTH CAROLINA 23nd ANNUAL OIL PAINTERS OPEN INVITATIONAL, Sumter Gallery of Art, Sumter, South Carolina. 2005.
• Dorothy W. Ryall Merit Award. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 2005, 2004.
• Honorable Mention. Painting. THE NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTH CAROLINA 22nd ANNUAL OIL PAINTERS OPEN INVITATIONAL, Sumter Gallery of Art, Sumter, South Carolina. 2004.
• Best in Show. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 2003.
• Third Place. Painting. PICCOLO SPOLETO FESTIVAL JURIED ART EXHIBITION, Charleston Visitor Center, Charleston, South Carolina. 2003.
• Honorable Mention. Painting. 25TH ANNUAL GILBERT CONSTRUCTION – FLORENCE MUSEUM STATE-WIDE ART COMPETITION EXHIBITION, Florence Museum, Florence, South Carolina. 2003.
• First Place. Painting. THE NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTH CAROLINA 21st ANNUAL OIL PAINTERS OPEN INVITATIONAL, Sumter Gallery of Art, Sumter, South Carolina. 2002.
• David K. Phillips Merit Award. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 2001.
•· Anonymous Merit Award. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 2000.
• South Carolina State Fair Traveling Exhibition. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 2000, 1999.
• About Face Merit Award. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 1999.
• Iris C. Demates Merit Award. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 1997.
• Second Prize. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 1996.
• Best of Show. Painting/Drawing. ORANGEBURG COUNTY PROFESSIONAL ART EXHIBIT, Orangeburg, South Carolina.2005, 2003, 2001, 1996, 1994, 1993.
• H. Rubin Vision Center Merit Award. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 1993.
• H. Page Schaefer Merit Award. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 1992.
• Second Prize. Drawing. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 1990, 1987.
• First Prize. Drawing. Second Prize. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 1988.
• Honorable Mention. Drawing. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 1986.
• Third Prize. Painting. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Columbia, South Carolina. 1985.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
• 2014 "ICONS AND IMAGES: CHRISTIAN METAPHORS," North Charleston City Gallery, North Charleston, South Carolina.
• 2013 "VOYAGE: THE QUEST FOR THE ETERNAL" The Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County - Monsanto Gallery, Camden, South Carolina.
• 2012 "COMING HOME" The Arthur Rose Museum, Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
• 2010 "FAMILY DEVOTION" The Monsanto Gallery, Lander University, Greenwood, South Carolina.
• 2006 "BENEDICTIONS," The HOFP Gallery, Columbia, South Carolina.
• 2006 "SCRIPTURALLY SPEAKING," The Arthur Rose Museum, Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
• 2004 BURWELL GALLERY, The Spartanburg County Museum of Art, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
• 1992 THE SMITH CENTER GALLERY, Francis Marion University, Florence, South Carolina.
• 1992 RETROSPECTIVE, "ICONS AND IMAGES," The Goodall Gallery, Columbia College, Columbia, South Carolina.
• 1990 LOFT GALLERY, Columbia College, Columbia, South Carolina
• 1987 FLORENCE MUSEUM, Florence, South Carolina.
• 1985 RESTROSPECTIVE 85, Middleton Fine Arts Center, Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
• 1982 LANCASTER FINE ARTS CENTER, Lancaster, South Carolina
• 1973 MIDDLETON FINE ARTS CENTER, Claflin College, Orangeburg, South Carolina
GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
• 2016 A SENSE OF PLACE: FINE ART COMPETITION, Gertrude Herbert Institute Of Art, Augusta, Georgia.
• 2016 SPOKEN: PORTRAITS IN BLACK, Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia, South Carolina.
• 2016 CAROLINA BLEND, Greenwood Arts Center, Greenwood, South Carolina.
• 2016 CREATIVE COUPLES, Goodall Gallery, Columbia College, Columbia, South Carolina.
• 2015 A SENSE OF PLACE: FINE ART COMPETITION, Gertrude Herbert Institute Of Art, Augusta, Georgia.
• 2015 INTERIOR/EXTERIOR, Dalton Gallery, Center for the Arts, Rock Hill, South Carolina.
• 2014 METRO MONTAGE XIV, Marietta-Cobb Museum of Art, Marietta, Georgia.
• 2014 "ICONS AND IMAGES: CHRISTIAN METAPHORS, North Charleston City Gallery, North Charleston, South Carolina.
• 2014 SPIRIT AND MEMORY: CONTEMPORARY EXPRESSIONS OF CULTURAL HERITAGE, City Gallery at Waterfront Park, Charleston, South Carolina.
• 2010 CAROLINA’S GOT JURIED ART SHOW, Atherton Mill Art Gallery, Charlotte, North Carolina.
• 2009 SOUTH CAROLINA FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS JURIED ART SHOW, Greenwood Arts Center, Greenwood, South Carolina.
• 2008 SOUTH CAROLINA STATE MUSEUM 2OTH ANNIVERSARY JURIED ART EXHIBITION, South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, South Carolina.
• 2008 “ALL IN THE FAMILY”, North Charleston City Gallery, North Charleston, South Carolina.
• 2008 2ND ANNUAL ART TEACHER INVITATIONAL ART EXHIBIT, Goodall Galley, R. Wright Music-Art Center, Columbia College, Columbia, South Carolina.
• 2007 THE NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTH CAROLINA 24nd ANNUAL OIL PAINTERS OPEN INVITATIONAL, Sumter Gallery of Art, Sumter, South Carolina.
• 2005 THE NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTH CAROLINA 23nd ANNUAL OIL PAINTERS OPEN INVITATIONAL, Sumter Gallery of Art, Sumter, South Carolina.
• 2005 PICCOLO SPOLETO FESTIVAL JURIED ART EXHIBITION, Charleston Visitor Center, Charleston, South Carolina.
• 2005 27TH ANNUAL GILBERT CONSTRUCTION – FLORENCE MUSEUM STATE-WIDE ART COMPETITION EXHIBITION, Florence Museum, Florence, South Carolina.
• 2004 THE NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTH CAROLINA 22nd ANNUAL OIL PAINTERS OPEN INVITATIONAL, Sumter Gallery of Art, Sumter, South Carolina.
• 2003 PICCOLO SPOLETO FESTIVAL JURIED ART EXHIBITION, Charleston Visitor Center, Charleston, South Carolina.
• 2003 25TH ANNUAL GILBERT CONSTRUCTION – FLORENCE MUSEUM STATE-WIDE ART COMPETITION EXHIBITION, Florence Museum, Florence, South Carolina.
• 2002 THE NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTH CAROLINA 21st ANNUAL OIL PAINTERS OPEN INVITATIONAL, Sumter Gallery of Art, Sumter, South Carolina.
• 2001 COLUMBIA COLLECTS, Art from the collections of the citizens of Columbia,SC., Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina.
• 2000 FACULTY EXHIBIT, Governor's School For The Arts and Humanities, Greenville, South Carolina.
• 1999 ART, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY: ARTISTS AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS, Stanback Museum, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
• 1999 STALEYS: ART IN THE FAMILY, Orangeburg Arts Center, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
• 1998 BORDER BIENNIAL, Museum of York County, Rock Hill, South Carolina.
• 1995 MAN AND WIFE EXHIBIT, Voorhees College, Denmark, South Carolina
• 1994 ARTHUR ROSE AND STUDENTS, Arthur Rose Gallery, Claflin College, Orangeburg, South Carolina
• 1994 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, The South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, South Carolina.
• 1994 THE ELEGANT EGG, McKissick Museum, The University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
• 1991 STATEMENTS OF HERITAGE: VARIANT AMERICAN VISIONS, South Carolina State Museum, Columbia, South Carolina. "Catalogue"
• 1990 GALLERY INVITATIONAL EXHIBIT, Veerhoff Galleries, Washington, D.C.
• 1989 SHADES AND VALUES, Stanback Museum, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
• 1988 THE GUILD OF SOUTH CAROLINA ARTIST 38TH ANNUAL JURIED ART EXHIBIT, Spartanburg Arts Center, Spartanburg, South Carolina. "Catalogue."
• 1988 FACULTY EXHIBIT 88, Governor's School For The Arts, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina.
• 1987 63RD NATIONAL SPRINGVILLE APRIL SALON, Springville Museum, Springville, Utah. "Catalogue."
• 1987 MAN AND WIFE EXHIBIT, Cultural Arts Center, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
• 1987 MOJA FESTIVAL INVITATIONAL EXHIBIT, Dock Street Gallery, Charleston, South Carolina.
• 1987 MAN AND WIFE EXHIBIT, Florence Museum, Florence, South Carolina.
• 1985 STANBACK MUSEUM, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
• 1985 UTAH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, American Folk, Utah.
• 1985 61ST NATIONAL SPRINGVILLE APRIL SALON, Springville Museum, Springville, Utah. "Catalogue."
• 1985 THE GUILD OF SOUTH CAROLINA ARTISTS 35TH ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBIT, Gibbs Gallery, Charleston, South Carolina.
• 1985 GROUP INVITATIONAL EXHIBIT, Dock Street Gallery, Charleston, South Carolina.
• 1985 GROUP INVITATIONAL EXHIBIT, Old Custom House, Charleston, South Carolina.
• 1985 NBSC OIL PAINTER'S INVITATIONAL EXHIBIT, Sumter Gallery, South Carolina.
• 1984 Claflin College, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
• 1983 MAN AND WIFE EXHIBIT, Calhoun County Museum, St. Matthew, South Carolina.
• 1982 NATIONAL CAUSUS OF BLACK LEGISLATORS CONVENTION, Hilton Head, South Carolina.
• 1981 DAVID LLOYD KREEGER AWARD EXHIBIT, Watkins Gallery, The American University, Washington, D.C.
• 1980 MAN AND WIFE EXHIBIT, Citizen Bank and Trust Company, Hyattsville, Maryland.
• 1980 MAN AND WIFE EXHIBIT, Southern Bank and Trust Company Headquarters, Greenville, South Carolina
• 1980 SOUTH CAROLINA ARTS COMMISSION ANNUAL EXHIBIT, Lee Gallery, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina.
• 1979 PEE DEE REGIONAL, Florence Museum, Florence, South Carolina.
• 1978 MAN AND WIFE EXHIBIT, Florence Museum, Florence, South Carolina.
• 1976 CALHOUN COUNTY MUSEUM, St. Matthew, South Carolina.
• 1974-75 VOORHEES COLLEGE, Denmark, South Carolina
EDUCATION:
August 1981 The American University, Washington, D.C. Master of Fine Arts, Painting/Drawing. Participated in the "David Lloyd Kreeger Award" Exhibit.
December 1976 Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina. Bachelor of Art, Art Education
July 2007-08 New Hampshire Institute of Art, Manchester, New Hampshire
July 2006 Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
June 2005 Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio
June 2004 School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois