Southeast Center for Photography partners with The South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University

Southeast Center for Photography is pleased to announce its newly established association with The South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University.

The Department of Art & Design at Anderson University currently offers a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in numerous artistic areas but does not currently have a concentration in photography. A photography program is in development and approval stages, and may be available to students as early as August of 2019. Anderson offers students photography classes and considers it an important part of their art curriculum. The current classes focus on giving students in-depth knowledge of traditional black and white photography and fostering appreciation for traditional photography techniques, as well as digital and alternative media.

Michael Pannier, Director of Southeast Center for Photography, is passionate about inspiring appreciation for fine photography in the community. To achieve this, Pannier hosts monthly juried shows for invited artists from across the globe to share their photography with the Greenville community. For some, it is their first experience presenting their work to an audience in a studio setting. Pannier also teaches classes and workshops that help other photographers develop new skills and discover inspiration for their work.

The Anderson partnership with Southeast Center for Photography will support a photography concentration and build resources for students. “This partnership with Southeast Center for Photography will be an excellent resource for the photography concentration area,” said Jo Carol Mitchell-Rogers, Associate Dean of the South Carolina School of the Arts. “I am confident that Michael Pannier and his team at the center will be valuable assets to our students interested in pursuing photography. We appreciate his commitment to the educational outreach of the Southeast Center for Photography,” she continued. Pannier will also be teaching students practical skills such as how to work with clients when planning exhibitions, communicate with other artists and support themselves financially through photography.

Pannier will strengthen the program in a number of ways such as teaching studio lighting and techniques. Internships will also be available to students, as well as the opportunity to participate in student juried shows at the center. Students will experience in presenting their own photography to an audience and receiving feedback from other local artists. “I always look for opportunities to help young photographers develop the skills they need to succeed outside the classroom,” Pannier said. “This partnership will be a great way for me to pass on everything I have learned and hopefully help other artists pursue their own passions.”

The South Carolina School of the Arts has had a number of students graduate from their programs that have gone on to earn other degrees in MFA programs. They are hopefully that this partnership with Southeast Center for Photography will perpetuate students that go on to seek graduate school opportunities like these.