Our last resident artist of 2023 in the Koger Center’s Nook Gallery is David West. West is currently a visual arts teacher and the Fine Arts Department Dean at White Knoll High School in Lexington, SC. West’s formal education in the arts includes a year of Commercial Art training in a vocational school, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting, and a Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus on Art Education. For 13 years, West worked as a graphic designer, relishing the challenge of crafting designs that met the needs of diverse clients.
His journey into teaching art began when he took on the role of organizing and conducting figure drawing sessions for the “About Face” figure study group at the Columbia Museum of Art. Encouragement from fellow art educators within the group led him to explore a career in art education.
Art has been a constant companion for West throughout his life, operating as “an enduring source of inspiration and fascination.” His artistic journey was shaped by the influential figures in his family, particularly his mother, who loved painting, and his grandfather, whom he calls “a true Renaissance man” due to his background in architecture and talent for engineering, drawing, painting, and designing. While harboring an interest in multiple forms of visual art, West has been enamored with woodcut printmaking ever since he participated in the printmaking program at the University of South Carolina.
In his upcoming show in the Nook, there is work from West’s past, examples made from high school art lessons, and some of his current work. He often draws from the “canvas of [his] own life experiences” as he weaves personal narratives into universal themes in his work. He aims to create art that resonates with the viewer on an emotional level, avoiding overt or blatant expressions of ideas. He encourages the viewer to bring their unique feelings and experiences to his work, connecting his artistic expression to their own life stories. He views his work as a bridge, inviting others to explore and reflect on the shared human experience while his own artistic journey continues to evolve and inspire.
The opening reception for West’s exhibit is November 17, 2023, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. and will be up until January of 2024. The reception is free and open to the public.