In the Community

Common Grounds Exhibition Series Opens with Human

Common Grounds: Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Practice in the Midlands is a new three-phase collaborative exhibition series celebrating the creativity and research-based practices of faculty and staff artists from colleges and universities across the Midlands.

The inaugural exhibition, Common Grounds, Part I: Human, is now on view at McMaster Gallery through August 25, 2026. This exhibition features work by Thomas Bosse, Chaz Evans & Maureen Ryan, Mackenzie Howell, Joseph Kendrick, Laura Kissel, Katy McCormack, Kelley Pettibone, Adrian Rhodes, Ellie Rose, Alexandra Stasko, and Grace Yan, exploring the many dimensions of the human experience through contemporary artistic practice.

Common Grounds was created to connect visual artists, educators, curators, and galleries across institutions while showcasing the depth and diversity of artistic research taking place throughout the region. The inaugural series includes artists from:

• University of South Carolina
• Benedict College
• Midlands Technical College
• Columbia College

The series is organized around three themes—Human, Environment, and Color—with works selected through a juried process by external juror, artist, and educator Brett Schenning. Brett holds a BFA in photography from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Savannah College of Art & Design. He is the founder and owner of Subtle Light Studios, a print lab and studio run out of his home in South Carolina. Together, these exhibitions highlight the vibrant artistic contributions of the Midlands’ academic community while fostering collaboration between institutions.

Join Us for the Opening Reception

Thursday, August 20, 2026
5:30–7:30 p.m.

McMaster Gallery
1615 Senate Street
Columbia, SC

Gallery Hours:
Monday–Friday | 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Looking Ahead

The Common Grounds exhibition series continues with Environment, on view at Goodall Gallery from January 7–February 3, 2027, followed by Color at Stormwater Studios in Summer 2027. Environment includes Laurel Archie, Dawn Hunter, Bri Kinard, Martin Lang, Yarianna Lopez, Shaina Manuel, Blair Minick, Jess Peri, Adrian Rhodes, Ellie Rose, Jackson Shaner, Blakely Sheely, Alexandra Stasko, and Grace Yan. Color will feature Megan Bickel, Anna Byars, Katie Chandler, Jasmine Cyril, Dawn Hunter, Emily Lyles, Gina Moore, Kelley Pettibone, Adrian Rhodes, Patro Ulmar, Grace Yan, and Brandon Williams.

We invite you to experience this exciting partnership that celebrates the innovation, scholarship, and creative excellence of faculty and staff artists throughout the Midlands.