By Robert W. Dalton

Riley Jones ’24 spent the fall semester teaching art and learning about herself.

Jones, an art history and psychology double major from Irmo, South Carolina, was one of three Wofford students who taught in an arts outreach program for elementary school students from Spartanburg County.

“Being able to teach something I’m passionate about and seeing them get passionate about it is very rewarding,” says Jones. “I want them to see that art can give them a sense of identity and they can create something they can be proud of.”

Each Tuesday and Thursday throughout the semester, students from 12 elementary schools from Spartanburg districts 2, 3 and 7 who attend Kids Club of the Upstate (formerly Boys and Girls Club) came to campus for the program. The program started in 2017, and sessions were previously held once a month.

Dr. Youmi Efurd, Wofford’s museum curator, says the goal of the program is twofold.

“First, we want to teach the elements and principles of art,” Efurd says. “Beyond teaching them about art, we wanted them to come to campus so they could see we are open and they could come back. We wanted them to see we are close to the community.”

Sessions included visits to the galleries inside the Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts to view the exhibits and discuss different styles and media. There also were brief classroom presentations. But the heart of the program was helping the students with their creations.

“We do a little lesson, but we really want them to relax and have fun,” says Maceon Urueta ’22, an art history major from Greenville, South Carolina. “We want them to have an introduction to art history and the creative arts, but it’s not overly emphasized. We want them to enjoy it and to help them have a creative outlet.”

Olivia Hartley ’23, an art history major from Barnwell, South Carolina, says the program’s impact on the students is obvious.

“This is a great experience for them to have,” she says. “We want the kids to be open to new experiences, and it’s rewarding to see how they’ve grown.”