carolyn
govan
My Sisters of the World
IN THE PAST, CAROLYN WORKED WITH THE I HAVE A DREAM
FOUNDATION, based in Clio, South Carolina. “This foundation
ART HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE WITHIN CAROLYN
to teach in ‘poor’ school districts so I could enlighten
GOVAN’S HEART. As a child, Carolyn’s mother would read
those children more by opening new doors.” Enlighten
her stories while her father brought them to life with his
she certainly did, as many of her students went on to win
illustrations. Little did the family know at the time, but
prizes at local, county, and state levels. “I tried to teach
Carolyn would go on to develop a passion for drawing.
them that it is not where you come from but what you
Facing many struggles with her health as a child, Carolyn
do with your art skills once you learn them.” Throughout
utilized her drawing skills as an outlet to make herself
her teaching care er, Carolyn has taught art history to first
feel better when she couldn’t go outside and play. Her
and second grade students, and paint brush techniques
favorite subject was box-shaped cars, and she is remind-
to seventh and eighth graders. “I will go anywhere if it
ed of this when she sees this style of car today. “People
means I can spread the love of the arts.”
are riding around in those same shaped cars I drew in the
first grade!”
Many
artists
specialize
in
certain
styles.
Carolyn’s style just so happens to be storytelling,
When she was fourteen, Carolyn completed a “Draw Me!”
especially with black history and current events. “I am
picture and sent it into an art school. The response was
a detailer in my work. Some people said that I am a
well received. “My parents, who could not really afford it,
primitive painter; some describe me as a folk artist or
made sure that I had the opportunity to learn at the Min-
regional artist.” While people’s actions serve as a main
neapolis Art School of Design by agreeing to pay for my
source of inspiration for her work, she’s also drawn to
lessons through mail order. Despite having ten children,
colors and shapes found in nature. “My work is not so
my parents never missed a payment during my three
much about the subjects but more of what they are doing.
years in school.” Her parents encouraged her throughout
My painting, The Visit, shares the story of something
her pursuit of the arts, reminding Carolyn to always be
we no longer have a great number of today - the mid-
herself and remember the power and strength of prayer.
wife. My great-great-grandmother was a midwife, and
This time in her life was particularly special as she was
my aunt and daughter are nurses, so this painting is
the first child to attend college and the first student to
my way of preserving the love of new life.” Influenced
receive a degree in art education at South Carolina State
by classic artists such as Van Gogh and Monet, Carolyn
College. During her junior year of college, Carolyn worked
enjoys the freedom of expressing herself in color, shapes,
in the University Year for Action program (a component
and form through her preferred medium of acrylic. Her
of the Peace Corps). Assigned to the Head Start sector,
most cherished works of art are Madam and Chatter
Carolyn wrote an art program for young children. She
Chatter Queen Bee, both of which tell the story of her
also helped design their playground using shapes,
mother. The most challenging piece was also one of the
colors, and letter designs on the playground equipment.
most heartbreaking to create, the Nine Rivers of Tears.
Carolyn would go on to teach art in the public school
“This shows the coming together of people after a brutal
system for over forty years. “I always say I have been
killing of nine people in God’s house. This painting is my
blessed to teach children of all social standings. I chose
way of healing.”
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provides a four-year college education if the applicants have
good grades and stay in the program from K-12 to graduation.
They provide an after-school program, as well as mentors for the
students.” Currently, she is a part of the South Sixth Street and
Elohim Outreach, based in Hartsville, South Carolina. “This provides social, artistic, and spiritual outreach for children in the
community.” As a former Board Member of the South Carolina
Art Commission, a position to which she was appointed by Governor Jim Hodges and Governor Mark Sanford in 2001, Carolyn
assisted in making major funding decisions concerning art in
schools, art groups, and art programs across South Carolina. “I
had a great time meeting artists all over the state, from a soap
maker to a ballet dancer. I got to know the other side of the coin,
how we must be a watchdog for the arts in this state. One of the
ways to measure a culture is by their artists.” While these programs differ, Carolyn has been deeply impacted by each.
In 2007, Carolyn was inducted into the South Carolina Black
Hall of Fame. “This is an honor I share with my family. I feel my
husband, Charles, deserves it as much as I do for putting up with
long hours of my working, painting, and preparing for shows
and workshops all over the state.” One of the most meaningful
accomplishments, however, was when she was asked to exhibit
her work in support of the South Carolina State Art Foundation
to raise money for the arts. “I have done four of those shows.”
The awards she’s won over the years are quite impressive as
well. “I have won four blue ribbons and two red ribbons at the
Eastern Carolina Fair, the Florence Museum’s Pee Dee Chick
Award, two honorable mentions and two red ribbons at the
State Fair, two blue ribbons and one honorable mention at the
Hartsville Museum, and the I.P. Standback Orangeburg South
Carolina Cotton Trail Artist.”
Each show in which Carolyn participates makes her feel that
childlike joy one experiences on Christmas morning. Although
her schedule is busy, she hopes to work a show in Sumter in the
not-so-distant future. For this artist, there are no plans to slow
down any time soon. “I always have something in the works.”
Carolyn McCoy Govan resides in Hartsville, South Carolina, with her husband of thirty-nine years, Charles. They have three daughters: Michelle
Seymore, Wanda Augusta, and Dione. They also have four grandchildren:
Jaswan, Jasmine, Tahjae, and Alyssea. Carolyn’s work can currently be
viewed at Black Creek Arts Center in Hartsville.
APRIL 2016
67