Visual Arts

We like to think of Converse as an artistic resource, not just for our students but for the Spartanburg community as a whole. Our art exhibitions are open to the public and offer visual treats that inspire, inform, surprise and delight even the most sophisticated gallery patrons.

The Milliken Art Gallery is itself a unique and beautiful space. With glass walls on two sides, there’s natural light streaming in during the day, and visual access to exhibitions even at night. During most of the year, the gallery is filled with the work of professional artists. Besides these exhibits, the gallery often hosts workshops and lectures by visiting artists and scholars. In April and May, the gallery displays the work of Converse students.

The J Frank Toms Permanent Collection housed in the Milliken Fine Arts Building, contains works by some of the most famous twentieth-century artists, such as Roy Lichtenstein, Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, and Andy Warhol. The Elliot Offner gift of works on paper, displayed in the main Art and Design office, includes prints by important artists such as Rembrandt and Goya. The Claire Miller Hopkins Collection is also on display. These and other works in our collections, are used for classroom instruction, and some are accessible to the public.

It’s hard to come to Converse and not learn something about art, even if you aren’t majoring in it. You’ll hear art and design majors buzzing about their latest projects, or the overseas art trips they’re going on. Maybe you’ll peek in one of our semi-private BFA studios and spot some interesting new piece. The campus itself is even sprinkled with beautiful bronze sculptures depicting prominent women in American history. But no matter what you’re here to study, or even if you’re just visiting, you’re sure to feel the energy behind this place with its love of art and its dedication to creativity.