Making History At Converse: Meet Patrick Treharne ’25

Written by Amanda Mathis

Art has woven itself into Patrick Treharne’s life at different key points. Born in LeClaire, Iowa, along the Mississippi River, Treharne began his career in the arts through private lessons starting in fourth grade. During those sessions, he developed a love of painting.

This passion continued during his move to South Carolina as he furthered his art education in private studio courses through high school before pursuing a B.A. in Art Education at Converse University. “I selected Converse because of the reputation of the university’s art education programs,” said Treharne. “It is one of the best in the Upstate.”

“I selected Converse because of the reputation of the university’s art education programs.”

Patrick Treharne ’25

Now with a diploma in hand, Treharne made history in December 2025 as the first male graduate of Converse’s art education undergraduate program. “It’s a little weird being the first male,” he reflected. “My faculty were all a great resource to me and pushed me to make quality work.”

Converse’s art education program prepares future art teachers to be ready for the classroom and beyond. Students learn techniques for creative expression, how to create and then execute lesson plans, and hone their understanding of relevant developmental theories of child art.

While at Converse, Treharne discovered ceramics, took a 3D course, and enjoyed it.

“Sometimes I sit at the wheel and throw a shape,” he reflected. “You don’t know what you’re going to create until you get there.”

During Hurricane Helene, Treharne began a journey to find abandoned street signs and turn them into works of art, creating graphic artist-on-metal pieces that reflect his personal journey through loss. His recent art show in the Milliken Art Gallery on campus confronted the “heaviness, absurdity, and dark humor of life’s challenges using materials and processes that embody the dialogue between what endures and what fades.”

“In more than 21 years of working in the Milliken Building, no one has come in daily at 6:30 a.m. to throw pots before their 9 a.m. classes, except Patrick.”

Professor Andrew Blanchard

Professor of Studio Art Andrew Blanchard noted Treharne’s talent and dedication. “Patrick has an innate kindling for making art, no matter the medium,” Blanchard said. “His inherent ability to work at a high volume and continually produce aesthetically pleasing outcomes is the epitome of the ‘quality through quantity’ pedagogical method. In more than 21 years of working in the Milliken Building, no one has come in daily at 6:30 a.m. to throw pots before their 9 a.m. classes, except Patrick.”

When not creating 3D art, Treharne is capturing his ideas in a sketchbook.

“Sketchbooks are where you brainstorm,” he said. “I could never get into drawing on an iPad; I like the pencil to paper.”

Now that Treharne is out working in the field, when he’s not painting murals for local businesses, he is also creating pottery and is interested in teaching art to future generations.

For more about Treharne’s work, visit his website to learn about upcoming events and shows.