Mary Carlisle

Dr. Mary E. Carlisle was born in Greenville, South Carolina. She earned a BFA in Studio Art from Converse College and MFA in Studio Art from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Additionally, she earned an MS in Arts Administration and EdD in Educational Leadership and Management with an emphasis in Creativity and Innovation from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Carlisle currently serves as Associate Professor of Art and Chair of the Department of Art, Design and Letters at Converse University. Additionally, she serves as the Program Coordinator for the BA in Studio Art and the Minor in Arts Administration.

Scholarly & Research Activity

Dr. Carlisle’s studio practice is centered around exploring alternative processes in clay. She enjoys taking her work into the community through hands-on workshops and interactive exhibits. She has served as a speaker at national, state, and regional conferences, including those held by the National Council on Education in the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), the SC Arts Education Association SCAEA), and Tri-State Sculptors (TSS).

In addition to her teaching experience, Dr. Carlisle brings over a decade of experience in various capacities in Arts Administration, including program development, marketing, and event management for arts nonprofits with an educational focus in the Philadelphia area and her home state of South Carolina. She has been a speaker at regional and national conferences, including those held by the Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE) and the Southeastern Arts Leadership Educators (SALE). Her research areas include workplace creativity practices and the fine arts’ impact on building career skills at the collegiate level.