Our Rich History: Lawson Academy of the Arts Celebrates 80 Years of Artistic Legacy

Written by Amanda Mathis

As you step into the Lawson Academy, you’re not just entering a building but a living history that has served Converse and the Spartanburg community for 80 years. This rich legacy is a testament to our commitment to the arts and the community.

In 1944, Converse established the Converse Pre-College, a teaching lab that benefits students and the community; the college provided a place for educators to practice their teaching skills before starting their careers in the classrooms. 

Lawson Academy continues to meet the creative needs of our 21st-century world with classes and private lessons open to students of all ages. 

Then, in 2006, the pre-college was renamed Lawson Academy of the Arts to honor Dr. Alia Ross Lawson, the founder who served the organization for several decades. With its long heritage of providing educational excellence in music and dance, Lawson Academy continues to meet the creative needs of our 21st-century world with classes and private lessons open to students of all ages. 

Join Us On A Creative Journey 

Our academy is a treasure trove of artistic opportunities, offering a wide range of programs, including music therapy, dance, vocal study, and instrumental lessons. Lawson Academy is not just about honing artistic skills but also about nurturing responsible citizens. Through their sessions, students gain leadership skills, participate in various camps and competitions, and contribute to the community through their performances.

“We were recently recognized by the Post & Courier Readers’ Choice Award as the best place for music lessons,” said Director of Lawson Academy of the Arts Janae O’Shields ’07 and ’09.

Lawson Academy has offered lessons in dance, music, and theatre for decades, including multiple classes on international genres open to children and adults. When taking classes at the Academy, students receive the trickle-down effect benefitting from skills of the teachers and deans at the University. 

Expanding Programming

This past fall, Assistant Professor of Music Education and Orchestra Director Tim McMurray proposed an addition to the Lawson Academy programming by offering music programs for older adults. Partnering with the national organization New Horizons, Lawson Academy will offer education opportunities to the Spartanburg community beginning in the fall of 2025.

“The addition of New Horizons goes hand in hand with the community engagement that Lawson Academy is already accomplishing,” said O’Shields.

This program is $160 per semester, with an additional $30 registration fee, and the group will practice weekly. At the end of each semester, the class will perform a free concert for the public. No prior experience is required, and there are no tryouts before classes begin.

Celebrating 30 Years of Our Fine Arts Day Camp

Many families in Spartanburg and the surrounding areas join with Converse to ignite their children’s imaginations with a creative Fine Arts Day Camp each summer. Our campers are not merely joining a two-week summer program but becoming part of a 30-year legacy of budding young artists.

“We have fantastic instructors, excellent programs, and a strong connection to our college campus.”

Janae O’Shields

“I started working with the Lawson Academy Fine Arts Camp as a college student and never left,” said O’Shields. “I consider our camp one of the best in the Upstate. We have fantastic instructors, excellent programs, and a strong connection to our college campus.” 

This year, the Lawson Academy Fine Arts Day Camp celebrates the past three decades with a summer packed with fun adventures. Each camp encompasses a theme, from the classic lessons to the best of the Fine Arts Day Camp experience. In a two-week session, campers will learn two songs, a dance, and a play, and they will build a portfolio of work to keep. Participants will enjoy lunch in Converse’s Gee dining hall, snacks, costumes, Fun Fridays, water days, guest artists, and a petting zoo. This year’s campers will enjoy a special rainbow tie-dye shirt, and the program welcomes camp alums back to family days to participate in the celebration. 

“This is a place where kids can embrace their artsy and creative sides and where they can grow socially,” said O’Shields. “We find that campers often continue their arts journey by attending arts programs in high school and college after attending our camps.”

From camp to individualized lessons, Lawson Academy encourages students of all ages to pursue a lesson, a class, or a camp experience at Converse University. With an array of opportunities to select, you will find one that fits your schedule and budget, and we look forward to being a part of your creative journey.