January 7, 2026

YORK COUNTY ARTS NEWS

Featured News

Encoded Surface, works by Thomas Schmidt

Dalton Gallery | Center for the Arts

121 E. Main Street., Rock Hill, SC

Encoded Surface by Thomas Schmidt explores the intersection of digital fabrication and traditional ceramics, examining how emerging technologies influence materiality, texture, and form. This exhibition presents a comprehensive survey of Schmidt's research into Post-Digital Craft, highlighting how digital tools—such as 3D printing, scanning, and computational modeling—converge with the tactility and historical resonance of ceramics.

By engaging local artists, educators, students, and collectors, Encoded Surface encourages critical discussions on how digital tools are reshaping craft traditions and artistic production.

ALSO ON DISPLAY:

PERIMETER GALLERY | My Battery is Low and It's Getting Dark, works by Megan Bickel

CLASSROOM GALLERY | YPA Middle School Showcase, works curated by John Rhodes

GALLERY EXHIBIT

January 5 - February 7, 2026

10 AM - 8 PM

RECEPTION

Thursday, February 5, 2026

5:30 - 7:30 PM

BRIDGE THE GAP

Youth Art Classes

Center for the Arts | Edmund D. Lewandowski Classroom Gallery

121 E. Main Street. Rock Hill, SC

SPRING SESSIONS

Select Mondays

January 5 - April 27

CLASS TIMES

5:30 - 6:30 PM

Let your child's creativity soar with our youth art classes at the

Arts Council of York County! Taught by the talented Ida Mae Irby, these classes are designed for young artists to explore a variety of techniques and mediums in a fun, supportive environment. Middle & High School-aged students will develop their skills and leave with their own amazing creations.

Classes are on-going, but students are welcome to enroll at anytime. Supplies are provided by the Arts Council.

PRICE

$25 per class

Youth Art Classes at the Center for the Arts are for Middle and High School Students.

LEARN MORE

ACYC Lunch Dates

Center for the Arts

121 E. Main Street. Rock Hill, SC

SELECT MONDAYS

12 - 2 PM

Join the ACYC board, staff, and special guests in the galleries during lunchtime on select days.

Free to attend; please bring your own food and drink.

Dates are subject to change or cancellation. To view all dates, please visit our website.

UPCOMING LUNCH DATES

JANUARY | 12 & 26

FEBRUARY | 2, 16, & 23

MARCH | 2, 9, & 16

HAVE LUNCH WITH US

ARTS NEWS

NATIONAL

Mary Anne Carter Confirmed as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts

by the National Endowment for the Arts

Image credit | National Endowment for the Arts

Washington, DC — The United States Senate voted to confirm Mary Anne Carter as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Carter will lead the agency for a second time, expanding on her leadership with the NEA during...

REGIONAL

'It's just a magical material': N.C. Glass Center offers one-of-a-kind art

by Jordan Grantz

Image credit | Spectrum News - Jordan Grantz

Asheville, N.C. – Firing up her torch, glass artist Deb Rich is making miniature turtles.

“You look at something and you wonder what it could become,” she said.

For 25 years, Rich has created glass art. She now shares her passion with others, teaching classes at the North Carolina Glass Center in Asheville. She says giving people the gift of...

SUPPORT US

Donate to the ACYC

Dry Goods Shop

Volunteering & Internships

QUICK LINKS

ACYC Website

Underexposed Film Festival yc

Arts Calendar

ACYC Events, Creative Partners, and Artist & Affiliate Members

CALLS FOR ARTISTS

February 1 | Call for Artists - In the Making: Contemporary Craft from South Carolina | more info
February 8 | Call for Authors: 2026 Literary Competitions - Poetry & Short Story | more info
February 13 | Call for Artists: 2026 South Carolina Strawberry Festival Poster Contest | more info
March 16 | Call for Artists: 24th Annual South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition | City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department | more info

EXHIBITS, CLASSES, RECEPTIONS, & EVENTS

January 5 - February 7 | Encoded Surface by Thomas Schmidt | Center for the Arts | more info
January 5 - February 7 | My Battery is Low and It's Getting Dark by Megan Bickel | Center for the Arts | more info
January 5 - February 7 | YPA Middle School Showcase, curated by John Rhodes | Center for the Arts | more info
January 10 | Adult Art Class | Fruit Bowl Still Life Collage | Center for the Arts | more info
January 10 | Book Arts Workshop | Luca Studio & Gallery | more info
January 12 | ACYC Lunch Date | Center for the Arts | more info
January 15 | Third Thursdays Art Crawl | Downtown Fort Mill | more info
January 16 - March 18 | Ida Mae Exhibition | Luca Studio & Gallery | more info
January 17 | Adult Art Class | Needle Felting | Center for the Arts | more info
January 19 | Drawing Nite | Friday Arts Project | Gettys Art Center Courtroom | more info
January 24 | Sketching Stories | A Galaxy Far, Far Away | Center for the Arts | more info
January 26 | Youth Art Class | Pencil Drawing Fundamentals | Center for the Arts | more info
February 1 | Downtown Jazz Jam | Slow Play Brewing | more info
February 2 | Youth Art Class | Watercolor Study | Center for the Arts | more info
February 2 | ACYC Lunch Date | Center for the Arts | more info
February 5 | Dalton, Perimeter, & Classroom Gallery Reception | Center for the Arts | more info
February 7 | Adult Art Class | Intro to Floral Impressionism | Center for the Arts | more info
February 9 - 13 | SC Arts Advocacy Week | South Carolina Arts Alliance | more info

For more arts events in York County, visit the online arts calendar

Arts Council of York County

(803) 328-2787

arts@yorkcountyarts.org

yorkcountyarts.org

Connect with us

Headquartered in the Downtown Rock Hill, SC Cultural District.

Support for this project is provided by the SC Arts Commission (which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts), Rock Hill Accommodations Tax Grant Fund and the ACYC Annual Fund. For visitors information including lodging, contact Visit York County at visityorkcounty.com.