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Shannon Smith Hughes
(pictured on the right)
Artist (Oil Painter) and Co-Owner of Anglin Smith Fine Art, Charleston, SC
Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1994
What role do you play in the entrepreneurial ecosystem?
First and foremost, I am an artist working primarily in oils on large canvases filled with
light and color. My inspiration comes from my Lowcountry roots and my travels, and
my work includes landscapes, still lifes, interiors, and figures. I create original work,
occasionally accept commissions, and enjoy plein air painting, where I create smaller
works outdoors on location.
I play several roles within the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the arts. I exhibit and sell
my work primarily through galleries, as well as regional and national competitions. I
have been a Signature Member of Plein Air Painters of the Southeast (PAP-SE) since
2000, and I am also a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society (AIS)
and Oil Painters of America (OPA). These organizations have provided wonderful
opportunities for networking, education, fellowship, and professional growth, as well
as the chance to exhibit and receive recognition for my work.
Education is also an important part of what I do. My twin sister, Jennifer Smith Rogers,
and I teach workshops together, allowing us to give artists more individual attention
while sharing our experience and helping them develop their skills.
I am also a co-owner of our family gallery, Anglin Smith Fine Art, with Jennifer and our
mother, Betty Anglin Smith. Being involved in the business side of the art world has
given me a greater appreciation for the entrepreneurial and administrative skills
required to run a successful gallery. I enjoy building relationships with artists and
collectors and working alongside my family.
Being an artist, teacher, and gallery owner has shown me how interconnected
creativity and entrepreneurship truly are. It has taught me the importance of building
relationships, supporting other artists, continually learning, and contributing to a
strong and vibrant art community.
What are some of your best memories of your time at Clemson?
I loved watching beautiful sunsets over Lake Hartwell from the window of my
freshman dorm in Johnstone A. Another perk of that view was the west end of the
football stadium with the scoreboard. Of course, attending nearly all of the home
games and experiencing that incredible, electric school spirit was a real highlight. I
made wonderful friends through sorority life in Kappa Kappa Gamma. First Friday
parades, Homecoming floats, themed mixers with fraternities, and frequenting Esso
Club were some social highlights. I have fond memories of pulling all-nighters on
projects in Lee Hall with late night pizza orders in a delirium state. It was a real treat to
share a lot of my college experience with my twin sister and best friend, Jennifer. We
were freshmen roommates, sorority sisters, classmates, and we shared clothes, a car,
and a studio space our senior year. I also reminisce over just walking to classes
through Clemson’s beautiful campus of hilly and tree-lined green spaces.
What were the key inflection points in your career after you left Clemson?
After graduating from Clemson, I was honestly scared to death to pursue an art career.
I had broken my leg skiing my junior year and spent a semester in physical therapy,
which sparked an interest in occupational therapy. I took a year of prerequisite
science classes at Trident Tech in Charleston before applying to MUSC, but I wasn’t
accepted into the program. What initially felt like a disappointment turned out to be a
total blessing in disguise!
I decided to return to painting and participated in Charleston’s Piccolo Spoleto
Festival, an outdoor art exhibition. My show sold out, giving me the confidence I
needed to take the leap and pursue art professionally. That was in 1996, and I haven’t
looked back since.
Early on, I supplemented my income by waitressing while working to get my paintings
into galleries. I sought out artists I admired and traveled to study with them in
workshops. It was certainly a risk, but I stayed true to myself and followed my passion.
I was fortunate to grow up watching my mother and her artist friends build successful
careers, which showed me that making a life in art was possible. That example also
inspired my triplet siblings—we are all artists!
Eventually, my siblings and I began exhibiting together and realized we had a unique
family story and marketing advantage. That led my mother, Jennifer, and me to open
Anglin Smith Fine Art. What began as a dream for our family has grown into a
successful gallery representing our work as well as artists we admire. We recently
celebrated our 25th anniversary and commemorated the milestone by publishing a
book.
Two years ago, we opened a second location in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant.
Jennifer and I run that gallery together while also sharing the space as our painting
studio. Looking back, some of the biggest turning points in my career came from
unexpected doors closing—and having the courage to follow where my passion led
instead.
What are your personal and professional dreams?
Personally, I want to travel more with my husband and 12-year-old daughter and
create those memories that last a lifetime. When it comes to gifts, we are more into
giving each other experiences rather than material things.
Professionally, I want my artwork to leave a mark on this world. My paintings are
representational but not realistic or detailed. They are impressionistic, loose and
painterly, full of energy, dramatic light and rich colors. I like to say I paint things how I
wish they looked. Naturally I would like to improve on my painting skills. However,
painting is never fully mastered…it is an ever-changing journey. I hope to always feel
excited and challenged by my work and not feel complacent, also to not have fear and
really push my work towards more self-expression…more abstract perhaps? My goal
is to evoke emotion in the viewer in a way they can personally relate to. If my work can
bring comfort, happiness, or peace to one’s life that is the ultimate reward. As far as
teaching, I would love to see Jennifer and me organize workshops afar and abroad. My
dream for Anglin Smith Fine Art is to continue to prosper and grow as a family gallery,
preserve the importance of art, and enrich the lives of locals and visitors for years to
come.
What would you recommend students do to maximize their remaining time at Clemson?
Make the most of your time as a college student by going to all your classes and truly embracing and enjoying the learning process. If you’re a visual art student, take your drawing classes seriously because they help you learn how to draw before you start painting. Paint from life instead of photographs! Paint what truly excites you; that enthusiasm will generally show in your work. The more you paint, the more likely you are to find your unique voice. Seek out artists you admire and study their work. Build connections with people and resources related to your professional interests, and nurture the ones that matter. Take advantage of extracurricular activities to get involved in campus life. Go to sports, music, and art events. Most of all, be true to yourself and follow your passion. Your career will take up a lot of your time, so make sure it’s something that excites and fulfills you.
What else should we know about you?
One of the most special parts of my life and career is getting to paint alongside my
twin sister, Jennifer. We have not shared a studio space together since our senior year
at Clemson in Lee Hall, so it feels like such a blessing to come full circle and now paint
together every day in our family-owned gallery.
Another bonus is that we get to travel together on painting trips. We have been to Italy,
Mexico, and many places across the US. We are about to head to Maine for a week-
long artists’ painting retreat, which we are really looking forward to. Stepping away
from our busy everyday lives to paint, recharge, and be inspired by our surroundings is such a gift. I truly believe these experiences help refuel an artist’s soul.
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