Art at The Citadel

Honored to join this distinguished list, with my sincere recognition of the thousands of cadets, artists, soldiers, peers, curators, veterans, alumni, and friends who have made the journey thus far both possible and deeply meaningful. Heartfelt thanks to my nominators. As The Citadel's second-ever recipient of the award, I am particularly delighted that the first was none other than Pat Conroy, who cheered on my efforts to create a lasting place for the arts in a military college. Onwards!

Let's give a round of applause to the winners of the 2026 Governor’s Awards for the Arts! 👏

Through their dedication, talent, and love for the arts and their communities, they have profoundly impacted our state’s cultural landscape.

Accessibility winner | Columbia Museum of Art
Artist winner | William “Bill” Harris
Individual winner | Tiffany Reed Silverman
Arts in Education Individual winner | Dr. Richard O’Malley
Arts in Education Organization winner | ArtsNOW
Special Award winner | Ian Welch

Learn more about the winners | 🔗 bit.ly/4bjnxGV
Learn more about the arts awards | 🔗 bit.ly/SCGAFTA

Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for spotlights on each winner.



[Image description: The first slide reads, South Carolina Governor’s Awards for the Arts 2026 winners. The next six slides include each winner’s name and award category as well as a photo of them or their logo. Text at the bottom says, “S.C. Governors Awards for the Arts.” There is also an icon in the shape of the award.]

What an honor to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Leonardo DRS facility in Goose Creek. Working with VP Business Development Jack Fletcher '92 and their marketing division, Fine Arts Director Tiffany Silverman and The Citadel Fine Arts team created an installation of original artwork in their lobby to showcase our ongoing partnership with Leonardo DRS. This project is in clear alignment with our mission to facilitate transformative experiences at the intersection of the arts, the military, and the community.

Drawings, paintings, and photographs of iconic, patriotic, and inspirational subjects are framed within The Citadel’s colors. Cadet artists are Blake Lyon, Michaela Martin, Satchel O’Meara, and Tucker Young, with photographs by Prof. Kevin Free, all under the creative leadership of Prof. Rick Sargent, whose artwork is also featured. This stellar team is representative of the talent and drive we have within our ranks, and we couldn't be prouder of this collaboration to highlight what they can do!

The Spring 2026 semester is off to a strong start! Here's our faculty lineup teaching over 300 cadets in Fine Arts courses for academic credit. Stay tuned for a full calendar ahead!

Prof. Sargent: Drawing, Wildlife Drawing, Painting, Advanced Painting

Prof. Free: Photoshop, Photography, Forensic Photography

Prof. Silverman: Combat Art, Arts Management, NYC Spring Break, oversee Fine Arts Minors

Dr. Albert: Technology in Art

Mr. Giove: Regimental Band & Pipes, Pep Band

Mr. Reese: Chorale

Mr. Bekker: Orchestra

It takes a terrific team to bring a show to life! "From Space to Sea: The Navy's Role in Manned Space Flight" is now on view in the Moore Art Gallery in Capers Hall at The Citadel thanks to this crew.

Behind the scenes, so many talented people were part of this! First came the expert staff at the Naval History and Heritage Command to select and pack the art, with the specialized shipping of U.S. Art to transport it to us safely. I hung the show (so much math and leg day on the ladder!) Graphic design excellence of of gave the show a distinctive look on Navy brand, with crucial editorial and installation support from and photography by . The big vinyl wall of my dreams install by Leland from was the finishing touch. Now the cadets in my Arts Management class are ready to engage, including the video by .

And we have liftoff! Come see it for yourself, Mon-Fri from 10 am-3 pm!

Join the Fine Arts Club for our Kick Off/ Cook Out on Wednesday 3 September from 4-6 pm. It's a relaxed way to meet our current minors and the arts faculty, sign up for upcoming events/field trips, and enjoy the last days of summer.

Prof. Free will be manning the grill on his patio, with food, yard games, line dancing, and music from our house DJ.

Our club leaders will be there to chat about all things creative: .asmine928



RSVP to Prof. Silverman by message here or [email protected].

It's a beautiful day to start a new semester of art classes at The Citadel!

From classic courses like Art Appreciation and Drawing to new favorites like Forensic Photography and Photoshop, your Fine Arts faculty are excited to get started.

Our mission is to facilitate transformative experiences at the intersection of the arts, the military, and the community -- and a key method begins in the classroom.

Look forward to seeing your faces in our classes!

Senior selfies, part 2! More love for the Fine Arts grads, plus a few special extras and our favorite Ukrainian artist. Props to those who wore their custom shirts from Art App under their uniform! Class of 2025, you may be out of sight but you'll always be in my heart!

It's senior selfie time, part 1! This sweet, silly annual tradition of mine gives me a moment to tell each of these terrific Fine Arts students how much their efforts have mattered and to wish them well on their lives beyond the gates! We have 53 graduating Fine Arts minors in such a range of disciplines from Intelligence to Chemistry to Supply Chain who now have a little extra something on their resume to distinguish them as creative problem solvers! Go get it, class of 2025, then come back and tell me all about it!

Showcasing work by graduating Fine Arts minors and spring award winners, the Moore Art Gallery in Capers Hall was filled with proud cadets, veteran students families, and friends during our Friday reception! From drawing and painting to digital media, sculpture, and even a QR code link to a video, our talented Fine Arts students are making their mark!

ARTIST TALK: Aviation Artist Marc Poole
Thursday, March 27
1:30-2:30 pm
Class of 1969 Auditorium, Capers Hall
Free and open to the public

Go behind the easel with a talk by aviation artist Marc Poole, whose painting is included in the exhibit of aviation artwork from the National Museum of the Marine Corps now on view in the Moore Art Gallery in Capers Hall.

Combining his lifelong fascination with history, aviation, and art, Poole began painting aircraft at an early age. He has been a member and recently the president of the American Society of Aviation Artists and is an instructor and gallery director at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. In 2018, he began participating as a civilian artist with the National Museum of the Marine Corps Combat Art Program. In 2023, Poole was awarded the Colonel John W. Thomason Jr. Award by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation in recognition of his distinguished artwork depicting Marine Corps life. Poole is in residency on campus this week, engaging with cadets and faculty in our Fine Arts courses.

What's your favorite painting in the Marine Corps aviation art exhibit now on view in the Capers Hall art gallery?

Fine Arts minor, Art Club VP, and Citadel cheerleader Carmen Ponce chose "Green Smoke" by USMC combat artist Elize McKelvey, who she met when visited The Citadel to draw cadet life behind the lines. McKelvey's artwork from this residency was featured in our inaugural exhibition and book.

Stop by the gallery M-F from 10-3 by the flag atrium to find YOUR favorite among the 30+ paintings dating from WWI to the present day!

Our Third Annual Alumni Art Exhibit was a success! My thanks to the 18 Citadel alumni who shared their drawings, paintings, and photographs in this pop-up show during Homecoming in the Moore Art Gallery. We also have an alumnus whose brother has work in our current "Opening the Gates" exhibition!

Missed out? Submit next year and get your art on view in our gorgeous gallery, too!