Aaron Baumgardner (Catawba) is an artist, potter, and basket maker. His journey into traditional art forms began in early 2022 when he started attending pottery classes at the Catawba Cultural Center, learning techniques from esteemed potters within the community. Inspired by the legacy of his great-great-grandmother, Sallie Rebecca Brown Beck, her mother, Rachel Wysie George Brown, and countless Catawba women who have shaped and passed down their knowledge for thousands of years, Aaron strives to continue the ancient, unbroken tradition of Catawba pottery—a practice central to the survival of Catawba culture and community.

Aaron’s exploration of basketry focuses on white oak and rivercane. He is captivated by the geometry and storytelling inherent in these mediums. Aaron learned rivercane basketry from Cherokee artist Gabe Crow, and rivercane mat-making from Cherokee artists Waylon and Michelle Long. He became the first Catawba to create a rivercane basket in over 100 years.

Through his art, Aaron aims to inspire a new generation of Catawba artists, ensuring the revival and reverence of Catawba basketry alongside its celebrated pottery tradition. His dedication to cultural preservation is evident in his work as both an artist and community leader, as he organizes workshops and teaches classes to pass on these vital traditions.

Aaron currently resides in Rock Hill, South Carolina with his husband Oscar and their two cats: Miles and Gwen.

Winston Eugene, born June 10, 1945, in Monty, Louisiana, is a self-taught potter and artist who began exploring art in high school. Rosa Mae Dawkins, born November 2, 1949, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a registered nurse with a B.S.N. from the University of South Carolina - Spartanburg. The couple met through Rosa’s brother and married on October 3, 1968, while Winton was serving in the 82nd Airborne Division.

Their artistic inspiration comes from everyday life and reflections on the past, present, and future. Winton began learning pottery through books Rosa gave him, and together they now run a studio and gallery in Cowpens, South Carolina. Rosa has studied with Winton for over a decade and enjoys working in coil-built ceramics, while Winton contributes intricate relief, mosaic, and etching. Their collaborative stoneware blends functionality with artistry, focusing on a symbiotic relationship between shape and design. They are proud parents of two children, Adrian and Fredriana.

Paul Matheny received his Master of Arts in Arts Administration (2011) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (1996) degrees from Winthrop University. In 1997 he accepted the position of Assistant Curator of Art at the Museum of York County until 2001, when he accepted the position of Curator of Art at the South Carolina State Museum. He served as the Chief Curator of Art for the S.C. State Museum from 2002-2014, Chief Curator of Collections from 2014-2015 and currently serves as the Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Museum. During his time at the S.C. State Museum, he has curated more than 30 major exhibitions focusing on the work artists and craftspeople from South Carolina.

Clay Rice is an award-winning silhouette artist and children’s book author, praised by Pat Conroy as a “great talent who combines soul and passion.” He represents the second generation of a family legacy—his grandfather, Carew Rice, was called “America’s Greatest Silhouettist” by Carl Sandburg.

Since beginning his professional career in 1982, Clay has hand-cut over one million profile silhouettes, each taking about one minute. His unique blend of storytelling and artistry has earned him national acclaim, with features in Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Country Living, and the CBS series Army Wives.

Clay’s award-winning books, including The Lonely Shadow, and his intricate landscape cutouts have captivated audiences of all ages. His work is on permanent display at the South Carolina State Museum and sought after by collectors worldwide.

What began as a summer job turned into a lifelong passion. Now, Clay travels to over 200 events each year across 35 states, creating keepsake silhouettes and sharing his family’s timeless art form.

Believing that “everything has a silhouette,” Clay continues to expand the boundaries of his craft—honoring his grandfather’s legacy while carving out his own path as America’s top silhouette artist.

Ivan Segura works as the Director of Multicultural Affairs at the SC Commission for Minority Affairs. He has over twenty years of experience in community activism, arts advocacy and grassroots leadership development for Latinos in SC. His volunteer advocacy work includes serving as the Executive Director of Palmetto Luna Arts, an organization dedicated to making a positive impact in society by fostering Latino arts and culture in SC. He served eight years in the ACLU’s National Board of Directors and twelve years in the ACLU of SC’s Board.

Mr. Segura is the sole recipient in South Carolina of the prestigious Ohtli Award. This is the highest recognition awarded by the Mexican Government to members of the community who have contributed in an exceptional manner to the development of the Mexican community living abroad. Mr. Segura’s advocacy, arts and leadership activities place emphasis on the development of Latino youth and children as the future leaders of our community and nation.

Joshua Shumak is a citizen of the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians and a nationally recognized advocate for Indigenous rights, community development, and the arts. His work spans public health, food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and education. He has been honored with the Order of the Palmetto, the NASS John Lewis Youth Leadership Award, and several national and state-level recognitions for his leadership and service. As a TEDx speaker and strong advocate for Indigenous artists and storytellers, Joshua continues to advance Native voices and visibility through policy, partnerships, and creative expression. 

Zinnia Willits is the Executive Director of the Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC). Prior to this role, which she assumed in May 2020, she served as the Director of Collections and Operations at the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina where she managed the museum's permanent collection and operations as well as logistics for its active exhibition and loan programs for seventeen years. Zinnia was the President of the Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) when she assumed the role of Executive Director and had been a member of SEMC Council of Directors since 2015. She served as Program Committee Chair for SEMC 2017 and also chaired the Scholarship and Evaluation Committees. Zinnia completed two terms on the American Alliance of Museums National Program Committee (2018-2019), is a current Accreditation Reviewer as well as a Peer Reviewer for the Museum Assessment Program in the area of Collections Stewardship. She has presented sessions on registration and collections management at state, regional and national conferences and has expertise in the areas of collections management, storage planning, career management, grant writing, museum operations and conference planning and administration. Zinnia’s contributions to publications include “Museums in Motion Today: To Collect" and “Government Grants". Zinnia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a concentration in archaeology from the University of Illinois and received her Master of Arts in Public History from the University of South Carolina. Zinnia lives and works in Charleston, South Carolina.