Two SC State art students’ works featured this week at Charleston gallery

Joshua Richardson’s paintings and Nicholas Walters’ photography will appear through Thursday, April 1, in the Kennard Kennedy HBCU Showcase at the Gibbes Museum of Art Ruth and Bill Baker Gallery. 

ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- Works by two students in the Studio Art Program at South Carolina State University have been selected for the Kennard Kennedy HBCU Showcase at the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston. 

Joshua Richardson’s paintings and Nicholas Walters’ photography are on display at the museum’s Ruth and Bill Baker Gallery through Thursday, April 1. The museum is located at 135 Meeting St., Charleston. 

Richardson, a Charleston native, is a freshman majoring in studio art with a concentration in painting and drawing. 

“My artistic practice is rooted in exploring identity, culture, and contemporary expression through visual storytelling,” Richardson said. “As I continue to develop my work, my goal is to grow into a creative director, combining artistic vision with strategic design to impact many aspects of the art world.” 

His experience includes several years of dedicated art study, beginning at Rollings Middle School of the Arts, continuing with AP Art training in high school, and now at the college level. 

“These experiences have shaped both my technical skills and my conceptual approach to art,” he said.

Walters is a senior majoring in studio arts with a concentration in photography and printmaking. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Walters attended Orange High School and previously played NCAA Division II basketball at Notre Dame College on a scholarship. After considering playing basketball at SC State, he chose to pursue his passion for art.  

Walters has interned with several organizations, including the Rainey Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, and iONE Digital + HBCU Endzone Inc. Super Bowl program (Super Bowl LIX). He has also worked with Empower Through Play, a nonprofit providing athletic shoes and equipment to children in need.

Walters aspires to become a professional photographer, with a focus on photojournalism and opportunities in art museums, magazines, and other creative industries. He plans to own a photography studio specializing in photo and video production, including professional sports, documentary filmmaking, short films, and album covers.

Walters is also passionate about documenting the lives of other artists, as well as his own. This summer, he plans to work at the Gibbes Museum to continue developing as a working artist.

“I created a series titled ‘Cycle,’ which explores the routines and everyday experiences within the home,” Walters said. “The photograph selected for the Gibbes represents one aspect of life as an African American male, portraying his daily life as a cycle through a quiet, intimate moment of rest. In the image, the subject lies sideways on a bed, wearing a gold necklace, with a book titled ‘How to Find Your Style’ resting on his face. 

“This moment captures a pause after a long day of responsibilities — caring for children, paying bills, cooking, cleaning, and watching television,” Walters said. “The photograph reflects the repetition of these daily demands, emphasizing both the weight of responsibility and the need for rest within that ongoing cycle.”

The Kennard Kennedy HBCU Showcase, established in 2023, provides HBCU students in the region with the opportunity to exhibit their artwork in a professional museum setting. This year’s exhibition is inspired by the legacy of prolific American artist Leo Twiggs, whose work is currently on view on the museum’s third floor. In addition to his decades-long career as an artist, Twiggs founded SC State’s Fine Arts Department. This exhibition celebrates his impact as an educator and highlights the ongoing artistic innovation at historically Black colleges and universities.

The Gibbes Museum of Art’s education and outreach programs aim to expand the museum experience, foster personal connections between visitors and art, generate critical conversations about Southern art and culture, and cultivate a diverse museum audience.

This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the Kennard Kennedy Family Fund, which is dedicated to increasing access to art and promoting community outreach.