Greenville Center for Creative Arts has chosen its 2024-25 Brandon Fellows and introduced them to the public at its annual showcase Aug. 2.
The 12-month fellowship seeks to develop three emerging artists between the age of 21 and 30 who represent the diversity of Greenville’s visual arts scene.
Brandon Fellows receive:
- Free studio space at GCCA
- A $750 stipend for art supplies
- A $200 Spinx gift card for travel
- Complimentary classes and workshops at GCCA
- Mentorship
- Opportunities for networking, collaboration and participation in other local arts events
- Participation in a GCCA exhibit and artist talk event in August-September 2025
This year’s Brandon Fellows are:
Alexander Rouse, alumnus of Bob Jones University
- Rouse received a graphic design degree from Bob Jones University.
- He received artistic training in high school and university.
- The Greenville native is an illustrator and watercolorist, who focuses on themes such as conflict, intergenerational trauma and identity. Rouse also draws inspiration from nature, history and the complexity of his cultural history as a Southerner, while promoting positive change and addressing the past and current failures of the systems he comes from.
- As a Brandon Fellow, Rouse said he is looking forward to growth. “I’m excited for the opportunity to enhance my craft and push myself beyond what I previously felt capable of. I’m also excited to grow in a personal and professional sense, (and) getting to know more people in my community and my industry feels like an invaluable experience that will allow me to become better as a person and an artist. Finally, I also look forward to growing my relationship to my community and my heritage through engaging in outreach with the GCCA getting to know the other Fellows and people at the Center.”
Joel Houston, alumnus of Converse University
- Houston received a bachelor of arts degree in studio art from Converse University.
- As a child, he taught himself to draw by watching YouTube videos and sketching anime and manga characters such as Goku from “Dragon Ball” and Naruto Uzumaki from “Naruto.”
- The Mauldin resident is a painter who focuses on themes such as Black nationalism and Afro-surrealism. He draws inspiration from other artists and through philosophy, poetry, soccer, and music in the hip-hop, rhythm and blues, soul and funk genres.
- As a Brandon Fellow, Houston said he is looking forward to “being able to start my professional career close to home, establishing myself within the community before trying to expand, (and) meeting and learning from the artists in my area.”
Bella Bishara, alumna of the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
- Bishara graduated from the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities with a focus on visual arts.
- She attended art classes from elementary school through high school. She received college-level training, mentorship and classes at the Governor’s School. She also took classes at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
- Originally from Egypt, the Greenville resident is a mixed-media painter who incorporates crocheted objects with acrylic paint into her work. She also uses various other types of traditional and digital media when crafting her pieces. Bishara’s pieces focus on her personal experiences, how she’s changed and topics like spirituality and mental health.
- As a Brandon Fellow, Bishara said she is looking forward to “getting to develop my work and personal voice as an artist while taking advantage of the many incredible opportunities and resources the Fellowship has to offer. I am also eager to engage with the local art community here in Greenville and foster meaningful conversations about not only my work, but the art world as a whole.”
“GCCA is thrilled to have Bella Bishara, Joel Houston, and Alexander Rouse as our newest Brandon Fellows,” said Ben Tarcson, gallery director with GCCA. “From September 2024 to August 2025, these exceptionally talented artists will introduce their distinct perspectives to our arts community, fostering new dialogues and enriching Greenville’s art scene. I am eager to see the paths Bella, Joel, and Alexander will undertake to further their art careers and the contributions they will make to our community during their fellowship year.”
Since its inception in 2015, GCCA has hosted 30 Brandon Fellows, including the 2024-25 class.
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