Have you ever passed a distinctive building for years and wondered who — or what — lives there? On Old Spartanburg Road in Greer, a very colorfully-graffitied house is a year round art camp, buzzing with art students in the program CATS.
What is CATS? Creating Artists for Tomorrow (CATS), is a year-round arts school that is celebrating 25 years in October 2021! The school has been in its current location since 2006. The house is alive with color — literally — from floor to ceiling.
Who are the founders? Sandy Jordan and Kelly McSharry met during their graduate school years at Furman University. They are both elementary school art educators who have worked in private and public schools.
The house was built in 1932 by the Hudson Dairy family. Across the street is the Silverleaf neighborhoood, also a former dairy farm. Now, this home is a lively and bustling art program that welcomes all ages for camps.
Who attends? Anyone from as early as 8 months old (toddlers sit in their parents’ laps) to teenagers. Homeschool classes are also available.
What is unique? This year, the program celebrates South Carolina artists. In this summer’s camp, kids are creating layered, colorful abstract paintings (inspired by Oye Studio artist Jeffrey Leder) which required painting, (hair) drying, sanding and repainting anywhere from 10 to 20 layers … did I mention some of these artists are as young as 6 years old?
Scraps become art. In another room, thousands of used Nespresso coffee pods are being flattened with a rubber mallet. The kids are carving out the coffee grounds and then separating the used coffee pods by color. Ultimately, these coffee pods will become a mosaic. Coffee grounds are poured into a big bin. Their current location has been ideal. McSharry laughs and says their former location, a school, was difficult because it “became too hard to clean up afterward.”
Donuts out of clay and gummy bears from sand art are two more projects the kids are creating. McSharry has several instructors who are former students who now work at the camp. After lunch, McSharry reviews the paintings and asks all the kids to critique the work. An important part of the process is being able to address feedback. Kids learn to verbalize why they chose what they did.
Another unique part is the kids are using real tools. McSharry stresses the importance of high-quality materials. The students are using utility knives to create a stencil for one project inspired by Greenville artist Glory Day Loflin. The background for the painting is created last.
The camp stresses the process of creativity — from the prep work to clean-up. Immediately, you notice there is not one screen (i.e. phone or device) in the rooms dominating anyone’s attention. The instructors have noticed the kids change over the years. For instance, video games have inspired some unique classes — anime and Minecraft have been influencers.
How does such a clever oasis exist for so many years? There are scholarships available and McSharry is passionate about welcoming children with special needs. She is unfazed by any disruption including dripping paint, constant chatter, children using utility knives and heavy mallets, hair dryers blowing on high volume or a new puppy brought by one of her teachers. McSharry praises the kids and laughs easily, recognizing that her job “is a business, but it’s really a ministry.”
Amy Ryberg Doyle served for 12 years on Greenville City Council. She is married and has four children. An outdoors enthusiast, she likes to bike, swim and run, but not all in that order. She power-naps daily.
