Here are some local artists to watch in Aiken this year, based on recent developments and programs supporting emerging talent:
- Shawn Haynes
A Columbia-based painter whose work is featured in the Etherredge Center gallery as part of the Carolina Series. She is known for vivid, impressionistic, and abstract interpretations reflecting the diverse landscapes and cultures of South Carolina. Haynes is recognized for her vibrant use of color and visual storytelling rooted in personal and regional identity.​ - Artists in the South Carolina State Parks Artist-in-Residence Program
Selected artists like Paul Atkinson (landscape photographer), Suzanne Dillman, Michael Gambrell (photographer), and Ailyn Hoey (charcoal artist) have contributed original works inspired by natural and cultural resources. While some are based outside Aiken, their influence and artistic residencies in South Carolina provide new perspectives and inspiration within the local art community.​ - Emerging Artists Supported by the South Carolina Arts Commission
The SC Arts Commission runs programs for emerging artists who are early in their careers but show promise through risk-taking and dynamic work. Local Aiken artists are supported via grants, mentorship, and exhibitions, helping to build sustainable careers. These emerging talents vary across media and styles, contributing fresh voices to the Aiken arts scene.​ - Aiken Center for the Arts Artists
The Aiken Center for the Arts hosts 26 yearly exhibitions featuring diverse local talents. It is a creative hub where emerging and established artists showcase their work in visual and performing arts, fostering community connections and artistic growth. The center actively promotes artists reflecting the cultural heartbeat of Aiken and nearby communities.​
This year in Aiken, a mix of established rising stars and newly supported emerging artists across painting, photography, charcoal art, and more, are making notable contributions to the cultural fabric. These opportunities and showcases make Aiken a vibrant place for art lovers to explore and support local creativity.
If you want a list of specific upcoming exhibitions or events featuring these artists in Aiken, that can be provided as well.
SOURCES
[1](https://southcarolinaparks.com/stories/meet-the-artists-2025-artist-in-residence)
[2](https://aikencenterforthearts.org)
[3](https://www.usca.edu/news/2025/the-art-and-artistry-of-shawn-haynes.html)
[4](https://www.southcarolinaarts.com/direct-programs/2025-spotlight-tour/)
[5](https://www.instagram.com/p/DHGcMR3Ayzx/?hl=en)
