The new art exhibit, Beyond the Surface, is bringing attention to South Carolina’s water resource challenges through a creative blend of science and visual art. The collaborative project is the result of partnerships between the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, Clemson Extension, South Carolina Water Resources Center, and Tiger Strikes Asteroid Greenville art gallery.
The exhibit, selected as the 2025 Special Project for the Water Chats program, features artwork from 25 artists addressing topics covering water quality, contaminants of emerging concern, and water resilience. It is on display every Saturday through March 22 at Tiger Strikes Asteroid Greenville, with free admission.
Artist Morgan Serreno East with her Best in Show winning piece, “Inhale”. Photo credit: Noah Stillman/S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.
The concept for the exhibit was developed by Masha Bokar, a Clemson University senior studying environmental and natural resources with minors in art and sustainability. Bokar’s idea to merge art and science stemmed from her passion for both fields and her goal of engaging broader audiences in conversations about South Carolina’s water challenges. Through her internship with Clemson Extension, she connected with partners to bring the project to life.
The exhibit showcases diverse pieces, including paintings, sculptures, and installations made from reclaimed materials. The February 15th opening included highlights such as “Inhale” by Morgan Serreno East, which won Best in Show, and “MASS 4” by Kim Thomas, a net crocheted from plastic bags that highlights the environmental impact of single-use plastics. Other works explore microplastics, water pollution, and the cycle of ecosystems.
Kim Thomas’ “MASS 4” art piece representing single-use plastic pollution. Photo credit: Noah Stillman/S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.
The full list of award winners:
- Best in show: Morgan Serreno East, “Inhale”
- Best in Water Quality: Syd Greene, “Fish On”
- Best in Contaminants of Emerging Concern: Heather Bird Harris, “Power of Hydrogen: Georgia’s Rivers”
- Best in Water Resilience, Planning, & Preparedness: Sally Ann McKinsey & Drew Sisk, “Flood Loop”
- Student Best in Show: Madison Hill, “Sodium Hypochlorite 01”
For more information on the artists and their work, visit Beyond the Surface – S.C. Sea Grant Consortium