Silhouette Artist Clay Rice in Cheraw

The Cheraw Arts Commission will feature silhouette artist Clay Rice in September. Clay will be at the Cheraw Community Center on Thursday, September 1 from 3:00 - 6:00pm. He will be creating his wonderful silhouettes of children and adults.

South Carolina author Pat Conroy described Clay Rice as a "great talent who combines soul and passion". Silhouette artistry and storytelling have been in his family for more than 80 years. His grandfather, Carew Rice, was described by Poet Carl Sandburg as "America's Greatest Silhouettist" and traveled worldwide, sharing his mesmerizing cutouts with delighted customers.

Each profile silhouette takes Clay about 1 minute. It is estimated that in his 32 year career, he has cut over 900,000 silhouettes. Clay's nationwide following has families flocking to have this talented artist create keepsake silhouettes and to have him sign copies of his award-winning children's book, The Lonely Shadow.

His work has been featured in Country Living, the Washington Times, The Atlanta Constitution, Cookie Magazine, and has appeared in the CBS series Army Wives. Clay is the recipient of the Moonbeam Children's Book Award and the IPPY Award for Children's Book of the Year. His landscape scenes and children's illustrations are sought after by collectors worldwide and Clay's work is on permanent display at the South Carolina State Museum.

Appointments are required for the September 1st date. The Cheraw Arts Commission is now scheduling appointments for the silhouette creations. Participants will receive 2 silhouettes of one person featuring a right and left view for $42. Contact the Cheraw Arts Commission at 843.537.8420 x 12 to schedule an appointment and for additional information.