"Joyous Creatures" by Marius Valdes - Opening Reception

The Koger Center for the Arts is proud to exhibit Marius Valdes’ new body of work, “Joyous Creatures,” in our Upstairs Gallery. There will be an opening reception on December 6, 2023, from 5 – 7:30 p.m. that is free to the public. All artwork purchases can be made through the exhibit’s website, https://www.joyouscreatures.com/.

Artist Statement: 

Joyous Creatures aims to make you smile or laugh if only for a moment. I celebrate characters and creatures from the imagination whether they are dogs, frogs, blobs, or aliens. Character-based art has the capacity to create memorable and engaging visual language that speaks to people of all ages and nationalities. I use my characters to educate, inform, and entertain.

Artist Bio: 

Marius Valdes is an artist currently based in Columbia, South Carolina. Valdes has been recognized by design publications such as Graphic Design USA, HOW, Print, Communication Arts, Creative Boom, Creative Quarterly, Step, and industry competitions including American Illustration, and The World Illustration Awards. In 2022, the UK’s Creative Boom Website named Valdes as one of its “20 Most Exciting Illustrators” to follow.

Marius Valdes is a Professor at the University of South Carolina. He teaches graphic design and illustration in the GD+I program in the School of Visual Art and Design. He lives in Forest Acres with his wife, Beth and their daughter, Emma. Mary, the dog, is always around for a good laugh.

You can see more of Valdes’ commercial work on his website at www.valdesart.com. To purchase art from this exhibition, visit www.joyouscreatures.com.