Sarah was born in rural western Pennsylvania, she received her B.F.A., summa cum laude from Stephen F. Austin State University of Texas in 1989.

Her still lifes and portraits are included in private collections. Her work has appeared in several juried exhibitions. She currently lives and works in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She finds fascination in faces, objects and visions.

Curriculum Vitae

Sarah Kennedy Irwin

Born: Grove City, Pennsylvania, 1967

Currently lives and works in Rock Hill, South Carolina (since 2013).

Creative Director for Friday Arts Project—Art non-profit, Rock Hill, South Carolina, 2013-present.

EDUCATION

1992 Illustration Diploma, Portfolio Center, Atlanta, GA

1989 BFA (summa cum laude), Stephen F. Austin State University, TX

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

2016 – 2024 Creative Director, Art Party, Art Festival; Old Town Rock Hill, SC

2015 Curator, dessins d’amis a Amélie’s Exhibit; Amélie’s in Old Town Rock Hill, SC

2014 Creative Director, Dazzle Gradually Forum; Gettys Art Center, The Cotton Factory, Old Town Rock Hill, SC; speakers included Maurice Manning, Tommy Tomlinson, Dori Sanders, Paul Matheny, Aaron Belz, performances by Sandra McCraken-singer/songwriter, Hunter Holmes-musician/cotton-mill music specialist, John Prichard-performance artist & sculptor. Organized by Friday Arts Project

2013 Event Design Collaboration & Graphic Design, A Place at the Table; Gettys Art Center, Center for the Arts, Old Town Rock Hill, SC; speakers included Peter Reinhart, Tom Hanchett, Molly O’Neill, Kirk Irwin.

2012 Event Design Collaboration & Graphic Design, Beneath the Surface | Forum on Beauty; Space 157, Gettys Center, Erin’s Restaurant, Old Town Rock Hill, SC; speakers & performers included Joseph Henderson, Luke Allsbrook, Kirk Irwin, Jeremy Casella, Elonzo, Casey Mink

2012 Curator, The 5 Senses Exhibit, Creative Director; Here’s Life Inner City, Long Island City, NY

2011 Curator (with Kristie Koll Means), Take Root Exhibit; Here’s Life Inner City, Long Island City, NY

FORTHCOMING EXHIBIT

4/2025 Juried Group Show – ArtFields SC 2025; Lake City, SC*

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITS

11/2024 Group Show – Sprengeri Gallery, Rock Hill, SC

10/2024 Group Show – Friends of Friday Arts Project Exhibit; Courtroom Gallery, Rock Hill, SC

11/2023 Group Show – Sprengeri Gallery, Rock Hill, SC

10/2023 Group Show – Piranese Imagined, Friends of Friday Arts Project Exhibit; Courtroom Gallery, Rock Hill, SC

7/2022 Group Show – Assorted Delights Exhibit – ACYC Perimeter Gallery

11/2022 Group Show – ACYC Studio Artists Showcase, Dalton Gallery, The Arts Council, Rock Hill, SC

10/2022 Group Show – Paperworks Exhibit, Friends of Friday Arts Project Exhibit; Courtroom Gallery, Rock Hill, SC

11/2022 Group Show – Sprengeri Gallery, Rock Hill, SC

4/2022 Juried Group Show – ArtFields SC 2022; Lake City, SC*

11/2021 Group Show – A Christmas Carol, Friends of Friday Arts Project Exhibit; Courtroom Gallery, Rock Hill, SC

11/2021 Group Show – ACYC Studio Artists Showcase, Dalton Gallery, The Arts Council, Rock Hill, SC

3/2021 Group Show – ACYC Member’s Show, Dalton Gallery, The Arts Council, Rock Hill, SC

11/2020 Group Show – ACYC Studio Artists Showcase, Dalton Gallery, The Arts Council, Rock Hill, SC

4/2020 Juried Group Show – ArtFields SC 2020; Lake City, SC (cancelled-Covid)

11/2019 Group Show – Friends of Friday Arts Project Exhibit; Courtroom Gallery, Rock Hill, SC

11/2018 Group Show – Friends of Friday Arts Project Exhibit; Courtroom Gallery, Rock Hill, SC

8/2018 Juried Group Show – Chairs And The People In Them Exhibit; Courtroom Gallery, Rock Hill, SC

4/2018 Juried Group Show – ArtFields SC 2018; Lake City, SC*

11/2017 Group Show – Art Party 2017; Art Space Gallery at Overhead Station, Rock Hill, SC

9/2017 Art on Loan – Curated by Arts Council of York County; Senator Wes Climer’s Office, Columbia, SC

8/2017 Juried Group Show – The Bicycle: Art meets Form Exhibition; TAG, High Point, NC

7/2017 Juried Group Show –  Footmachine Exhibit; Courtroom Gallery, Rock Hill, SC

4/2017 Group Show – Women of Color; Clinton College, Rock Hill, SC

11/2016 Group Show – Art Party 2016; Overhead Station, Rock Hill, SC

2015 Group Show – dessins d’amis a Amélie’s; Amélie’s in Old Town Rock Hill, SC; drawings & paintings

2012 Group Show – The 5 Senses Exhibition; Long Island City, NY; painting

2011 Group Show – Take Root Exhibit; Long Island City, NY; paintings

2010 Group Show – 2 x 2 Exhibit; New York, NY; paintings

2009 Group Show – Emerging Artists • Spiritual Dialogue Exhibit; New York, NY; paintings

2004 Group Show – 2004 Mini Contempo Exhibit; 1st Thursdays, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando, FL; painting

* denotes catalog

PRIVATE COMMISSIONS

Jim & Poco Olson | Charles in a Puddle| oil painting

Jim & Poco Olson | portrait | oil painting

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McComb | rendering of their home | pen & ink drawing

Mr. Jeff Jordan | portrait of his grandmother—Mrs. Jordan | oil painting

PUBLIC COMMISSIONS

Hands-n-Hearts Learning Center, Brooklyn, NY | Mural, Acrylic on panel

Here’s Life Inner City, Long Island City, NY | Mural, Acrylic

Make-A-Wish, Oregon Chapter | Illustrations, Oil on canvas

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

2/2015, ARTIST PROFILE, YC Magazine, York County, South Carolina, Bill Henson, Writer

6/2004, Featured, Orlando Sentinel, Life & Times Section

AWARDS

6/2005 GD USA | American InHouse Design Awards, role: designer, illustrator

1996 Rosey Show | Award of Excellence illustration

1992 J Walter Thompson | Art Scholarship, Portfolio Center

1991–1992 4 gold awards, 5 silver awards, Portfolio Center

1988-1989 Zelma Childers | Outstanding School of Fine Arts Graduate Award

1988 Gray | Art Scholarship

Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges