Sage “Haypeep” Perrott will share her expertise in screen printing with Coastal Carolina University students and the public during an upcoming artist visit. Perrott will hold screen printing workshops for students Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 6-7, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts printmaking studio (EHFA 139), and an artist lecture on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in the Rebecca Randall Bryan Gallery. The events, which are free and open to the public, are sponsored by Claw & Feather Press, a CCU-based printing press housed in the Department of Visual Arts.

During the workshops, Perrott will work with CCU students in creating screen prints, which will feature a version of Perrott’s iconic, fantastical creatures that resemble cats. After her visit, editions of the prints will be available for sale. Proceeds will support the operation of Claw & Feather Press, which annually brings visiting artists to campus for interactive workshops and lectures, offers students research opportunities, and supports scholarships. The public is welcome to drop in and observe the workshops.

A similar body of Perrott’s work, titled “Small Time Nobody,” will be on public exhibit in the CCU Cube Galleries, located throughout campus, from Nov. 9 through Dec. 7.

Perrott is a printmaker, educator, and assistant professor of printmaking at East Tennessee State University. She holds an M.F.A. in printmaking from Ohio University. Perrott looks forward to sharing her technique and insights with CCU students during her campus visit.

“The opportunity to be a visiting artist is an unusual experience where you get to interact with students outside the harsh framework of class,” said Perrott. “It allows for a little more fluidity, more working hours, and a common goal, so it’s a lot of good things.”

Perrott also plans to offer students guidance about the field.

“The main thing I always tell my students is that making art is really hard work,” said Perrott. “It’s a serious endeavor. You can have fun while you do it, but it requires a lot of effort, and it won’t come easily. I hope they get joy out of my visit, but I know that when I bring in visiting artists for my own students, I want them to see how other people in the field operate. My process, how I make money – any of that stuff is fair game. I’m happy to be transparent with them about those things because I think it’s important as a young person to understand the logistics of what it takes to be an artist.”

Meghan O’Connor, assistant professor in CCU’s Department of Visual Arts and founder of Claw & Feather Press, believes strongly in the benefits of visiting artist programs.

“Visiting artists create high-impact learning experiences,” said O’Connor. “I remember working with visiting artists as a highlight of my studies in college. It’s a completely different relationship when you’re working with someone in an apprentice-style manner.”

For more information on Perrot, visit haypeep.com.