Dr. Leo Twiggs adjusts a painting to be displayed at Claflin University’s

Arthur Rose Museum in an exhibit beginning Sept. 27, 2007

By Charlene D. Slaughter

Dr. Leo Twiggs calls his upcoming exhibit at Claflin University, his alma mater, “A Claflin Homecoming.”

A 1956 graduate of the University and an internationally recognized batik artist with numerous accolades, Dr. Twiggs first honed his artistic skills at Claflin under the late Arthur Rose, chairman of the art department. He was later instrumental in the redesign of Claflin University’s Lee Library into the current Arthur Rose Museum, where his works will be exhibited.

Dr. Twiggs’ batiks will be featured at Claflin beginning Sept. 27 through Nov. 19 in an exhibit titled “A Claflin Homecoming: The Art of Leo Twiggs.” The exhibit can be seen from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, during its tenure. This is the first time in 30 years that Dr. Twiggs has had an exhibit in Orangeburg and the first time he has had a solo exhibit at Claflin.

 “We’re excited about the show,” Arthur Rose Museum Director Herman Keith said of the upcoming exhibit. “Dr. Twiggs has been a longtime African American educator, so he knows a lot of people. He taught a lot of people at South Carolina State University. He’s touched a lot of lives and he’s just met and influenced a lot of people. The exhibit will be here right through Homecoming.”

A mainstay in the art community for decades, Dr. Twiggs’ works uses a unique, innovative batik technique that he developed after several years of experimenting with the traditional medium. Batik is an ancient Indonesian technique using wax and dye to color and pattern fabric.

A native of St. Stephen, Dr. Twiggs received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Claflin University and later studied at the Arts Institute of Chicago. He earned a master’s degree from New York University where he studied under famed black painter and muralist Hale Woodruff. He was the first black person to obtain a doctorate in art education at the University of Georgia.

At South Carolina State University, together with then president Dr. Maceo Nance, Dr. Twiggs developed the Stanback Museum and established the university’s first art department.

In recognition of his significant role in the growth and development of the arts in South Carolina and beyond, the South Carolina Arts Alliance recently presented Dr. Twiggs with the Scottie Award at a statewide arts conference earlier this month. The conference, held every 10 years, invites arts agencies in the state to meet and discuss the role of the arts in South Carolina. Dr. Twiggs’ presentation marks only the fourth time the Scottie Award has been presented.

For questions about the exhibit or to arrange a private tour, contact Keith at the Arthur Rose Museum at

803-535-5324.  The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.