mayfair art studios

Jay the Artist (Jay Smith) is an American multimedia artist residing in Spartanburg South Carolina. He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. This is where his talent and love for art were developed and cultivated. Jay Smith, known professionally as Jay the Artist, is an American multimedia artist currently based in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Raised in Greenville, Jay developed a profound passion for the arts from an early age, cultivating a talent that has since become the cornerstone of his creative career. His work has been featured prominently within the Greenville arts community, establishing him as a dedicated and emerging voice in the regional art scene. Artistic Style & Inspiration Specializing in imaginative character creation, Jay combines chill, evocative figures with subtle, abstract patterns. His technique is characterized by a sophisticated use of color, allowing him to produce eye-catching pieces that maintain a sense of understated elegance. Each original painting serves as a testament to his creative spirit and his commitment to the craft. Jay’s work is a vibrant melting pot of influences, drawing inspiration from cartoons, anime, graffiti, and contemporary fashion. His perspective is further shaped by the diverse individuals he has encountered throughout his life, infusing his art with a unique worldview. Currently, Jay is dedicated to expanding his artistic universe, inviting viewers into a world of wonder and mischief, one piece at a time.

Contact Information

Email: jaytheartist95@gmail.com
Instagram: @Jay_theartist
Facebook: Jay Smith

Katy Skye and Jane Bird are the co-creators of Selah Sanctuary, named for the ancient Hebrew invitation to pause, breathe, and reflect. Katy is a certified women’s health coach, yoga facilitator, and breathwork practitioner focused on neurodivergent-affirming women’s health, with a BFA in Photography and Printmaking from Converse College and a local reputation for playful yarn-bombing installations. Jane brings 39 years of experience as a career graphic designer and illustrator alongside her work as a yoga facilitator. Together, they offer coaching, movement, and breathwork sessions along with creative workshops - including dream and vision boarding and the return of Full Moon Flow, a practice of yoga moon salutations, guided rest, and self-massage with therapy balls. Selah Sanctuary is a space to slow down, tune in, and make room for rest, creativity, and reconnection with yourself.

The number one reason I started 1974 was to fill a need for higher quality self-care products and to offer natural alternatives. Due to those needs we began to offer Vegan, Gluten Free & Nut Free options, as well as custom blends for those that need a more personalized product. Custom blends (scent and/or health related) are available. I will be happy to speak with you to create a custom blend tailored to your specific needs. 1974 has been making a wide selection of handcrafted artisanal, small batch personal care and homeopathic products since 2018 and since then we have been a proud member of the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild. All of our products are created, made, bottled and labeled right here in the Upstate. We believe in connecting with our clients and our community and we thank you for supporting our local business.

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Nancy has cultivated her love for painting throughout her life. Using color and figurative abstraction, her layered compositions are responses to current events and historical ties. Her work gives visual voice to social justice and human rights. Nancy’s work has been featured in galleries and public spaces for five decades.

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At USC Upstate, Dr. Hightower teaches Fundamentals of 2D Design, Introduction of Crafts, Southern Folk Art History, Art Education Methods, and School Art Program. Besides her teaching responsibilities, she runs the FOCUS Gallery and coordinates the Visual Arts Program. Hightower’s artwork is in the watercolor media, incorporating textural materials, to create what she calls “watercolor patchwork,” the process she uses to unite watercolor media with the art of quilting.

Jade Hillary is an artist based in Upstate South Carolina. She spent the last decade dedicating her time to a career in the music industry, specifically music merchandising. Her pivot to becoming a full time Artist began in 2025. She operates both her artistic endeavors out of her studio at Mayfair, Fyne Ceramics and Daise Art. Fyne Ceramics is her pottery business, while Daise Art primarily focuses on graphic design, illustration, skate deck art, and murals. Both are inspired by current events, mental health, street art, flora, traditional and Japanese flash art.

Jocelyn Jones is a photographer and the owner of Ladibugg Photography. Ladibugg Photography serves the Upstate and surrounding areas specializing in portraits and event photography. Jocelyn is a 2017 alumni of Startme:Spartanburg, an intensive 14-week business training program for entrepreneurs. Born and raised in the upstate, Jocelyn is married and resides in Reidville. She loves to have fun, enjoy life and capture that as well. As a photographer she committed to #CapturingDreamsAndFramingMemories.

I am the owner and creator of Aunt Norah’s House. I was born in Queens, New York and raised in Pennsylvania. I made Spartanburg my home in 2004. I am a versatile, creative photographer who is committed to capturing extraordinary visual imagery. I specialize in headshots, portraits, and brand products. However, I am skilled in capturing special moments like engagements, weddings and family/business events. My passion for photography has resulted in my work being published and showcased. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Education. I have a heightened, professional awareness of what it means to collaborate with the public and provide exceptional customer service. In my free-time, I enjoy travel, hiking and fellowshipping with family and friends. I look forward to continuing to turn conceptual ideas into beautiful works of art.

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Kristofer M. Neely, a visual artist and creative writer, serves as Professor of Art and Director of Interdisciplinary Studies at Spartanburg Methodist College. Neely has grown the SMC Studio Art program to offer a full foundation of art program that is highly transferable to 4-year programs in art education, graphic design, and studio art. His goal is to increase the accessibility of quality studio art coursework for students who are from this region. Neely is also the owner and creative director of Wet Paint Syndrome.

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Smitha Lee has worked in the film industry and media for 12 years. He has written 7 plays that have sold out on each occasion. His last original production Chocolate Cinderella which played at the Chapman Cultural Center in 2019 sold out every single show with 1000 in attendance. On the film aspect his films have been accepted to 25 different film festivals. In 2019 he won his first major category (Music Video of the Year) from the Carolina Film Festival. Between his marketing videos and production videos Smitha lee has received well over 3.8 million views between Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. Smitha Lee filmmaker lives in USA (SC). He started out as a dancer and actor for various productions in SC. His love of storytelling brought him into film and photography.

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Michelle Pierce is a painter and stained glass artist whose work explores themes of encounter and redemption. She specializes in liturgical art, drawing inspiration from the dark renaissance paintings of Caravaggio, modern handmade glasswork, and the natural world. She works in oil and cold wax, stained glass, and digital media. Her work has been shown in downtown Spartanburg and is held in private collections. Her pieces include both original creations and accurate oil reproductions of masterpieces, including a 9’x12’ Caravaggio replica, the focal hanging in St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Spartanburg. She is currently leading a group at St. Matthew’s to find their own gifts in the design and fabrication of stained glass windows for one of their worship spaces.

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Amanda Stroup is a painter, photographer, and writer with an Associate of Arts and a certificate in Graphic Design from SCC. She uses diverse art mediums to tell stories through different creative lenses. Her works emphasize everyday life in a bold and whimsical manner.

Jennings Whitt is a queer visual artist from Waxhaw, North Carolina. Graduating from Converse in 2024, she earned her bachelors of fine art in studio art. Her art explores mixed media including collage, painting, drawing and more. Working mostly on wood panel, she draws inspiration from vintage paraphernalia including magazines, sewing patterns, lace, fabric, clothing and more. Drawing heavily on nostalgia, she preserves memories and moments in time from aged pages, patterns and prints. Much of her work centers around the relationship of femininity and queerness and how they  intertwine. Her artwork illustrates the push and pull between the two and the balance they find.

Emily Yarborough is known for her live event paintings and pet portraits.

Contact Emily on Instagram at @emilygracepaints for commission info!