I drove to Winston Salem, North Carolina to attend a SECAC Conference with Stella Arbelaéz Tascón. SECAC stands for Southeastern College Art Conference. I was brought in as an illustrative journalist to cover the convention with sketches. Since I was offered a press pass, I felt I had to sketch every session I attended.
The drive to North Carolina was 10 hours, which was divided into two driving sessions. By the time we arrived at the Conference we were both exhausted. Stella’s world traveling mini poodle named Boo Boo came along for the Conference. Since we arrived late, there was no time to get him into a doggie day care. So, Stella brought him into the Conference in her shoulder bag. There is a hole in the shoulder bag which allows just Boo’s head to stick out. Most people never notice him or they think he is a plush stuffed animal.
The invitation said that the Opening Reception would happen in Salem 2, which was a large conference room. Outside that room there was plenty of small bites on tables, and each attendee got two drink tickets. Since I was waiting for the Salem 2 doors to open, I decided to get a plate of food and a white wine. I was feeling a bit tipsy from the single wine since I never drink. When I had finished the veggies, I had picked out for my dinner, I found that the Salem 2 Conference doors had still not opened. I opened one door and peaked inside to find a vast space filled with chairs. I decided to get a sweet slice of pie since I still had time to kill before I started my sketch.
When I finished my pie, I realized that the Salem 2 Conference room doors would never open. This informal gathering in the hallway was the event. I quickly whipped out my artist stool and sat down to sketch. Staff noticed me setting up and they complimented my on bringing along my own chair.
Then I dug into my art bag and pulled out my sketchbook. I had two sketchbooks to document the Conference. The small sketchbook I had used in the hotel room to write down the Conference Center address. I had then placed the sketchbook on my bed and forgot about it. At least I had the large hardbound sketchbook to work with. Then I realized I forgot my pen and pencil travel case. How on earth was I going to do a sketch, I didn’t have my art pencils, pens or watercolor brushes. Digging through my pockets I discovered I had a single yellow Ticonderoga pencil. I also had my watercolor palette but no brushes to apply the paint.
I had to put something on the page, so I started doing a very rough sketch with my pencil. Then I started applying watercolor with my finger and a rag. I wasn’t about to apply many colors I just needed to get something on the page.
While struggling with my sketch, I met Mina Rezghian. Mina is a University of South Carolina MFA candidate, She had three pieces on exhibit in the Annual SECAC Juried Exhibition. Thanks to exchanging Instagram information, I got to see some of her work. I briefly got to learn a little about her childhood in Iran. She mentioned a flood that washed away her collection of plush rabbits. My little sister had a plush rabbit that she held so often that it started to fall apart. She held the rabbit by its long partly detached ear and the rabbits butt dragged on the ground as my sister dragged it around. Mina’s childhood was washed away in a flash. Her father came to America feeling he could find a better life. Mina’s work reflects memories of a life that was tender and sweet and yet she came from a country that our President decided to bomb. On February 28, 2026 a U.S. Tomahawk missile struck an elementary school in Minab Iran, killing at least 156 people including 120 children and 26 teachers. After the brief conversation with Mina, I had a million more questions, but this is just an example of the amazing people that can be met at such an inspiring Conference.
In the Juried exhibition, Mina had two wooden pieces that had weathered photographs and that felt like antique momentous. A tiny photo of her cat walking in Mina’s grandmother’s courtyard was faded and yet evoked tender memories. The wooden panels were cut by Mina and she said the wood panels she had assembled stained and varnished held memories. I was lucky to meet this artist as I struggled with my sketch and at her opening at the juried group art show at Emerson Fine Arts Center at Salem College.
SECAC: Opening Reception
I drove to Winston Salem, North Carolina to attend a SECAC Conference with Stella Arbelaéz Tascón. SECAC stands for Southeastern College Art Conference. I was brought in as an illustrative journalist to cover the convention with sketches. Since I was offered a press pass, I felt I had to sketch every session I attended.
The drive to North Carolina was 10 hours, which was divided into two driving sessions. By the time we arrived at the Conference we were both exhausted. Stella’s world traveling mini poodle named Boo Boo came along for the Conference. Since we arrived late, there was no time to get him into a doggie day care. So, Stella brought him into the Conference in her shoulder bag. There is a hole in the shoulder bag which allows just Boo’s head to stick out. Most people never notice him or they think he is a plush stuffed animal.
The invitation said that the Opening Reception would happen in Salem 2, which was a large conference room. Outside that room there was plenty of small bites on tables, and each attendee got two drink tickets. Since I was waiting for the Salem 2 doors to open, I decided to get a plate of food and a white wine. I was feeling a bit tipsy from the single wine since I never drink. When I had finished the veggies, I had picked out for my dinner, I found that the Salem 2 Conference doors had still not opened. I opened one door and peaked inside to find a vast space filled with chairs. I decided to get a sweet slice of pie since I still had time to kill before I started my sketch.
When I finished my pie, I realized that the Salem 2 Conference room doors would never open. This informal gathering in the hallway was the event. I quickly whipped out my artist stool and sat down to sketch. Staff noticed me setting up and they complimented my on bringing along my own chair.
Then I dug into my art bag and pulled out my sketchbook. I had two sketchbooks to document the Conference. The small sketchbook I had used in the hotel room to write down the Conference Center address. I had then placed the sketchbook on my bed and forgot about it. At least I had the large hardbound sketchbook to work with. Then I realized I forgot my pen and pencil travel case. How on earth was I going to do a sketch, I didn’t have my art pencils, pens or watercolor brushes. Digging through my pockets I discovered I had a single yellow Ticonderoga pencil. I also had my watercolor palette but no brushes to apply the paint.
I had to put something on the page, so I started doing a very rough sketch with my pencil. Then I started applying watercolor with my finger and a rag. I wasn’t about to apply many colors I just needed to get something on the page.
While struggling with my sketch, I met Mina Rezghian. Mina is a University of South Carolina MFA candidate, She had three pieces on exhibit in the Annual SECAC Juried Exhibition. Thanks to exchanging Instagram information, I got to see some of her work. I briefly got to learn a little about her childhood in Iran. She mentioned a flood that washed away her collection of plush rabbits. My little sister had a plush rabbit that she held so often that it started to fall apart. She held the rabbit by its long partly detached ear and the rabbits butt dragged on the ground as my sister dragged it around. Mina’s childhood was washed away in a flash. Her father came to America feeling he could find a better life. Mina’s work reflects memories of a life that was tender and sweet and yet she came from a country that our President decided to bomb. On February 28, 2026 a U.S. Tomahawk missile struck an elementary school in Minab Iran, killing at least 156 people including 120 children and 26 teachers. After the brief conversation with Mina, I had a million more questions, but this is just an example of the amazing people that can be met at such an inspiring Conference.
In the Juried exhibition, Mina had two wooden pieces that had weathered photographs and that felt like antique momentous. A tiny photo of her cat walking in Mina’s grandmother’s courtyard was faded and yet evoked tender memories. The wooden panels were cut by Mina and she said the wood panels she had assembled stained and varnished held memories. I was lucky to meet this artist as I struggled with my sketch and at her opening at the juried group art show at Emerson Fine Arts Center at Salem College.