SCETV doc ‘Arriving: Leo Twiggs and His Art’ chronicles life, legacy of South Carolina artistic legend

Premiering on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. on ETV-HD, this one-hour program delves into the rich personal history, innovative artistry and profound societal reflections of Twiggs, offering viewers a captivating portrait of a man whose work has left an indelible mark on both the state and the world.

“Arriving: Leo Twiggs and His Art” features in-depth interviews with Twiggs himself, along with insights from his agent, former museum directors and gallery curators. These conversations are woven together with footage of Twiggs’ creative process, his South Carolina hometown, key artworks and archival materials, painting a comprehensive picture of a life dedicated to art and education.

Born in St. Stephen, Twiggs’ journey began with a BA summa cum laude from Claflin University, followed by studies at the Art Institute of Chicago and a MA from New York University, where he studied under renowned painter Hale Woodruff. His academic achievements culminated in a doctorate in art education from the University of Georgia. As a professor of art at South Carolina State University, Twiggs developed the Art Department and the I.P. Stanback Museum. His innovative batik technique and over 70 one-man shows have earned him international recognition, with exhibitions at the Studio Museum, American Crafts Museum and in U.S. Embassies across the globe.

Twiggs has also been widely celebrated for his contributions to art in South Carolina, including being the first visual artist to receive the Verner Award (Governor’s Trophy). His works have been featured in art textbooks, television documentaries, and prestigious exhibitions, including a retrospective organized by the Georgia Museum of Art that toured the Southeast from 2004-2006. Today, Twiggs continues to create in his Orangeburg studio, where he serves as Distinguished Artist in Residence at Claflin University.

The documentary was executive produced by William Richardson, the director of ETV Upstate with a long-standing career in broadcasting and production. Xiao Yu served as producer, director and editor of the documentary. Yu received her MFA in film production from Ohio University School of Film. Prior to joining SCETV, she produced and directed numerous award-winning documentary films, dramatic series and television programs for over two decades. At SCETV, Yu has produced workforce development PSAs and contributed to various SCETV series including Palmetto Scene and Our Town.

“Arriving: Leo Twiggs and His Art” premieres at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, on ETV-HD, with additional airings at 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, on the South Carolina Channel and at 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, ETV-HD. Following the premiere, the program can also be watched on-demand using the free PBS App or on scetv.org.

More information on “Arriving: Leo Twiggs and His Art” can be found on the SCETV website at scetv.org.