Greenville couple's artwork captures essence of Artisphere, and made official fest poster

A.J. Jackson, Greenville News
·3 min read

A sea of faces displaying people of all backgrounds and wearing sunglasses has "captured a visual representation of the essence of Greenville" and this year's Artisphere running through May 12-14 downtown.

The oil painting called "All in Awe" was created by the husband-and-wife duo of Genna and Signe Grushovenko of Greenville. The original painting of "All in Awe" belongs to a 15-year-old collection that previously sold for around $12,000.

But those credentials didn't sway the Artisphere Visual Arts Committee's decision to select "All in Awe" as the official poster artwork. It was chosen because it serves as a visual representation of the essence of Greenville and this weekend's festival, according to Kerry Murphy, director of Artisphere.

"All in Awe" the poster artwork for Artisphere 2023, created by Genna and Signe Grushovenko
"All in Awe" the poster artwork for Artisphere 2023, created by Genna and Signe Grushovenko

"The artwork resonated because the audience is in awe of what they are looking at, similar to the patrons that visit the festival," Murphy said. "We could have selected a dozen different pieces of art from Genna and Signe. Their technique, their work, it's amazing. It resonates with so many people on so many different levels."

'All in Awe,' and other artistic influences for the Grushovenkos

"All in Awe" draws inspiration from a crowd onlooking the Apollo 11 launch in 1969 according to Signe, and can be seen on posters, flyers and various forms of memorabilia for the 2023 Artisphere celebration.

The unveiling of the 2023 Artisphere commemorative poster image. The "Sneak Peek" event was held at Genevieve’s at the Peace Center. Guests were able to meet some of the artists behind the commemorative images and learn about programming highlights for the 19th annual fine arts festival, to be held May 12-14.
The unveiling of the 2023 Artisphere commemorative poster image. The "Sneak Peek" event was held at Genevieve’s at the Peace Center. Guests were able to meet some of the artists behind the commemorative images and learn about programming highlights for the 19th annual fine arts festival, to be held May 12-14.

At the weekend festival, two variations of the original portrait which are also part of that 15-year-old collection will be sold at Artisphere. "Vertical Slice" is a 48-inch-by-36-inch artwork and will sell for $5,800, while "Jelly Belly" a 42-inch-by-48-inch painting will sell for $6,500.

"It has a very optimistic energy about itself, and it has mystery," Signe said of the original artwork made with contemporary oils. "It creates the question, 'what are they looking at' or 'what is going on?'"

Over this weekend, Artisphere's 143 creative artists will help define both of Signe's questions.

Festival Time: 'Something magical about this year.' What to see, do at Artisphere 2023 in downtown Greenville

Staying married while being Greenville-based artists, and Ukrainian roots

Visual artists' marriages are common, but to work alongside one another for 23 years, stay together and thrive within a budding art scene is rare, Signe said. The couple moved to Greenville in 2010.

Signe Grushovenko, left, and Genna Grushovenko are artists in Greenville. Genna begins the team's art process by creating layers of pattern and tone for Signe to work with. Next, Signe selects an image and draws with oil pastel on it.
Signe Grushovenko, left, and Genna Grushovenko are artists in Greenville. Genna begins the team's art process by creating layers of pattern and tone for Signe to work with. Next, Signe selects an image and draws with oil pastel on it.

After moving from Ukraine, Genna met Singe at an art school in Georgia. She thought the Upstate would make the perfect home with its proximity to larger cities and her relationships with established artists.

Their beginnings in Greenville started out at FlatIron Studios where the couple immersed themselves within the artist community alongside friends like Joseph Bradley and other West Greenville-based creatives.

Since then, the couple's contemporary oil artwork shows a passion for mid-19th-century photography. The couple remodeled a mid-19th century church into what is now OYĒ Studios at 37 E. Hillcrest Drive, where they share the space with 12 other artists including Glory Day Loflin, last year's Artisphere poster artist.

Signe and Genna Grushovenko are artists in Greenville. Genna begins the team's art process by creating layers of pattern and tone for Signe to work with. Next, Signe selects an image and draws with oil pastel on it. Genna Grushovenko shows off some of the couple work.
Signe and Genna Grushovenko are artists in Greenville. Genna begins the team's art process by creating layers of pattern and tone for Signe to work with. Next, Signe selects an image and draws with oil pastel on it. Genna Grushovenko shows off some of the couple work.

The Grushovenkos' artwork has been sold at premium art shows across the country: the Old Town Art Fair in Chicago, Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver, La Quinta Art Celebration in California, and Cocoanut Grove Festival in Florida.

Now, headed into their 6th year being selected on Artist Row at Artisphere, the married couple agrees that nothing compares to what Greenville's springtime festival and art scene has to offer.

"Artisphere is a really fun show with an incredible stable of artists," said Genna Grushovenko. "The level of talent and dedication by people making the art here is pretty darn impressive. That kind of shows with Artisphere."

Signe and Genna Grushovenko are artists in Greenville. Genna begins the team's art process by creating layers of pattern and tone for Signe to work with. Next, Signe selects an image and draws with oil pastel on it. Signe Grushovenko talks about the couple's work.
Signe and Genna Grushovenko are artists in Greenville. Genna begins the team's art process by creating layers of pattern and tone for Signe to work with. Next, Signe selects an image and draws with oil pastel on it. Signe Grushovenko talks about the couple's work.

The couple doesn't see anything not to like about Artisphere.

"We feel very grateful to have a show of this quality right at our doorstep," Singe said. "It has helped us as artists so much."

– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and more for The Greenville News and Anderson Independent Mail. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on Twitter @ajhappened.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Artisphere poster artists say Greenville festival 'a really fun show'