Artist born in Greer to exhibit work and visit schools for town's 150th anniversary

A presenter announced that an artist born in Greer who left during the Great Migration will exhibit his work in town as part of Greer's 150th anniversary and will meet students at local schools next week. The presenter said the artist sent a large box of literature and requested the exhibit, and that hosting him is “a pure honor.”

The presenter described the artist's background, saying he "started out playing a basketball, in Dayton, Ohio," attended DePaul University and earned an arts education degree. The presenter said the artist then spent much of his career creating and leading community art centers in multiple places.

"He was really on the forefront in the fifties and sixties of getting African American art out into the community," the presenter said, describing the artist's efforts to broaden representation in institutions that had not previously shown that work. The presenter added that the artist had a long, distinguished career showing primarily in museums and colleges.

The presenter framed the exhibition as a homecoming: the artist left Greer during the Jim Crow era and is returning for the town's hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary, which the presenter said makes the visit a "full circle" moment. The presenter also noted medium and teaching practice: "Lehi considered himself a potter, but he also dabbles in photography and painting," and said, "in his heart, he is really he's really a teacher."

The presenter said schools are scheduled to meet the artist next week so students can see his work and hear about his career. No ticketing, gallery schedule, or formal program details were provided in the presentation.

Organizers did not provide further biographical specifics such as the artist's full legal name, exact exhibit dates, or the names of the schools that will host visits. The presenter emphasized the artist's community-focused career and the significance of his return to Greer for the anniversary.