Clark Ellefson

The South Carolina State Fair is proud to announce the nineteenth (19th) recipient of the annual South Carolina State Fair Fine Art Spirit Achievement Award is awarded to Mr. Clark Ellefson, principal designer and owner of LEWIS and CLARK which constructs furniture through an exploration into ideas, color, texture and materials, specializing in post-modern and modern furniture design.

 

In 1974, Clark received a BA in Fine Arts from the University of South Carolina with emphasis in sculpture, ceramics and film. 

 

In 1980, Clark and furniture maker, Jim Lewis, established the furniture design studio, LEWIS and CLARK , which experimented  and created avant-garde furniture.  With continued pursuits into modern furniture design, LEWIS and CLARK established commissions, clientele and artistic identity within their art and the community.  After several years of success, Clark became the sole owner and designer of LEWIS and CLARK as Jim Lewis pursued interests on the west coast. 

 

The work of LEWIS and CLARK has been shown at a number of art exhibitions including the Miami Museum of Art, Salon de Mobile, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Chicago Art Institute and the Columbia Museum of Art with works in the permanent collections of the Chicago Art Institute, the Columbia Museum of Art and the South Carolina State Museum.

 

The works of LEWIS and CLARK have also appeared in various publications such as "Architectural Record," "Casa Vogue," "Interiors," "Fine Woodworking Design" and "Pronto" (Japanese design magazine).Clark  has participated in many art competitions and has received many awards, including the Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Award in 1992.

 

Clark has served as committee member of Artista Vista, board member of the Columbia Development Corporation, board member of the Columbia Design League and panel member of Artists in South Carolina. Along with current showings and commissions, Clark remains an active member of the Columbia Design League, the Furniture Society and the Columbia Development Corporation.

 

Because of his dedication to the art community, Clark Ellefson has been chosen to receive the 2009 South Carolina State Fair Fine Art Spirit Achievement Award.