Artists are remembering a “monumental” educator this week, recalling Al Beyer for his decades of influence at USC Aiken and beyond, following the native New Yorker’s death of a heart attack Saturday in Florida.
“Al will always be the teacher and I will always be the student,” said professional artist Robert Campbell, who recalled getting tips and lessons, until about a week ago, from the longtime educator who had moved to Jacksonville to live with one of his daughters in recent years.
“I met Al when I was 18 years old. He was the most influential person in my life,” said Campbell, who chose the word “monumental” in describing his mentor. Campbell now teaches at the Aiken Center for the Arts, among other locales.
Another of Beyer’s USCA students, writing anonymously, noted, “Great guy! Taught me how to see things differently.”
The word “encourager” came to mind for artist and former Aiken resident Deb Holtzscheiter, who now lives in St. Augustine, Florida. “It didn’t matter how good … or maybe how not-so-good you were. He would work with you just the same, and he just really encouraged people and helped them to enjoy art, for art’s sake,” she said.
Professional artist Sally Donovan expressed particular gratitude for Beyer’s ability to work with “his senior population” — students with several decades of life behind them — and his encouragement for them to “explore, expand and love the world of art.”
She added, “I have never produced such terrific work as I have under this person who guided me, and I have won many prizes and curated shows, and it was just because of his strong belief and also his teaching ability. I mean, he was so skilled in bringing out the very best in me.”
Campbell recalled having Beyer as a professor prior to the existence of the Etherredge Center, which now plays host to offices and other facilities in USCA’s fine and performing arts program.
“Before the Etherredge Center, we had classes at Rose Hill. … He was the only art professor at the University of South Carolina at Aiken at that time.”
Artist Drew Murphy, known for both sculpting and painting, also recalled strong influence from Beyer decades ago, with regard to serious exploration of art. “He convinced me to give it a whirl. … I painted with him for 10 years, and after a couple of years, I started winning ribbons, and I always said they are his ribbons, and all he had to say was, ‘You need to paint bigger.’ He always challenged me. He was just a wonderful teacher.”
Murphy confirmed having Beyer in his personal pantheon of top-notch educators. “I had two good professors in my life. One of them was at Aiken High, and the other was Al. Some people leave an impression on you for life. What a wonderful person.”
