Chris Clamp Live Painting Demonstration

Saturday, October 3, 2026 | Time: 10AM - 12PM at Upstairs Artspace | 49 S. Trade St., Tryon, NC | Free and open to the public

Acclaimed contemporary realist painter Chris Clamp will give a live demonstration discussing his painting process at Upstairs Artspace on Saturday, October 3, 2026 . During the demonstration, Clamp will discuss his techniques, materials, and approach to selecting and arranging the objects that inspire his still life paintings.

Clamp’s work is currently featured in An Ancient Genre Revisited: Still Life Paintings alongside Andrew Leventis and Christina Renfer Vogel. His paintings transform commonplace and vintage objects into carefully composed narratives that explore memory, nostalgia, and the meaning we attach to ordinary things.

Growing up in Leesville, South Carolina, Clamp spent much of his childhood exploring his grandfather’s barn, where he became fascinated by the stories and histories suggested by the objects he discovered. That early curiosity continues to influence his work today. He seeks out vintage objects with nostalgic resonance and uses them to create paintings that are both highly detailed and deeply personal.

“I have used objects as a way to portray a narrative or a curious juxtaposition,” Clamp explains. His paintings invite viewers to look beyond the objects themselves and consider the memories, experiences, and emotions they may represent.

Clamp has been featured in the SC State Triennial and the prestigious Re-Presenting Representation exhibition at the Arnot Art Museum in Elmira, New York. He was also recently honored with a solo exhibition at the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, Georgia. In 2025, he received the Lillian Orlowsky and William Freed Grant, which includes an exhibition at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum in 2026.

Clamp lives and works in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he is represented by Jerald Melberg Gallery.

Join Upstairs Artspace for this special opportunity to watch Chris Clamp work firsthand and gain insight into the ideas, techniques, and stories behind his paintings. The demonstration is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are requested to help us get an accurate head count. Please RSVP on our website, UpstairsArtspace.org , under the Events tab. Donations are greatly appreciated and help Upstairs Artspace continue bringing engaging exhibitions, educational programs, and special events like this to the Tryon area.

For more information, contact the gallery at 828-859-2828 or email frontdesk@upstairsartspace.org. An Ancient Genre Revisited: Still Lifes by Chris Clamp, Andrew Leventis, and Christina Vogel is on display September 13 through October 16, 2026. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday, 12-5 pm.