Camden Art Shoppes will celebrate Native American Heritage on Friday, 11/18/22 and 11/25/22 at 1011 Galleria (1011 Broad Street) in Camden, SC, the newest addition to the growing downtown Camden art scene. Make an evening out of it! Appetizers and drinks available at Salud’s Restaurant. Reservations suggested for dinner.
Today we are introducing and honoring Dot Goodwin, who will be featured on 11/18/22, 5:00-7:00pm.
By Judy Watts
Camden artist Dot Goodwin came here because of a horse, and she’s made her home here in the decades since.
As owner of Artist’s Attic on Broad Street she nurtures local artists, participates in and supports the local arts scene. Artist’s Attic serves as her studio and gallery. Her own art reaches in many directions but a recurring theme is rooted in Native American culture.
Her art incorporates Native American imagery like horses and wings which acknowledge the deep connection she feels to the people and their spiritual practices. In her early days in Camden, she met a Cherokee Shaman, who she says changed her life.
“I became her fire keeper for sweat lodges and have been a fire keeper since 1996 when I went to a retreat in Kingstree and met Catholic sisters who do sweat lodges.”
As a young woman, at the urging of her sister, Goodwin served in the military for three years and was stationed at Fort Jackson where she worked as an arts and crafts specialist running the shop and repairing equipment.
“I tripled participation in a few months. And when I got out of the military I stayed on for seven more years as a department of defense employee doing the same work.”
She eventually started working in the stable and when the horse she became attached to was moved to Red Bank Stable in Camden, she came here too, and has been here ever since.
Goodwin was born in Apex, North Carolina in the same farmhouse where her father and his sisters were born. So she could start first grade, her family had to take the family Bible to Raleigh by train to get her birth certificate issued.
“My birth certificate even states ‘according to the family Bible.’”
Her early years of farm life had her working in tobacco fields, tending vegetables and learning about various plants and animals. The family eventually moved to northern California where she attended high school and was involved in art there.
Today she has recreated that feeling of home here, where she lives on a farm with her beloved horses.
Goodwin specializes in commissioned one-of-a-kind pieces, original paintings and castings which are hanging in galleries across South Carolina and internationally.
Goodwin’s art is available at Camden Art Shoppes at 1011 Galleria on Broad Street, Camden. A special Native American celebration of art will feature her work Friday night, Nov. 18 from 3-7 p.m. Goodwin will be available to discuss her art from 5- 7 p.m.
