Works of Theatre Studies major Connor Goins ’24 on display at Clayton galleries in January

Jan. 10, 2024

Photo of MC senior Connor Goins
Connor Goins ’24

Few Maryville College students have made a bigger impact on the visual quality of theatrical productions than Connor Goins ’24, and through the end of January, his costume work will be on display in the Blackberry Farm and William “Ed” Harmon galleries.

Titled “Sewing Good on the Largest Possible Scale: Creating Costumes for the Maryville College Stage and Beyond,” the show — part of Goins’ Senior Study — will be on display through Jan. 26 in the two galleries, located in the Clayton Center for the Arts on the MC campus. 

“In the intricate realm where creativity meets craftsmanship, my exploration as a costume designer has been a transformative odyssey,” Goins said. “This senior art gallery show is a testament to the visual narrative woven through the fabric of my experiences, showcasing an array of costumes meticulously crafted for visual productions.

“Each garment on display serves as a tangible chapter in the unfolding story of my artistic evolution. From the initial spark of inspiration to the final stitch, every costume embodies the fusion of imagination and technical skill. The garments are not merely ensembles; they are living, breathing characters, brought to life through the alchemy of design.”

A Theatre Studies major from Cleveland, Tennessee, Goins is a frequent actor in MC Theatre productions as well as the costume designer for those works. He also serves as an ambassador for the Maryville College Office of Admissions. The display will showcase the full journey of his work, from conceptual designs to photographs of the completed costumes.

“These drawings, born from the wellspring of imagination, serve as the blueprints for the fantastical worlds I’ve had the privilege to create,” he said. “They offer a glimpse into the initial sparks of creativity that ignited the entire design process. This gallery show is an invitation to step into the multifaceted universe of costume design — a space where storytelling is translated into garments, and where the transformative power of imagination is tangible.”

Gallery hours at the Blackberry Farm and William “Ed” Harmon galleries are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. An artist’s reception for Goins will take place from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, in the galleries. The reception is free and open to the public.

Maryville College is a nationally-ranked institution of higher learning and one of America’s oldest colleges. For more than 200 years we’ve educated students to be giving citizens and gifted leaders, to study everything, so that they are prepared for anything — to address any problem, engage with any audience and launch successful careers right away. Located in Maryville, Tennessee, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Knoxville, Maryville College offers nearly 1,200  students from around the world both the beauty of a rural setting and the advantages of an urban center, as well as more than 60 majors, seven pre-professional programs and career preparation from their first day on campus to their last. Today, our 10,000 alumni are living life strong of mind and brave of heart and are prepared, in the words of our Presbyterian founder, to “do good on the largest possible scale.”