On Friday, September 19th, students, employees, and family members of the artist found their way to the Warner Art Gallery to see the work of St. Andrew’s new visual arts instructor Charlese Phillips. 

Phillips’ exhibition, “Years: A Reflection,” features work dating back to her time as a high school student and before, making the exhibition a deeply personal look at her artistic journey. As viewers travel the room, they can jump through time and see how her technique and creativity evolved throughout the years. Phillips’ recent work features fiber artistry, particularly tapestry, and dazzles with intricate brushwork and stitching. 

“This is one of the first exhibitions where I actually included stories about my life and my journey. I feel like [St. Andrew’s] was probably the best place for me to do that,” says Phillips. “Since I have started here, I’ve felt very much at home. Everybody has been so welcoming, and that gave me that safe space to open up and explore.” 

Phillips’ work touched close to home for Saints because it highlighted the artist’s high school experience. “I think it is really reflective … to give [students] a window into that progression that you have as an artist, and seeing where I started, too,” she says. “It has actually been a little bit emotional for me. I’m proud of myself that I kept going.” 

The exhibit showcased the art department’s emphasis on faculty members who are also practicing artists. “That [creativity] is really important in our art faculty because part of teaching is being a role model,” says Head of School Joy McGrath ’92, who attended the opening. “When you are actually creating work that is in time and in space, and devoting time and space to your work, it is an example to students of how it is to be a professional and also practice.”

Abe Perry ’26 enjoyed wandering around the gallery and getting to  know a new community member based on her work. “Getting to see the kind of art our teachers produce is really cool,” he says. “[It shows] how good these people are, and also puts into perspective how many layers there are to start [creating] art.”

The Warner Gallery features three to four visiting artists per year from throughout the region thanks to photography and printmaking instructor Joshua Meier P’28,’24, who also curates the gallery. “It’s this balancing act of wanting the art to be good, and wanting it to be interesting, but you also want it to work within the context of what we do at St. Andrew’s,” he says. Phillips’ gallery, he notes, encapsulates these principles.

The show runs until October 19th, and the artist is happy to discuss her work with those curious about her technique and path. Her words of advice based on lessons learned? “Never stop creating,” she says.