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College of Arts and Sciences

History and AFAM alumna curates the future through art and education

Andreia Wardlaw started college with a search for belonging. Growing up in Greenville, South Carolina, she knew she wanted to attend a large university, a place where academics and athletics were equally exciting, and she found that at the University of South Carolina.  

Today, the history and African American Studies graduate has found the perfect way to blend her love for both fields into a dream career. She serves as the director of the Walter and Linda Evans Center for African American Studies at the SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia, and an instructor with USC Upstate, a combination that positions her to lead the next generation of art historians and culturalists. 

“Being able to activate the collection, create programming and offer students opportunities to engage with art has been incredible,” Wardlaw says. “I love interacting with different topics, and this role gives me the creative freedom to bring Black art and history to life in new ways.”

a woman looking at artwork

Finding her academic passion 

Though initially drawn to USC's history program, a pivotal class in African American art opened her eyes to a rich cultural depth she hadn’t been exposed to before. That class sparked a passion that would guide her through an academic path centered on Black history, art and culture. 

While studying history, Wardlaw minored in African American Studies (AFAM). One course, taught by AFAM Professor Deena Isom, proved to be transformative. Isom’s class on intersectionality and Black feminism gave Wardlaw the intellectual foundation for her research and professional life.  

It was more than just an academic experience; Wardlaw found a safe space to explore complex issues during the 2016 presidential election, a tense time in the country. Isom’s guidance and mentorship also shaped Wardlaw’s approach to centering Black women in her research and career. 

“The course was my first exposure to the Black feminist framework,” Wardlaw says. “It became the foundation of my work, showing me how to center Black women in a meaningful and impactful way.”  

This focus became a cornerstone of Wardlaw’s academic journey, which was marked by her participation as a research assistant with the Center for Civil Rights History and Research, involvement in the Discover USC research fair and a deep dive into the many fields taught in African American studies. 

Wardlaw credits her time at USC with shaping her critical thinking and awareness of how history continues to influence contemporary struggles. She views her education as a powerful tool for addressing societal issues, particularly those affecting Black women.  

“These aren’t new struggles,” she says. “It’s a continuum of what’s always been happening. Having a foundational understanding of history allows me to look ahead while staying rooted in the lessons of the past.”

"There’s so much potential to uncover these lost stories and people who haven’t been seen. It’s up to me to use my voice to create space for them."

Andreia Wardlaw
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Bringing Black art to the forefront 

After graduating from USC, Wardlaw moved to New York City and found a role at The Studio Museum in Harlem. This experience solidified her desire to marry her love of contemporary art with African American studies. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wardlaw earned her master’s degree in African American Studies from Columbia University and shortly after took up her role as the Director of the Evans Center for African American Studies at the SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia. 

In her role at SCAD, she oversees a modern and contemporary art collection that highlights 150 years of Black American art history, featuring renowned artists like Elizabeth Catlett and Jacob Lawrence. She also oversees programming that engages the community, making space for students and the public to explore the significance of African American artistry.  

One of her most impactful summer events included film screenings of Black art and culture, featuring works like Malcolm X and Daughters of the Dust, which drew large crowds and sparked meaningful conversations. 

Wardlaw’s work at the Evans Center is a direct extension of her USC education. The interdisciplinary nature of African American Studies, combined with her background in history, equips her to address forgotten stories and highlight marginalized voices in her field. As a "culturalist," she delves into deep cultural references and challenges conventional narratives, always striving to find connections between the past and present.  

“There’s so much potential to uncover these lost stories and people who haven’t been seen,” she says. “It’s up to me to use my voice to create space for them.” 

Keeping the connection 

In addition to her work at SCAD, Wardlaw teaches an online Introduction to African American Studies course at USC Upstate. This opportunity allows her to share her passion and knowledge with a new generation of students, encouraging them to explore the vast possibilities that an African American Studies education offers. 

Looking ahead, Wardlaw is excited about upcoming exhibitions at the Evans Center, including a fall show Cloaked in a Cloud, Disguised in the Sky featuring George Clinton, the legendary father of funk music who explores Afrofuturism in his first solo exhibition as a painter. Another project is a beauty panel focusing on the concept of Black beauty in collaboration with artist Anthony Akinbola’s exhibition Good Hair, including visual murals grappling with the cultural significance of Black hair and beauty standards. 

For current students considering a major or minor in African American Studies, Wardlaw’s advice is simple: “Do it. The program and the women who lead it are amazing. There’s a huge pool of possibilities, and the connections you make will sustain you. Every industry can benefit from someone with this knowledge, so use your voice and make sure it’s heard.” 


Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

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