Member Spotlight: Carol Clanton
Lyric Kinard 
Introducing Carol Clanton, from Greenville, SC, a quilt artist and quilt educator specializing in applique.
"The most valuable part of AVT to me has been the Masterclass. I look back over the past year and I can see how much I have improved. The opportunity to continue professional growth with the Roundtables, Seminars, and Q&As has been invaluable."
What do you teach?
I teach applique and technique classes geared to the beginning quilter and well as those looking to refresh their quilting skills. I had been teaching off and on as our family has moved about the country for about 40 years. When we landed in Maryland in 2004, I started working for Viking. There I learned a lot about sewing machines but most importantly, I was able to develop beginner quilting classes. As we moved to South Carolina, I decided to concentrate on hand applique, my first love in our quilting world! As we entered this world of virtual teaching, I started with live hand applique classes and have had a good response. Just recently I have started teaching in-person beginner classes that I hope to soon present as on-demand classes.
Why do you teach?
I teach because I love what I do, and I want to share it with other people who have an interest in learning. Even when I am giving a lecture, I find myself inserting teaching moments into the content as well as sharing my experiences. However, there is nothing like teaching a class and watching as that “aha” moment happens with my students. I strive to give my students encouragement to have that “can do” spirit that will bring them confidence and joy in what they accomplish.
What else do you love?
I love music!! Music has always been a huge part of my life and as far as I am concerned it makes the world go 'round. I majored in music at Furman University and performed vocally and taught elementary music. I left the music classroom as we started moving about the country. However, I continued to teach private piano and voice and worked with children’s choirs. People ask me why I call my business Carol W. Clanton Studios. It all started when I was teaching music privately and also teaching quilting!