Mark’s work was autobiographical but at the same time had familiar themes that everyone could relate to. The books told short stories or had quotes from the Bible. The paintings and computer prints depicted children and adults working and playing at school and at Topsail Beach. The children and adults he met in this area inspired the art exhibit: “Children of Topsail.” The books and sculptures incorporated many types of materials: found objects, mass produce items, and computer enhanced imagery. In 1994 Mark became the art specialist for Topsail Elementary Schools, at Hampstead, North Carolina.
During that time Mark made a series of books that had historical, fictional and autobiographical themes and included boxes and other objects to enhance those themes. At that time, he continued to make art especially exploring the “book” which became an important new medium for him. He also experimented with performance art putting on sound shows in the school lobby using old fisher-price toy radios.Īfter receiving his MFA in 1991 Mark returned home to Richlands and began looking for a full-time job as an art specialist. In Columbia he continued creating sculpture and environments that involved a variety of materials found from the local flea markets. After three successful years there he was accepted at the University of South Carolina’s art program at Columbia, South Carolina. He experimented with creating three-dimensional mixed media works inspired by the art of Red Grooms. In 1984 Mark was overwhelmed, inspired, and motivated by the people and artwork he encountered there. Mark’s formal training began at Coastal Carolina Community College under the instruction of Tim Davis who encouraged him to go to East Carolina University’s School of Art. Mark now does educational and entertainment videos under Mark’s Puppet Productions. Mark’s fascination with puppetry led him to take a Ventriloquist course under the Ventriloquist and figure maker Clinton Detweiler in 2006. Puppets, stories, and accessories were of his own creation. In High School he became known as the Puppet man of Richlands after putting on puppet shows for the schools in Onslow County. His fondest memory was his mother doing a mural for a church in Comfort, North Carolina of the Jordan River. His mother, an artist, inspired him, as she did paintings on boards and canvases.
His mother encouraged him to draw and paint. As a child he was always involved in an art project that was either for his own joy or a school assignment.
Mark Scott was born in 1962 at Asheville, North Carolina, and spent most of his childhood years in Richlands, North Carolina.