HANK - WOOD N THANGS

Craftsman and celebrated artist Hank D. Herring brings decades of expertise in metalworking, sculpture, and mixed media to his role as owner of the Green Herring Art and Framing Studio in historic Beaufort, South Carolina. His artistic journey began in childhood, nurtured by creative family members and school art programs, where he distinguished himself by winning numerous science fair awards using wood and metal as his primary media. 

After completing his machinist apprenticeship and graduating high school, Hank embarked on a twenty-year career in the United States Marine Corps. As a military machinist, he honed his expertise in manipulating metals, plastics, glass, and composite materials, continuously expanding his artistic vocabulary. During his service, Hank developed his signature philosophy of finding beauty and meaning in rescued materials, believing that "the future can be built by using the past, whether from advice or physical objects". 

Today, Hank's work spans continents, with pieces featured in museums and galleries across the United States and internationally, including Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Australia, and Cuba. His distinctive approach incorporates cultural symbols into wooden stamps, which he uses in various media including batik, printmaking, quilting, and ceramics. Hank's work draws from his extensive background in creating with Adinkra symbols, visual symbols originally created by the Akan of Ghana and Gyaman of Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa. Each symbol has a meaning and/or proverb based on life in the culture.

A passionate educator and community advocate, Hank shares his expertise through numerous outreach programs. He has served as a teaching artist for the Kennedy Center's Teaching Artist Program and the Low Country Arts Integration Project with Beaufort County School District. His commitment to arts education extends to board membership with the South Carolina Arts Alliance (SCAA) and consulting roles with local arts organizations.

"We are only limited by our imaginations," Hank often says. "Art should stir the soul and ignite the imagination." This philosophy drives his dedication to mentoring in public and private schools, where he works with diverse groups including youth, physically challenged individuals, and seniors. His mission remains clear: "I'm just passing it forward, it is not mine to keep. I'm paying back what was invested in me, hoping the return is worthy of my investors/ancestors".

Hank's website, https://hank-woodnthangs.com, showcases his diverse portfolio and reflects his commitment to integrating creativity with protection. Through his art and community engagement, Hank aims to empower other artists and help them create legacies for their families. He fosters creativity and cultural appreciation and is passionate about helping artists protect their work from theft. Hank is dedicated to educating fellow artists about the importance of patenting their creations and implementing strategies to safeguard their intellectual property. His mission extends beyond his own art, as he strives to create a more secure and sustainable environment for all artists in the community.

As a prolific Gullah artist in Beaufort, SC, Hank's love for working with rescued materials not only informs his artistic practice but also serves as a metaphor for his community work – finding value and beauty in the overlooked and discarded. His Green Herring Art and Framing Studio has become a hub for local artists and art enthusiasts, offering not just his own creations but also a space for community engagement and artistic growth.