A colonial-style brick building shopfront has a embedded signage reading Gunter-Smith Center for Community Engagement, followed by the York College of Pennsylvania logo.

Colton Boyles

Appell Arts Fellow, 2020–2021

Colton Boyles '19 is a graphic artist who is based in the York, PA, area. Creating propaganda like poster illustrations, his work focuses on how his Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and the pressures of society affect the stability of his emotions and social life. With silkscreening being his main medium, Colton explores the idea of transferable art, art that can be silkscreened on various surfaces and materials (other than paper), adding more complexity to the original design. Colton received his BA in Fine Art from York College of Pennsylvania in 2019. Other than art, Colton is also a well-respected beer brewer within the York craft beer industry and is currently the assistant brewer at a local brew pub in East York called Stony Run Brew House.

Colton's Website
Colton Boyles Headshot
Colton Boyles, 2020–2021 Appell Arts Fellow

Learn More About the ArtistInsight and Advice for Prospective Fellows

  • What things did you accomplish as an Appell Fellow of which you are most proud?

    The things that I am most proud of are the promotional material that I did for my fellowship exhibition. I went out of my comfort zone and pushed myself to see what I can accomplish. I went all out and designed the exhibition vinyl, did a promo video, and made my own screen-printed show posters. I felt like I needed to do something that hasn’t really been done before and sets me apart from everybody else. The only thing that I could think was to treat my artist’s talk and show like a Netflix special, an event like no other.

  • How did the Appell Fellowship help you to advance your own goals as an artist and/or help you to advance the arts community in York?

    The Fellowship gave me the resources and guidance that I needed in order to see what I was able to accomplish within the allotted 11 months. I had outstanding mentors, who I now consider good and close friends, push me in the direction that I wouldn’t have considered taking and I am very thankful for that. Without them I probably would’ve had a harder time finding out what my niche is and who I am as an artist.

  • If you were talking to someone considering applying to be an Appell Fellow, what would you say to them?

    Know the difference between wanting and needing the position, as it will set you apart from other applicants.