The Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, Presents Fine Art & Fine Wine Fundraiser – Feb. 11, 2017

What better way to celebrate ART and LEARNING than with a festive wine tasting and art auction! The Society is hosting a fundraiser event to benefit SOBA’s Center for Creative Arts which covers adult programs, free after-school programs for local 4-5th graders, events such as the K-5 Childrens’ Art Expo, and scholarships for Bluffton high school students to attend college or universities to work towards art-related degrees.

“Fine Art & Fine Wine” will be held on Feb. 11, 2017, from 5-9pm in the Rotary Community Center at Oscar Frazier Community Park in Bluffton. Tickets are a mere $25 and include the wine tasting, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and the opportunity to bid on great art donated by local artists. Wine will also be available to purchase, by the bottle or the case, from two well-known distributors: Aleph Wines Corporation and Alvintage Wines. Representatives will be in attendance to answer questions and guide the party-goers in their selections. Cheese for the tasting will be furnished by Murray’s Cheese of Bluffton Kroger. Hors d’oeuvres platters will be donated by The Complete Home.

Tickets are available at the SOBA Gallery and from SOBA members each of whom have been given a handful they are responsible for selling.

SOBA is a non-profit organization established to promote a stimulating community environment for the visual arts and assist area students and artists in enhancing their artistic abilities. Help to continue the tradition of sharing the love of art and learning with our community!

For further information call the Society at 843/757-6586 or visit (www.sobagallery.com).

Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, Announce Winners of “22nd Annual Judged Show”

The Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, is presenting the “22nd Annual Judged Show”, Apr. 4-30, 2016, at the SOBA Gallery.

The Society of Bluffton Artists held its awards presentation and reception on Friday Apr. 8, with a full house of artists and admirers. This year’s judge, Christina Chastain, is a multifaceted artist and proactive leader in arts education from Lancaster, SC. The awards, presented in seven categories, were as follows:

BEST OF SHOW – Anita Stephens – “A Breezy Morning”, oil

Work by Mary Ann Putzier

Watercolor
1st Place – Mary Ann Putzier – “Color Me Summer”
2nd Place – Lorraine Mullaney – “Snowdrops”
3rd Place – Pat Wilund – “Ok, Who Knows How To Row?”

Work by Dennis Lake

Oil
1st Place – Dennis Lake – “Color Burst”
2nd Place – Judy Drummond – “Blue Sky Breaking”
3rd Place – Ken Bullard – “Cloudy”

Work by Stephen Moscowitz

Acrylic
1st Place – Stephen Moscowitz – “Roseatte Spoonbill”
2nd Place – Frank Pinto – “Midnight Star”
3rd Place – Joan McKeever – “Lobster Buoy Garden”

Work by Clyde Lahore

Photography
1st Place – Clyde Lahore – “Pompeii”
2nd Place – Edith Wood – “Broad River Bridge”
3rd Place – Kendra Natter – “Monkey Roots”

Work by Mark Taylor

3D
1st Place – Mark Taylor – “Nautilus Platter”
2nd Place – Jim Zeller – “Norfolk Island Pine”
3rd Place – Lynda Hawley – “My Prince”

Work by Bill Winn

Mixed Medium
1st Place – Bill Winn – “Sunflowers II”
2nd Place – Nancy Ridgeway – “Wandering Through Life”
3rd Place – Mike Nicastre – “Gothic Green”

Work by Cynthia Zeiss

Other
1st Place – Cynthia Zeiss – “Moonglow”
2nd Place – Joan Wykis – “Caladium Crazy”
3rd Place – Mary Sullivan – “Light Odyssey”

A special THANK YOU to our sponsors:

Dick Blick Art Supplies, Palmetto State Bank, Charter One Realty, Stock Farm Antiques, The Barony, Captain Woody’s Restaurant, Pearce Scott Architects, Cocoon, Bluffton Seafood Restaurant, The Cottage Restaurant, Spartina and Fat Patties. These wonderful sponsors along with SOBA’s team of dedicated volunteers, made this a fun and successful show.

The show will be on display through Apr. 30, 2016. Please visit the SOBA Gallery, located at the corner of Church and Calhoun Streets in Old Town Bluffton.

For further information call 843/757-6586 or visit (www.sobagallery.com).

The Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, have Awarded the 2015 Scholarships Awards to Victoria Branagan and Sheldon Smith

The Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, is pleased to announce the 2015 Naomi McCracken Scholarship Awards going to two very talented student artists. Each year SOBA awards scholarships to deserving graduating seniors from Bluffton High School who have been accepted to an accredited art college and plan to major in the visual arts.

Work by Victoria Branagan

The first place winner is Victoria Branagan who will be attending Winthrop University in the fall, studying art with emphasis on fashion merchandising. She says the most influential artist she has studied is Vincent Van Gogh and is inspired to paint with acrylic and mixed media.

Work by Sheldon Smith

The second place award went to  Sheldon Smith who will be studying graphic design at Coastal Carolina University.

These students were judged based on their body of work and interviews with the SOBA scholarship committee. This young lady and gentleman are inspiring and are sure to be successful in their next level of artistic endeavors. Congratulations to them both!

For further info call SOBA at 843/757-6586  or visit (www.sobagallery.com).

Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, Announces Winners of Annual Member’s Show

The Society of Bluffton Artists Annual Judged Member Show held its awards presentation and reception on Friday Mar. 6, 2015, with a full house of artists and admirers at the Society’s gallery in Bluffton, SC. This year’s judge, acclaimed artist and art professor from SCAD, Jeff Markowsky, gave a thoughtful and concise explanation of why each of his choices were made.

The awards, presented in five categories, were as follows:

Work by Judith Ann Wenning

BEST OF SHOW – Judith Ann Wenning – “Lake House”, Watercolor

Work by N. Jack Huddle

Oil
1st Place –  N. Jack Huddle – “Just the Apple”
2nd Place – Cynthia Wood – “I Like That One!”
3rd Place – Joyce Howell Peckham – “Birchwood”

Work by Stephen Moscowitz

Acrylic
1st Place – Stephen Moscowitz – “Three Vessels”
2nd Place – Betsy Schroeter – “Solitude”
3rd Place – Barbara Spencer – “Azalea Walk”

Work by LeAnn Kalita

Watercolor
1st Place – LeAnn Kalita – “The Boatwright”
2nd Place – Mary Ann Putzier – “I’m Thinking”
3rd Place – Lorraine Mullaney – “Iris”

Work by Edith Wood

Photography
1st Place – Edith Wood – “Foggy Morning”
2nd Place – Wes Grady – “La Contess di Nari”
3rd Place – Frank Pinto – “Great Blue”

Work by Julie Felver

Drawing and Other
1st Place – Julie Felver – “Sand Dollar”
2nd Place – Larry Hughes – “Ancient Hawaiian Pictograph”
3rd Place – Celia Pray – “Rippie”

A special THANK YOU to our sponsors: Betty Luntey, Captain Woody’s, Corner Perk, Crazy Crab, Donna Brennan, Gigi’s Boutique, Juliana Kim, Latitudes Wine Bar, Marty Sherman, Palmetto State Bank, Pluff Mudd Gallery, Stock Farm Antiques, The Garden Gate Nursery, The Great Frame Up, and Utrecht. These wonderful sponsors along with organizer Mary Ann Putzier and her team of show volunteers, made this a fun and successful show.

The show will be on display through Apr. 4, 2015. Please visit the SOBA Gallery, located at the corner of Church and Calhoun Streets in Old Town Bluffton.

Call 843/757-6586 or visit (www.sobagallery.com) for more information.

Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, Announces 2014 Naomi McCracken Scholarship Awards

The Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, is pleased to announce the 2014 Naomi McCracken Scholarship Awards going to two very talented student artists. Each year SOBA awards scholarships to deserving graduating seniors from Bluffton High School who have been accepted to an accredited art college and plan to major in the visual arts.

The first place winner is Mirco Cavallarin who is planning a career in graphic design. He will be attending USCB for a year and then will attend Winthrop University.

Maria Garcia is the second place winner. She would like to be a fashion photographer and also plans to attend USCB for a year and then Winthrop.

They were judged based on their body of work and interviews with the SOBA scholarship committee. This young gentleman and lady are inspiring and are sure to be successful in their next level of artistic endeavors. Congratulations to them both!

For further information call the Society at  843/757-6586  or visit (www.sobagallery.com).

Pluff Mudd Art Gallery in Bluffton, SC – Voted “Best of Bluffton”

For the third consecutive year, Pluff Mudd Art Gallery in Bluffton, SC, has been selected “Best of Bluffton’’ by “Bluffton Today”.

This unique gallery exhibits the high quality work of more than 20 well-recognized local artists, photographers, woodworkers, jewelry makers and potters in a space enhanced by a new, state-of-the-art lighting system.

Located at 27 Calhoun Street in Old Town Bluffton, the gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. There is always an artist available there to answer questions and assist visitors.

For more information call the gallery at 843/757-5590.

Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, Announces Winners of Annual Juried Member Show

The Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, held its awards presentation and reception for its “Annual Judged Member Show”, on Sunday May11, 2014, with a full house of artists and admirers. This year’s judge, acclaimed artist and art professor from Savannah College of Art and Design, Daniel E. Smith, gave a thoughtful and concise explanation of why each of his choices were made. The awards, presented in five categories, were as follows:

Work by Mary Ann Putzier

BEST OF SHOW – “The Tree Nymph” – Mary Ann Putzier

Oil

1st Place – Murray Sease – “Wash Down”

2nd Place – Mike Nicastre – “The Watcher”

Honorable Mention – Heidi Fearon – “My Lagoon”

Acrylic

1st Place – Frank Pinto – “Buttons”

2nd Place – Barbara Teschner – “Hand in Hand”

Honorable Mention – Stephen Moscowitz – “Day Dreamer”

Watercolor

1st Place – Don Theodore – “View of the River”

2nd Place – Dee Johnson – “Iris’ Ez”

Honorable Mention – Pat Wilund – “Poppies”

Photography

1st Place – Ed Funk – “John Boat”

2nd Place – Robert Weissman – “Coyote Buttes Sandstone”

Honorable Mention – Joseph Wolfe – “Old Faithful”

Other

1st Place – Mary Sullivan – “Gravitas”

2nd Place – Marsha Leinberger – “Triad”

Honorable Mention – Nona Rooney – “The Prayer Wheel”

A special THANK YOU to our sponsors: Carson Realty, Palmetto State Bank, Blick Art Materials, Marty Sherman, Captain Woody’s, Donna Brennan, Pluff Mudd, Katie O’Donads, McCracken Family, The Great Frame Up, Cheap Joe’s who, along with organizer Mary Ann Putzier and her team of show volunteers, made this a very fun and successful show.

The show, featuring 2-dimensional art and photography, will be on display through May 31, 2014. Please visit the SOBA Gallery, located at the corner of Church and Calhoun Streets in Old Town Bluffton.

For further info call 843/757-6586 or visit (www.sobagallery.com).

Society of Bluffton Artist in Bluffton, SC, Will Hosts a Grand Opening of Their Center for Creative Arts Feb. 17, 2014

The Society of Bluffton Artists’ (SOBA) new Center for Creative Arts building is now open! The public is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception, Monday Feb. 17, 2014, at 5 pm. The Center for Creative Arts (CCA) is located next to the SOBA Gallery on the corner of Calhoun and Church Streets in the Arts District of Old Town Bluffton, SC.

This new facility will support SOBA’s expanding art programs with instructors specializing in a wide range of art and media skills and techniques. We are offering art classes throughout the year to our members and non-members to enhance their artistic capabilities. We are continuing to support the community with art programs to Bluffton’s 4th and fifth grade students for free and offering scholarships to those pursuing art to a college of their choice.

Fourth and fifth graders from Bluffton Elementary School enjoy an after school card-making class led by volunteers Pat Wilund and Carolyn Grace.

The quaint, 900 square foot CCA building seats 50 for lectures and classes of 15-20. It has state-of-the-art AV capabilities. In addition to SOBA’s uses it is available for other events and community functions compatible with SOBA’s mission. Please call 843/247-2868 to inquire about rental availability.

SOBA is a non-profit organization established to promote a stimulating community environment for the visual arts and assist area students and artists in enhancing their artistic abilities.

For more information please visit our website at (www.sobagallery.com).

Artist Amiri Farris Creates the 2013 Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival in Bluffton, SC, Commemorative Poster

In celebration of The 2013 Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival Bluffton, taking place in Bluffton, SC, resident and well known artist designs a unique commemorative artwork and poster.

“I wanted to create a poster that was fun , unique, visually interesting and that captured the festive atmosphere of the Arts and Seafood Festival. The crab, oysters and shrimp encompass the theme of the festival and I tried to illustrate that in my own unique style,” states Farris.

Amiri will be on hand signing posters as well as working on an oversized painting at the “Friends of Bluffton Artists” 2nd Annual Invitational Showcase of Local Art Sunday Oct. 13, 2013, from 11am until 5pm, in Old Town on Calhoun & Boundary. And Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20 on the festival strip Calhoun Street.

He will also be releasing his new series called Blufton dreams. This series of paintings and prints is a layered interpretation of elements found in old town Bluffton. “Bluffton is a unique town and I wanted to create a series of Artwork illustrating the different elements found in old town in my own style.”

The poster images can currently be viewed in a digital gallery at (http://www.behance.net/wip/255711/480931?sid=cvjuu6hu2ouc9fp6hf6v4mj195).

The ninth annual Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival will be held in the charming and eclectic historic district of Bluffton, SC, well known for its quirky art community and natural river beauty. The festival is a week long event offering a myriad of activities, showcasing the locally harvested seafood, delicious Low Country cuisine, rich history, culture and art of the area and Southern hospitality found only in Bluffton.

The highlight of the festival is the Streetfest which includes a juried fine art show featuring over 100 artists from 10 different states displaying and selling their art, delicious food provided by the area’s premier restaurants and caterers and great music and entertainment on Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20.

Amiri Geuka Farris received his Masters of Fine Art in Painting, with his BFA in Illustration and graphic design, from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He is currently a Instructor at the University of South Carolina Beaufort where he teaches studio art. Farris’ works are full of exuberant color and intimate personal experiences. His deep engaging layers invite you to look deeper into the painting, where images and colors dance across the canvas in an energetic display of expression. His work has been featured in more than 50 one-person gallery shows and juried museum exhibitions across the US, including the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, and the York W. Bailey Museum at Historic Penn Center National Historic Landmark on St. Helena Island, SC, where he was named the 2008 Artist-of- the-Year. He has steadily created a diverse and inspired body of work that is eagerly collected in private collections throughout the world. Farris’ art studio, located at the Sea Island Art Center at the University of South Carolina’s Beaufort campus, is open by appointment. His artwork is currently on display locally at Four Corners Gallery in Old Town Bluffton.

Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, Receives Grant from Lowcountry Community Foundation for New Center for Creative Arts

The Lowcountry Community Foundation awarded the Society of Bluffton Artists a grant of $12,000 to be put towards the purchase of easels, tables, chairs and materials for their new Center for Creative Arts. The building is being built next to the existing SOBA Gallery on Church Street in old town Bluffton, SC. The space will be used to provide art classes for local school students during the school year. This is an after-school, no-cost program extended to 4th and 5th graders in our school district. The space will also be used for The Society’s outreach programs which schedules speakers and workshops specializing in a wide range of art forms. These are designed to assist artists and students to enhance their abilities and promote interest in visual arts in the community.

Ground has been broken for the new Center for Creative Arts building next to the SOBA Gallery in downtown Bluffton.

Vice President Steve Moscowitz, standing in for President Sandra Wenig (who valiantly applied for the grant on SOBA’s behalf), was present at the awards luncheon to accept the check and gave a concise description of our goals and plans.

For further info call 843/757-6586 or visit (www.sobagallery.com).