La Petite Gallerie in Bluffton, SC, Donate Part of Sales to Help the Bluffton Community

La Petite Gallerie artists were happy to donate a portion of May sales to Bluffton Self Help, a wonderful local organization that helps those in our community in need of food, clothing, educational and financial assistance. They provide programs that promote self-worth, dignity, and create a pathway to personal success. We couldn’t think of a better cause during these tough times! Thank you Rose Cofield for organizing us!

The gallery gals from (left) Murray Sease, Rose Cofield, and at (right), Lauren Terrent presenting $400 to Kim Hall, Executive Director of Bluffton Self Help. You may not be able to tell but we are smiling behind those masks and social distancing all around! Our guys (not pictured) also participating are Don Nagel, Bill Winn, Wally Palmer and Kevin Palmer.

For further info visit (lapetitegallerie.com).

The Society of Bluffton Artists Gallery to Reopen in Bluffton, SC

The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) gallery in Old Town Bluffton, SC, has reopened. The gallery and the Center for Creative Arts has been closed since March due to coronavirus restrictions.

A virtual tour of the gallery, showcasing the latest art on exhibit, will take place 11am May 28 from SOBA’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/sobabluffton/.

“Because of our current situation with the virus we are adopting the recommendations of the Hilton Head/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce,” said Linda Hilts, a SOBA board member. “And we have put in place some additional guidelines that staffers will have to abide by to keep everyone safe.”

The gallery will operate with limited hours — from 11am-3pm, Thursday-Saturday with a limit of six people at a time in the gallery. In keeping with the social distancing best practices, visitors are asked to stay six feet apart. Volunteer staffers will be wearing masks, gloves and washing their hands frequently. Other precautionary measures will include daily cleaning and sanitizing of the gallery’s high frequency touch points.

The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) is a non-profit organization established to promote a stimulating community environment for the visual arts and to assist area students and artists in enhancing their artistic abilities. SoBA is the heart of the flourishing art hub in Old Town Bluffton, located at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets. SOBA offers regular art classes, featured artist shows, exhibitions, outreach art programs, scholarships and more.

For more information, visit (sobagallery.com) for a complete calendar of events or call 843/757-6586.

The Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, Announces Winners of the “26th Annual Judged Show”

Nearly 100 local artists entered in Society of Bluffton Artists’ (SoBA) “26th Annual Judged Show”, but only 15 walked away with awards last week. The exhibit runs through April 6, 2020.

Joanne Talbot received top honors for “At the Table,” a watercolor painting that received “Best In Show.” First place winners included: Joanne Talbot in watercolor; Ron Selby in photography; John Meckley in oil; Sheila Garbasky in acrylic; Audrey Alkind in mixed media; and Mary Burrell in the “other” category. Other winners included:

Watercolor: Lorraine Mullaney, second place; Barbara Pecce, third place

Photography: Lindsay Pettinicchi, second place; Bill Bogle, third place

Oil: Tricia Gardner, second place; Murray Sease, third place

Acrylic: Julie Harden, second place

Mixed Media: Donna Varner, second place; Eileen Mazur, third place

The winning pieces can be found at (www.sobagallery.com).

Barbara Pecce, right, reacts to Mark Boedges at learning her painting placed third in the watercolor category during SOBA’s “26th Annual Judged Show”. Boedges was the judge for this year’s show.

Mary Burrell poses with her first place-winning piece called “Olaf” in the other category during SOBA’s “26th Annual Judged Show”.

The Society of Bluffton Artists (SoBA) is the heart of the flourishing art hub in Old Town Bluffton’s historic district at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets. As a non-profit art organization, SoBA offers regular art classes, featured artist shows, exhibitions, scholarships, outreach programs and more.

Visit (www.sobagallery.com) for a complete calendar of events and other information or call 843/757-6586.

Bluffton Arts District in Bluffton, SC, Offers the Fifth Annual Paint Out – Apr. 24 – 26, 2020

Bluffton Arts District announces our fifth annual paint out event! Our artistic, eccentric river town invites plein air painters to join us April 24 through April 26 2020. Come for the weekend and experience a picturesque small southern town on the May River, Bluffton, SC, that supports the arts throughout town both publicly and privately. Paint on the riverside, under the oaks, or amongst the azaleas all in view of historic homes.

Coordinated Events: Opening reception and welcoming party for guest painters (Friday 3-5), then on to our scheduled public art walk including all the galleries and shops in the arts district. Closing awards and sales with picnic lunches available, event is open to the public.

Format: Open
Judge: Dee Beard Dean, SC Plein Air Society
Award total: approximately $800.00
Contact: Charlene Gardner
E-mail: (fourcornersbluffton@gmail.com)
Phone: 843-757-8185
Website: (www.blufftonartsdistrict.com)

Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, Calls for Entries for its 26th Annual Judged Show – Deadline March 2, 2020

Lowcountry artists are invited to submit their works of art for The Society of Bluffton Artists’ (SOBA) 26th Annual Judged Show, which takes place in Bluffton, SC.

Winners will be awarded first, second and third place cash awards in the following categories: acrylic, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, watercolor or 3D. To be eligible for an award, each category must have a minimum of seven pieces on display.

Registration is required by completing a registration form available at the gallery, located at 6 Church Street in Old Town Bluffton or by registering online at (http://bit.ly/SOBAJudgedShow).

The cost to register is $25 for SOBA members and $45 for non SOBA members. The deadline for entries is from 9 to 11am, Monday, March 2, 2020, at the Center for Creative Arts, located next door to the SOBA gallery at 8 Church Street in Bluffton, SC. No entries will be accepted after 11am.

The Judged Show exhibit will be on display from March 2-April 6, 2020, at the SOBA gallery. An awards ceremony will take place from 5-7pm,Wednesday, March 4. These events are free to attend and open to the public. Artists can pick up their art from 9-11am, April 6 at the SOBA gallery.

The judge for the show is Mark Boedges. Boedges has amassed numerous awards and shown his work in many galleries. Boedges leads plein air workshops and is a well-known judge for shows throughout the country. His studio is located in Charlotte, VT.

After graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in philosophy, Boedges pursued his passion for painting — particularly plein art, which would remain his focus for several years. Eventually, Boedges went back to school to study fine art at the University of Colorado, but he left the program after two years to study exclusively from nature. Among the many accolades, Boedges received the Grand Prize for Landscape and a spot on the cover of International Artist magazine. He recently received the Joseph Hartley Memorial award at the prestigious Salmagundi Club in New York City, Best in Show at the American Impressionist Society’s National Exhibition and Best in Show at the Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art.

The Society of Bluffton Artists is the heart of the flourishing art hub in Old Town Bluffton’s historic district at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets. As a non-profit art organization, SoBA offers regular art classes, featured artist shows, exhibitions, scholarships, outreach programs and more.

Please visit (www.sobagallery.com) for a complete calendar of events and other information or call 843/757-6586.

The Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, is Searching for Local Artists to Join the Group

The art district in Bluffton, SC, is growing, but where do local artists go to network, to exhibit or to sell their works?

The founding members of The Society of Bluffton Artists (SoBA) had this in mind when they started the non-profit organization in 1991. Today, SoBA is a thriving community with an eclectic art gallery and Center for Creative Arts instructional studio in Old Town Bluffton.

The group’s organizers are ramping up their membership drive in search of new local artists — from painting and collage to print making and sculpture.

“Members are the lifeblood of SoBA,” said Bill Bogle, SoBA president and a local photographer. “Membership provides 11 display opportunities for the year, discounts on the annual Judged Show, consideration for our Featured Artist exhibition, workshops led by renowned art instructors and camaraderie with other artists.”

There are three levels of membership:

Starting Membership is $75 and includes discounted rental fees of the Center for Creative Arts for private events, invitation to artist member networking events, discounted classes and workshops, as well as promotional opportunities on the SoBA website and newsletter.

Exhibiting Membership starts at $200 and includes the starting membership. This level of membership offers artists the opportunity to display and to sell their artwork at the SoBA gallery.

The Friends of SoBA donor membership offers three levels of giving that range from $125-$500 and includes all of the benefits of the starting membership. Contributions are 100% tax-deductible will help support SoBA.

Membership is open in all visual art categories: painting, collage, photography, print making, jewelry design, sculpture and more. The jewelry membership categories are filled, but those interested can be added to a wait list.

“Running a Gallery is a business and our members help in this endeavor by taking advantage of the many volunteer opportunities, including staffing the gallery, where they greet visitors and promote member art,” said Bogle.

For more information about SoBA membership, visit (https://sobagallery.com/memberships/) or contact Mary Burrell, SoBA’s chairwoman of the membership committee, by e-mail at (maryellenburrell@aol.com).

The Society of Bluffton Artists (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. SoBA is the flourishing art hub in Bluffton’s historic District at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets. SoBA offers regular art classes, featured artist shows and exhibitions. Please visit (www.sobagallery.com) for a complete calendar of events and other information or call 843/757-6586.

The Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, Unveils Winners of “25th Annual Judged Show”, on View Through Mar. 31, 2019

About 100 local artists entered in Society of Bluffton Artists’ (SoBA) “25th Annual Judged Show”, but only 16 walked away with awards this week.

Mary Ann Ford received top honors for “Oyster Shell In Grey,” which received “Best In Show.” First place winners included: Catherine Hester in oil; Julie Jones in acrylic; Joan McKeever in mixed medium; Donna Cole in watercolor; and Steve Edelstein in photography.

Other winners included:
• Oil: John Kenney, second; Sandy Rhodesl, third
• Acrylic: Bill Winn, second; Mary Tredwell, third
• Mixed Medium: Missy Gentile, second; Cynthia Zeiss, third
• Watercolor: Joanne Talbot, second; Brenda Fallon, third
• Photography: Jim Wilson, second; Clyde Lohere, third

The winning pieces can be found at (www.sobagallery.com).

The Society of Bluffton Artists is the heart of the flourishing art hub in Old Town Bluffton’s historic district at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets. As a non-profit art organization, SoBA offers regular art classes, featured artist shows, exhibitions, scholarships, outreach programs and more. Please visit (www.sobagallery.com) for a complete calendar of events and other information or call 843/757-6586.

The Society of Bluffton Artists in Bluffton, SC, Calls For Entries for Annual Judged Show – Deadline Mar. 4, 2019

The deadline for entries for the Society of Bluffton Artists’ 25th Annual Judged Show is from 9-11am, Monday, March 4, 2019. The exhibit runs from March 5-31 with a reception and awards ceremony held from 5-7pm, Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

There is still time left for Lowcountry artists to submit their works of art for The Society of Bluffton Artists’ (SoBA) 25th Annual Judged Show.

Pre-registration is required by stopping by the gallery, located at 6 Church Street in Old Town Bluffton or by registering online at (http://bit.ly/SoBAJudgedShow2019). The cost to register is $25 for SoBA members and $45 for non SoBA members.

Deliver registered art Monday, March 4 at the Center for Creative Arts, located next door to the SoBA gallery at 8 Church Street. Label information for the artwork will be e-mailed after registration and the fee are received. No entries will be accepted after 11am.

To be eligible for an award, a minimum of 7 pieces of art must be displayed in any one category. The categories are acrylic, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, watercolor or 3D. Winners will be awarded first, second and third place cash awards. A full list of rules are available online at (http://bit.ly/SoBAJudgedShow2019).

The judge for this year’s show is internationally renowned watercolorist Judi Betts. Her paintings have appeared on national television, wine labels, CDs and DVDs, and in more than 35 books. She has served as juror or judge for more than 150 regional, national and international competitions. In 2009, Betts was on the awards jury for the American Watercolor Society’s 142nd International Competition. Additionally, she had presented more than 425 workshops, as well as invitational sessions for watercolor societies in Norway, Puerto Rico, Sweden and Canada. Betts is a signature member of the American and National Watercolor Societies, members of both the National and Salmagundi Art Clubs in New York City, and she’s listed in “Who’s Who in American Art.” Betts’ paintings are included in corporate, university, museum and private collections.

The Society of Bluffton Artists is the heart of the flourishing art hub in Old Town Bluffton’s historic district at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets. As a non-profit art organization, SoBA offers regular art classes, featured artist shows, exhibitions, scholarships, outreach programs and more. Please visit (www.sobagallery.com) for a complete calendar of events and other information or call 843/757-6586.

Bluffton Arts District in Bluffton, SC, Presents 2019 Annual Bluffton Old Town Paint Out – Apr. 27, 2019

Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 10am-4pm, artists are invited to break out their paintbrushes and sun hats for this fun plein air painting event taking place in beautiful Bluffton, SC, in the South Carolina Lowcountry. The entry fee is $20 in advance and $25 walk up. Registration forms are available at any of the old town art galleries and on-line at (www.sobagallery.com). Register in person at Four Corners Framing, 1263-B May River Road with cash or check, or online with credit card at (www.sobagallery.com). Artists, check in at the event tent on the corner of Calhoun and Lawrence Streets between 10am and 1pm and then off to paint at one of the picturesque settings in old town Bluffton. Artists and visitors are invited to gather at the event tent at 4pm for judging, viewing and awards – cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.

This event is just part of the Spring Fling Arts Weekend Celebration in Old Town Bluffton beginning with the Spring Art Walk 4-7pm Friday, April 26. The Plein Air Paint Out on Saturday, and Art of Cuisine Stroll & Savor event on Sunday April 28, 2019.

For more information please visit the Bluffton Arts District facebook page, (www.sobagallery.com) or call 843/757-8185.

Society of Bluffton Artists’ in Bluffton, SC, Presents Art of the Martini Fundraiser on February 16, 2019

The Society of Bluffton Artists (SoBA) non-profit art organization will present its first big fundraiser of 2019 with Art of the Martini from 5-7pm, on February 16 at Oscar Frazier Community Center in Bluffton, SC.

The fun-filled evening will include live entertainment, two complimentary martinis for each person (from which there will be six variety to choose), hors d’oeuvres from The Cottage and unique offerings for a silent auction. Each guest will take home a complimentary, hand-painted martini glass to remember the evening.

Tickets are $45 and help support SoBA’s outreach art programs, art workshops and operating expenses that support the community. Tickets are available for sale online at sobagallery.com or at the gallery located in Old Town Bluffton.

SoBA members are asked to purchase two tickets and to sell two tickets — which can be picked up from the gallery on Friday, December 21. Volunteers are needed to set up and break down the event, bartend with premixed martinis, food and greeting. Additionally, to make the silent auction a success, event coordinators need 25 unique pieces of art in the following categories: art to wear such as jewelry, stoneware, wood, sculpture, up-cycled furniture, photography and paintings.

Volunteers are needed to help with this event and artists needed to donate for silent auction.

If you are interested in submitting art, please send a photograph of the items you wish to donate by e-mailing to (hawleycollection@aol.com) or (gayle.miller@sobagallery.com).

“Help us to make this an event to remember and thank you in advance for supporting SoBA!” said Hawley.

The Society of Bluffton Artists (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. SoBA is the flourishing art hub in Bluffton’s historic District at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets. SoBA offers regular art classes, featured artist shows and exhibitions.

Please visit (www.sobagallery.com) for a complete calendar of events and other information or call 843/757-6586.