Are you interested in renewing or becoming a member of The Society of Bluffton Artists?
We are a cooperative gallery that is operated and staffed by local member artists. We change our gallery exhibit every single month. The art that has not sold is removed and a completely new show is installed. The Society of Bluffton Artists welcomes everyone to become a member! You can join us even if you are not an artist with our supporting membership. Artists may consider one of our exhibiting memberships. We look forward to meeting and nurturing new members!
Benefits of a SOBA membership:
- Display your artwork to sell in Bluffton SC's most eclectic art gallery
- Become a Featured Artist and exhibit your artwork in an exhibit promoted by a professional marketing agency
- Receive a listing in our member artist directory
- Hone your skills with classes taught by award-winning instructors
- Get early access to special events, programs and more
- Join the fun and camaraderie of our creative community
Membership Options
Exhibiting Membership
We welcome most mediums to our gallery! Some of the mediums that our artists submit are oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, pencil, collage, and mixed media. We do offer a limited number of photography memberships on a first come, first served basis.
Membership runs from September 1st-August 31st. If you register in July or August, SOBA gives you those two months free and your membership is good through August 31st of the following year. If you register any other time of the year, it will be necessary to RE-REGISTER by August 31st to continue your membership uninterrupted.
PLEASE BE SURE TO REVIEW OUR DISPLAY GUIDELINES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WILL BE ACCEPTED ON CHANGE OF SHOW DAY.
To ensure that our exhibits are always professional, every artist must adhere to framing requirements as well as size limitations.
3-D Memberships may include, but are not limited to; jewelry, ceramics, pottery, stained glass, woodworking. We do not accept fiber arts.
3-D Memberships are conditional to a yearly jurying process for both existing memberships and new memberships.
3-D Applications may be made any time during the membership year; September 1 – August 31
In the event that display space becomes available, 3-D membership may be reviewed and juried in during the membership year
If the maximum number of 3-D artist memberships are currently filled then applicants are put on a waitlist and a Review and Jurying process is conducted in August, prior to the next membership year by the Board of Directors
Please contact our Membership Director, Jane Capraro for further information on becoming an exhibiting 3-D Artist
Exhibiting Memberships
Exhibiting Member Plus: $100 - Exhibit in monthly shows, plus staff at least two 1/2 day shifts per show that you have registered artwork. May be called upon for an additional shift(s) when needed.
Exhibiting Member: $150 - Exhibit in monthly shows and staff one 1/2-day shift per show that you have registered artwork.
Non-Staffing Member is no longer being offered. The Board will review only “extraordinary” exception
requests on a case-by-case basis.
Required to staff the gallery 1/2 day per month during the months that you exhibit
Receive 65% of your gallery sales, SOBA receives 35%
Enjoy discounted workshops and classes
Participate in special boutiques, pop-up shows, member events, and fundraisers
Supporting Membership
Supporting Member $75. Receive discounted art classes only. Not permitted to exhibit artwork for sale.
Don't want to register online?
Stop by The SOBA Gallery on Church Street in Old Town Bluffton to fill out a membership application in person.
Classes & Workshops
Frequently Asked Questions
If you would like to become a SUPPORTING MEMBER, your donation of $75 will put you on our email list and will entitle you to participate in special events like our Holiday Boutique. It will also entitle you to participate in workshops and classes at a reduced rate.
If you would like to become an EXHIBITING MEMBER, you will need to decide if you can help staff the gallery each month. Staffing members pay a reduced fee and they must work one half day each month at the gallery. Non-staffing members pay the full membership fee and are not required to staff the gallery.
Read our SOBA 101 Membership Guide for more information.
For additional information, read SOBA’s membership guidelines.
If you are invited to become a featured artists, you are given cart blanche to develop a body of work and hang your private show in our featured artist room inside the gallery. Your show will exhibit for a month and you should plan to have back up work reserved to add to the show when one of your pieces sells. The first weekend that your show is open, you are invited to have a reception at the gallery. SOBA members will attend as well as your friends and family. SOBA will assist you in sourcing print media and other advertising to promote your show. You will be featured on our website and social media pages before and during your show.
No, Membership runs from September 1st-August 31st. If you register in July or August, SOBA gives you those two months free. So, your membership will be good until August 31st of the following year. If you become a member at any other time of the year, your membership ends on August 31st unless you re-register and pay for the following year.
