The exhibit will take place April 1-28 and the reception is from 5-7 p.m. April 9

Marianne Stillwagon is the featured artist for April at The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) gallery in Old Town Bluffton. Her exhibit will run from April 1-28 with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. April 9. These events are free and open to the public.

Stillwagon’s upcoming show uses a variety of acrylic paints with the main focus on bold colors that create an emotional response from the viewer. 

“Since moving to South Carolina in 2015, I have been inspired to paint the colors of the LowCountry – in both realistic as well as abstract modes,” she said.

Stillwagon is originally from South River, New Jersey. She has a bachelor’s degree in design, and she has worked as a freelance graphic designer for many years before pursuing her “first love” of painting. She has participated in numerous retail and trade fine art shows since 1976. Stillwagon’s artwork has been sold in galleries and shops throughout the U.S. Additionally, she is an exhibiting member of the New Hampshire Art Association,National Association of Women Artists,  the Monadnock Area Art Association and SOBA. 

For more information, visit http://mstillwagon.faso.com/.

The Pearl Gala will take place 5-9 p.m. April 13th at the Berkeley Hall Club

The community is invited to attend The Society of Bluffton Artists’ Pearl Gala — celebrating 30 years of art in Bluffton — from 5-9 p.m. April 13 at the Berkeley Hall Club in Bluffton. 

The evening will include cocktail hour on the patio overlooking the beautiful grounds and then dinner and drinks, entertainment by a jazz duo and a brief slideshow of SOBA’s 30-year history. Attendees are also invited to participate in the silent auction of Wearable Art hand painted and modeled by SOBA artists.

“This is not a fundraiser, it’s a celebration,” said Marie Burgeson, SOBA’s president. “We’re  offering something to the community for their enjoyment,  and at the same time helping them understand and appreciate what our organization offers.”

SOBA was established to promote a stimulating community environment for the visual arts and to assist area students and artists in enhancing their artistic abilities. SOBA was founded in the spring of 1994 by seven local artists, who had the idea of creating an organization where all levels of art skills are welcome, and to provide a place where their art can be beautifully exhibited for purchase.

Thirty years later, the non-profit 501c-3 organization has flourished with almost 200 members, who enjoy art classes, workshops, and demonstrations throughout the year by prominent artists. The SOBA gallery gives a home for experienced artists to exhibit their work, as well as for young artists who get to experience what it’s like to exhibit in a professional gallery and the thrill of selling their art. Over the years, SOBA has provided art programs at the Boys & Girls Club, sponsored trips to art museums throughout the state, funded scholarships to local college students pursuing art degrees and more.

SOBA’s Annual High School Art Show

Monday,  February 5th, through Sunday, March the 3rd. 

Reception Sunday February 11th,  3-5 pm.  Open to the public.

https://sobagallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/youth-art-exhibit-with-music.mp4

Young Talent Art Show 

The Society of Bluffton Artists will feature gifted young artists of high school age in their annual Young Talent Art Show at the SOBA Gallery from Monday,  February 5th, through Sunday, March the 3rd.  A reception will be held at the gallery on Sunday February 11th, from 3-5 pm. The SOBA Gallery is located on the corner of Church Street and Calhoun St. in Old Town Bluffton.  

This year, three schools are participating in the young talent art exhibit: Cross Schools, Bluffton High School, and May River High School.  The talent and variety of artwork is always amazing.  The art show gives students a chance for public recognition for their talents and achievements. Gifted young artists involved in their schools’ arts programs often go on to pursue careers in art, design, or photography.

SOBA does not charge a commission from the sales of the student work; it is our gift to nurture young talent. 

The student art show will run Feb. 5-March 3 with an opening reception from 3-5 p.m. Feb. 11

The Society of Bluffton Artists will feature the artwork of local students in their annual high school art show, slated for Feb. 5-March 3. An opening reception will take place from 3-5 p.m. Feb. 11 at the SOBA gallery, located at 6 Church Street in Old Town Bluffton.

“I like being able to display my work so that more than my peers and parents can see what I do,” said Katherine Donahue, a junior AP May River High School student whose work will exhibit at SOBA.

This year, three schools are participating in the student art exhibit: Bluffton High School, May River High School and Cross School. High school students involved in their schools’ arts programs often go on to pursue careers in art, design or photography.

“SOBA’s mission is to provide art education and art appreciation to the local community,” said Lynn Newsom, SOBA event organizer. “With this annual high school art show, we’re able to give students an opportunity for public recognition for their talents and achievements, the same that is given to student athletes, science projects and music concerts.”

John Cullinen, Arts Teacher at Cross Upper School, said Cross School has a growing arts program including photography, digital and traditional art. This year, five students will exhibit their works in digital photography, digital painting and digital mixed media.

“We are excited to participate again this year and appreciate the opportunity to showcase our work in the community,” Cullinen said. 

Five students from Bluffton High School’s art program will exhibit works that include media arts, photography, acrylic and clay. 

May River High School’s visual art department strives to develop a strong foundation in art and design within each student while giving them the opportunity to refine skills as they develop their voices as young artists, said Beth Schlieger, Visual Art Department Chair.

“From utilitarian to aesthetic, students have created works for the SOBA Art Show that both reflect who they are while responding to the intended audience,” she said.

SOBA does not charge a commission from the sales of the student work; it is our gift to nurture young talent. 

The SOBA Featured Artist Exhibit Will Run Jan. 2-28 with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 11

Missy Gentile typically begins her abstract painting classes with a quote from the artist Helen Frankenthaler: “One of the first rules is no rules.” She will apply this same philosophy with her upcoming featured artist exhibit in January at The Society of Bluffton Artists gallery in Old Town Bluffton.

The exhibit will run Jan. 2-28 with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 11 at The SOBA gallery on Church Street. These events are free and open to the public.

“Action Painting” will feature several pieces of her abstract works that convey strong emotional or expressive content, breaking away from traditional processes. Gentile draws inspiration from her life experiences and her core values of service and human connection.  

“My art reflects my vision of no boundaries,” Gentile said. “What the eye sees is what it is — How it moves you is most important.”

Much of her inspiration comes from her time living in Paris, France. She later settled in Houston, Texas for the next 20 years, dedicating her life to art and serving others. Missy created her first studio and art gallery. She volunteered in hospitals with cancer patients and for AIDS patients at the Omega House, where she facilitated connections and emotional care through sharing the creative art experience. Additionally, Missy taught in the school system. 

Missy’s paintings are in collections internationally. In 2002, Art Business News featured her works inspired after 9/11. Her paintings also have appeared on the cover of PINK Magazine with a piece called “Feeling Her Power.” Missy continues to exhibit her work locally and teaches Abstract Painting at The SOBA Art School, and private classes in her studio.

Holiday Market
November 12 – December 23

Unique handcrafted gifts and decor for sale
from Nov. 13-Dec. 23 at the SOBA Art Gallery
Artists of the Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) are creating original, one-of-a-kind handmade gifts for their Holiday Market, which runs from Nov. 13 through Dec. 23 in the featured artist room at the gallery in Old Town Bluffton.
The SOBA Holiday Market offers the community a unique place to shop for the holidays with hundreds of hand-created works by local artists — including wreaths, small paintings, holiday decor and other gift items.
“The Holiday Market is a SOBA wintertime tradition — perfect for those shoppers looking for something unique this holiday season,” said Marie Burgeson, SOBA’s president.
The boutique is open from Nov. 13-Dec. 23. The SOBA gallery hours of operation are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays.

SOBA Large Art Exhibit

October 29th – November 11th

2 Weeks Only – Extra Large Sized Art

Looking for a special painting or Fine Art Photograph for that empty space?

We have it – artwork larger than 36” by 40” created for you by your favorite local Lowcountry artists.

Hours:

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Sat
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun

The Society of Bluffton Artists
has so many fun events for the Fall.

Visit us in Old Town Bluffton in the middle of the Art District.

POP UP ART on the street, on gallery porches, and in Martin Park –
temporary art displays join the many galleries to highlight the artistic and cultural side of Bluffton.

A celebration of exceptional handmade, original local art including oil and acrylic paintings, pottery and much, much more.

Monday October 2, 2023 – Sunday October 29, 2023

Opening Reception, meet the artist October 3rd at the gallery from 5-7pm
Event open to the public

“Painting is an intuitive process for me. Color and form appear and take shape as the process unfolds. Being unafraid of the messy middle allows the painting to take on a life of its  own, living on in the canvas, telling the story again in new ways to its viewers.” 

“My inspiration is to make the world a happier place by adding color and forms that shape nature’s beauty, and making thought provoking pieces to wake up the senses and dust off the dread and negativity in the world and the freedom to play with paint!”

My  Techniques

I start with acrylic paints and just keep layering by using many different tools to apply the paint. I have been known to grab oil pastels, pencils, hardware tools, water bottles, string, scrapers, pretty much anything that makes an interesting mark, to get the painting to make the statement I am trying to convey.

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I am inspired by the magic moments that happen in nature, with the movement of applied paint, when we don’t even notice until we step back and really look, allowing ourselves to understand the seen and unseen. Those are the moments that sparkle with enchantment; when we stop and see what is in front of us. I explore the journey of the environment around me that I call home and the magic that a place or time brings- a recognition of beauty amidst chaos. The shared moments with people and places I love that define my life’s experience. My goal is to enjoy the journey and bring that joy onto the canvas. To be patient and build upon the layers. The surface telling one story and the layers bringing in the history of the place and feelings they emit.

If I can bring joy to a canvas and have someone experience their own sense of joy, playfulness or whatever is going on with them at that moment, I have captured the moment and got the viewer to feel something inside. To see within while looking without. It’s an internal journey, once explored will forever change you.

Sometimes we look, but it takes time for us to see. I like to challenge my viewer to feel something deep inside themselves each time they look at the piece. By capturing moments of beauty through art, my goal is to bring joy into every space through expressive abstraction.

Painting is an intuitive process for me. Color and form appear and take shape as the process unfolds. My work takes on a history and story that is told and shared through the many layers of paint and marks made. Being unafraid of the “Messy Middle’ allows my paintings to take on a life of their own. Each piece reflects my mood and the feeling I wanted to express at the time; living on the canvas and telling a different story, a very personal story to those who spend time with each work.

Many of the pieces in the series are influenced by my walks through beautiful country roads with dear friends. I hope to reflect the love of friendship, the bonds of shared roots and the beauty of nature.

You can also find my work by following me on Instagram; @MargiSmithArtWorks or going to my website; https://www.MargiSmithArtWorks.com

Margi has a minor in studio art from Skidmore College, attended Squam Art Workshops and online classes to find her creative tribe. She has a studio in Topsfield, MA and in Bluffton, SC.  Margi has been an exhibiting member of SOBA Gallery in Bluffton since 2021  where she currently shows and sells her work.