Submitted
Resilience is an unmistakable things among the cultural arts artists and performers, and those who appreciate the arts, in Hilton Head and Bluffton. Happily, the arts are returning to the greater Lowcountry returned to a degree that seemed impossible just a few months ago. Here are some upcoming events worth celebrating.
The continuing arts
ARTS CENTER OF COASTAL CAROLINA
This marks the 26-year history of partnership between the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and the Gullah community. To celebrate that event the two have joined together in presenting a broad series of events for the community. Plan to join in the celebration with Gullah entertainment, special food offerings and especially the art of the rich Gullah culture.
for those interested in the history and culture of the Gullah people, generally, and art lovers of Gullah arts, specifically, the prized annual exhibit inside the Walter Greer Gallery is where you can take in the annual exhibit, and sale of the astounding ‘The Aarts Ob We People.’ Inside you’ll also find displays of original work by famed artist Amiri Farris as he presents the life of Gullah people in the Lowcountry and beyond. Included on the gallery walls and pedestals are additional art works by other Gullah artists and members of the Art League of Hilton Head.
Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head, South Carolina, For Information call 843 686 3945 or [email protected]
GULLAH MARKET
Arts, crafts, music and food on Saturday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island, S.C.
CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AUTHORS
Featuring Bakari Sellers, Saturday, Feb. 26, 12-3 p.m., Rotary Community Center, 11 Recreation Court, Bluffton, S.C., 29910
MAYE RIVER GALLERY
Unimaginable, the Maye River Gallery was sold recently. Happily, I must share with you that those amazing women at Maye River Gallery have found a new location and will move just up the road to a new development, The Bridge at Calhoun. I remember writing a piece about the gallery and the artists, the Maye River Gals, when they opened in 2007. These artistically talented and gracious women had an impressive goal … they wanted to focus on fine arts and fine crafts, to aid and assist their neighbors in the Bluffton community and all the while, to pursue their creative aspirations, personally as the women artists in the community they call home.
In the meantime, do look forward to a “floor to ceiling” art sale through the month of February! It will be spectacular! For Information, contact The Maye River Gallery, 37 Calhoun S., Bluffton, S.C., phone 843 757 2633.
JCOSTELLO GALLERY
JCostello Gallery has welcomed two phenomenal artists to exhibit their stunning works.
Dana Montlack has engaged in a decade-long exploration of natural elements, with a more recent focus on microscopic and oceanic imagery. She actually presents work that blurs the imagined borders between the perceived physical entity and its more mysterious underlying realty.
She holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in sculpture from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a master’s of fine arts in mixed media from the Otis Parsons College of Art and Design, Los Angeles. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums nationwide, and her works are featured in public and private collections throughout the country.
David Leas installation, now in place, “Elemental Experience of Change”, will capture your imagination, as it did at an opening reception. His work is artistically in place on the JCostello Gallery walls.
JCostello Gallery, Redfish 8 Archer Road, Hilton Head, S.C., phone 843 686 6550.
RED PIANO GALLERY
There is an expanded list of artists, new and familiar, who are exhibiting at The Red Piano Gallery. Look forward to a close up look at the impressive work of several who have been recently featured.
Particularly Noteworthy is the new work of Michael B. Karas, Christy Kinard, Sonja Griffin Evans, Joseph Orr, Betty Anglin Smith and a Jonathan Green book.
FOUR CORNERS FINE ART AND FRAMING
Charlene Gardner invites you to the gallery’s Local Ladies Show which opens on Thursday, Feb. 24 and runs through Tuesday, March 8 … and to a reception at the gallery from 5-8 p.m.
The Gallery associates, the Local Ladies, will be there that evening to meet guests and to talk about their art.
There are works in a variety of mediums created by Sally Hickman, Leslie Dyas, Fran Kaminsky, Susie Chisholm, Ronda Yono, Nancy Dwight, Nancy Waterhouse, Karen Dale, Marge Agin, Holly Bjorkstrom, Barbara Tedford, Martha Worthy and Pam Brickell Johnson.
Four Corners Framing and Art Gallery, 1263 May River Road, Bluffton, S.C. For information: [email protected] or 843 757 8185
BLUFFTON HIGH ARTISTS OF SOBA
The Society of Bluffton Artists will showcase the talents of some of the community’s young artists during February when it hosts “Young Talent” at SOBA’s Old Town Bluffton Gallery. The exhibit runs through Feb. 26 and features varied media from the area’s most promising young artists.
The gallery is located in Old Town Bluffton at the corner of Church and Calhoun Streets. Visit www.sobagallery.com or call 843-757-6586
SOBA GALLERY
SOBA 28th Annual Judged Show features 100 selections from among all entries in six categories.
Call for entries deadline is March 1. An awards ceremony will be held March 9, 5-7 p.m. SOBA Gallery, 6 Church St., Old Town Bluffton, S.C. Information sobagallery.com or 843 757 3776.
CONTINUING ART
— Art Beyond Tradition: Interpretations — an exhibit of abstract works by 12 local artists. Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head.
— An exhibit of abstract art, Rose Cofield, featured artist, an exhibit of mixed media and abstract art, La Petite Gallerie, 56 Calhoun St., Bluffton, S.C., Information lapetitegallerie.com.
The performing arts
ARTS CENTER OF COASTAL CAROLINA
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: This award winning play … a play within a play, based on the book by Mark Haddon’s, best selling novel, is the most compelling theater experience imaginable. It is not simply the storyline, which moves in any direction but straight away, and in a triumph of understatement, is certainly not predictable, and further is brilliantly complex. Curious Incident moves by turns from grippingly sad to riotous. And, it is live and on our stage at the Arts Center.
The demanding direction is by Whitaker Gannon, and the cast of fascinatingly convoluted characters support the ideations of Mariah Boone as the imaginative, ingenious, inspired Christopher Boone.
This is a unique, stunning and thoughtful work, and we on Hilton Head are so fortunate that those involved focused themselves in such a way that this remarkable script, cast and behind the curtain support, stepped up so willingly to accept the phenomenal challenges of this cutting edge, edgy and completely stunning live stage production.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night runs through Feb. 22, 2022, at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, S.C., phone 843 842 2787, [email protected]
MAY RIVER THEATRE
Steel Magnolias: A delightful comedy, directed by Liz McGinnis, treats us all to a close-up look at the Southern women who gather at beauty shops to visit with friends as they see to having their hairdo firmly put in place, enjoy the current gossip, and possibly sipping a little refreshment. But clearly this production is far more than that!
This is the 20th anniversary season of the May River Theatre, and many will remember that the Theatre was founded by Ed and Jodie Dupuis in 2002. Particularly important to realize, is that Steel Magnolias was produced during that first season. All involved honor the memory of the founders with this production.
Performances are at 7:30 pm Feb. 25-26 and March 4-5 and 2 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 6. Tickets are $25 and are available online at mayrivertheatre.com or by calling 843 815 5581.
MAIN STAGE COMMUNITY THEATRE
Legally Blond Jr., The Musical: A perfect musical version of the famous and popular film “Legally Blond!” The musical is staged at the Main Stage Community Theatre with performances March 4-6. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $15 for students, $5 for young people under 8. For information, msctheatre.org or 843 689 6246. Hilton Head Prep’s Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main St., Hilton Head Island.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change: A hilariously popular musical comedy with music by Joe Dipietro, composer Jimmy Roberts, and music direction by Josh Wall. Performing are Mark Erickson, Jenna Shaffer, Debbie Cort and Daniel Cort.
The shows are 7:30 p.m. March 11-12 at Coligny Theatre and March 13 3:00 p.m. matinee and 7:30 p.m. at Bluffton School of Dance. There will be a dinner show package as well as show only. All proceeds will support funding for the Live Oak Performing Arts Center. For Information: MSCTheatre.org or 843 689 6246.
LEAN ENSEMBLE
Doubt: The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner by John Patrick Shanley and directed by Nakeilsha Daniel. Features Jennifer Brown, Jonathan Dyrud, Katherine LeRoy and Peggy Trecker White.
A rigidly conservative nun tasks herself with investigating allegations of misconduct between a beloved and progressive parish priest and one of the students in his care. John Patrick Shanley delves into the murky shadows of moral certainty, always balancing the thin line between truth and consequences. Doubt is an exquisite, potent drama that will raise questions and answer none, leaving the rest of us to grapple with the discomfort of uncertainties.
One weekend only, March 24–27, HHPS Main Street Theatre. For ticket options, Visit www.leanensemble.org or call at 843 715 6676.
HHI INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
— March 7–14, featuring pianists ages 18-30. Tickets are on sale at hhipc.org or by calling the box office at 843 842 2055.
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