In a time when keyboard and mouse are replacing brush and pencil to create art, it is refreshing and encouraging to know that a local group of artists is volunteering to keep the hands-on arts alive.
The Seacoast Artists Guild of South Carolina was established by a group of artists interested in sharing their love of the arts with others in the coastal area. According to their current president, Woody Bower, what started out in 2003 as 12 artists with a vision has grown to more than 300 members dedicated to advancing excellence in the visual arts through teaching, exhibits, workshops and special events.
In April 2013, the Seacoast Artists Gallery was opened at The Market Common just across from Valor Park. The gallery hosts works of art from more than 75 local member artists who pay a small fee to display their talents. The guild is non-profit and the gallery is staffed entirely by volunteers. From January through September they celebrate First Fridays from 5–7 p.m. with music, artist demonstrations, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. In the back of the gallery is a classroom setting where workshops and seminars are held on a regular basis to develop and nurture would-be and aspiring artists.
The Fall Members Show and Sale will be held October 2–18 and will showcase the finest works of all its members. Winners of the four categories—photo, 2D, fabric art and 3D—will be announced on October 4 with an awards reception from 6–8 p.m. On display will be everything from abstract oil paintings to charcoal realism with waterfowl photography and metal sculptures in between. It’s great art at great prices and all proceeds go toward furthering the education, development and training of future artists. Toward that end, the guild created the Cushman Youth Art Scholarship, which is given to two local high school seniors who are continuing their education as art majors in college.
Annual dues are $25 and not all members are artists. As Bowers says, “It’s a good opportunity for people to explore painting and art as a hobby or even as a second career.”
Seacoast Artists Gallery
The Market Common
3032 Nevers St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
www.seacoastartistguild.com
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
