6th generation painter William Rhett IV hosts 1st art show
By Bob Sofaly
The Island News
The First Friday event on September 1 was more than just a business event on Bay Street. It also showcased William Rhett IV’s first art exhibit in his family’s gallery, The Rhett Gallery. William was there with his parents, William III and Jamie Rhett, and grandparents, Nancy and Billy Rhett.
Dressed in traditional “lowcountry casual” consisting of neatly pressed khaki trousers, blue button down shirt and boat shoes, he made his way through the crowded gallery greeting friends and visitors while showing off his latest artistic creations while and popping bubbles on a sheet of bubble wrap.
William, a sixth generation artist in the Rhett family, is only 4 years old, and this was his first exhibit with 18 paintings on display.
“He was watching me paint one day and he wanted to do it too,” said his father, William III, who has been painting since he was 18. Being only 18 months old at the time, William III thought he would do a finger painting. Nope.
“He wanted a brush too so I gave his some paint and brush and he created ‘“’Blue Dinosaur.’ He hasn’t stopped since.”
Friday’s art show was William IV’s idea.
“He said he wanted to do ‘paintings for dollars’ to raise money so he could ride the steam engine from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad at Bryson City, N.C.,” according to grandmother Nancy Rhett. “He wanted to sell some of his paintings and put the money in his piggy bank to pay for the whole family to take a dinner cruise through the mountains,” she said.
With a big smile she exclaimed, “He was only 3 years old at the time, and a capitalist was born!”
Bob Sofaly has been photographing people and what they do in Beaufort since Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980. He can be reached at bobsofaly@gmail.com.
