From staff reports
The concept for the Tidal Treasures exhibit grew from a shared love, by three local artists, of the Lowcountry and the artwork it inspires.
The Lowcountry is known for its visual beauty, but it is also rich with the sounds and scents of our surroundings: incoming tides, rolling ocean surf, the waves of marsh grass, remarkable wildlife, shrimp boats on the horizon and, of course, our distinctive pluff mud. These scenes have inspired many creative souls for generations.
Art Rothenberg, Emily Styles and Gail Newton’s artwork all reflect their admiration of the Lowcountry. As active members of Beaufort Art Association’s Gallery Committee, their love of their surroundings gave birth to creating a joint exhibit called “Tidal Treasures.”
The exhibit opens on March 4 and runs through April 26 at Beaufort Art Association Gallery at 913 Bay Street in Beaufort. The opening reception is Friday, March 7 and is open to the public. Stop down and meet the artists and see their exhibit as well as the work of more than 70 other exhibiting local artists.
Rothenberg, who serves Beaufort Art Association as the 3-D coordinator for the Gallery, has been crafting unique one of a kind creations for longer than 50 years. From toys for the kids, to kitchen gadgets to bedroom furniture.
He and his wife moved to the Lowcountry because they both loved walks on the beach, picking up driftwood, sunsets, and nature at its plainest and grandest. Walking on the beach inspires Rothenberg to dream and think.
Given his love for the arts, he found a way to marry nature with stained glass. Tidal Treasures is how he visualizes the Lowcountry.
Styles’ paintings are a mixture of palette knife, brush strokes, texture, and self-taught learning. Her favorite medium is oil and painting Alla Prima style or wet on wet. She finds it truly exciting to see a painting take shape and come out of the canvas.
Styles’ favorite subjects are clouds, marshland, waterways, trees, boats, oyster shells, and sea birds. The beauty of the Lowcountry truly is her inspiration, and they speak to her creative soul. For Styles, who serves BAA as the coordinator for the bi-monthly Featured Artist program, the Lowcountry is, beyond doubt, a magical place she feels privileged to call home.
Newton has been an artist for all her life. After her retirement from the South Carolina school system, she began her journey in art. In Charleston, she studied oil painting and discovered her love of painting the lush Lowcountry landscapes and fascinating wading birds.
A move to the Florida Keys with its vibrant colors inspired her to study acrylic painting and incorporate these bright colors into her paintings. Her art journey continued when she moved to Beaufort, and she began to expand her focus on its salt marshes, glorious sunrises and colorful birds. If painting weren’t enough, Gail manages BAA’s Gallery changeover every other month and is the secretary of the Gallery Committee.
The collaboration of these three fine artists creates an exhibit that reflects the beauty of the Lowcountry and will awaken your minds to the natural treasures that surround us every day.
