It is with heavy hearts that we write this memoir in honor and remembrance of our dear friend and fellow artist, Jim Nelson. Jim was a creative his entire life whether on a canvas, building a home or even earlier playing in a jazz band!  Since retiring from the construction business in 2003,  Jim pursued art by opening a gallery in the Litchfield Exchange called "Drawing the Line". Later he moved the business to Pawleys Island and was one of the original artists and owners of The Island Art Gallery.   When asked the question one day--"How do you come up with such incredible compositions?" --Jim's answer was "I don't know really---the composition just comes to me ---I pour the inks on my board and wait-- through color and texture along with a little imagination the subject comes to be."    It's no wonder his favorite quote was "Color is a pigment of your imagination"! He will be so missed for his gentle nature and gift of imagination---rest colorfully  Jim until we meet again! 

A big thank you to artist and educator Maura Kenny for judging our Annual Spring Show this year!  We love that she spent so much time narrowing down the final winners which she said was quite a difficult task!  What was most interesting was the diversity of work submitted based on the artist's interpretation of "Earth Day".  In the end, she did pick the final winners and reminded us how important the artist's statement is to the painting as well. Congratulations to Debanjana Bhattacharjee for "First of Spring", oil in canvas taking first place; Meredith Boos for "Too Precious a Future to Drop", mixed media taking second place; Carol Russell for "View of the World", Acrylic taking third place.  Also an Honorable Mention to Sharon Lampke for "Peace III", oil on canvas. Do stop in and see the show in it's entirety--a wonderful celebration of Earth Day! The show will run through May 30th--artist pick-up is May 31st.

Happy Earth Day weekend!!  Sharing images of the show and hope you will stop by for our Gallery Opening this evening from 5pm-7pm.  We are so excited about the incredible work submitted and as our Juror Maura Kenny said--"They were all so good --picking just a few is difficult.  There are so many truly worthy of recognition!" 

Sharon Bogan
I had always wanted to be able to express myself through art. Although I had never had any formal training, about 10 years ago when I got ready to leave the work world, I decided it was time to follow my dream.  After much study and the opportunity to work with great artists, I am where I am today! 
Having lived in Southern Ohio for most of my life my subjects of choice were barns, old cars and snowy scenes. After moving to Pawleys Island, I have discovered the world of beach life and have tried to incorporate some of the local color in my paintings. I still love barns and rusty cars!
As the president of the Georgetown County Watercolor Society, I have the opportunity to promote art in our community. Each of us can benefit from being able to express ourselves through art. My goal at this point is be be more expressive in my art because as you have heard, "Art is the window to a woman's soul."

This is a Call for Artists to participate in the Island Art Gallery’s Spring Show to be held this April.  Our shows are meant to encourage awareness of the arts in our community and provide an opportunity for artists to not only show their work but to challenge themselves. 

This year's Opening Day Event will be held on Friday, April 21st, 2023 and our theme is Earth Day.    Artwork should be submitted by Monday, April 17th, 2023.  The show will be judged and we will be awarding prize money for first, second and third place. The artwork will hang in the gallery through the month of May and will be posted on our website.  One entry per person. 
​
Requirements: 

1. Format –  Maximum painting size will be 20x24 including frame, if not framed must be 1 1/2" gallery wrapped canvas. 3D pieces are also accepted as long as they do not exceed 24" height, width or depth.  Please make sure that the artwork is ready to hang with proper wire.
2. All work must be original, not created in a class or workshop, created in the past year, and not previously shown in Georgetown County, SC. 
3. Artist must submit 3-4 sentences, on the application form, on your creative process.  Did you paint plein art, from a photograph (your own or one with permission), any use of computers, or apps, or is it totally from your imagination, etc.  The process should be transparent.  
4. Work must be for sale and your price should reflect  a 25% gallery commission. 
5. Please securely attach a tag to the back of the canvas with your name and contact information. 
6. Entry fee is $20.
7. Entry forms will be available at the gallery and can be completed when you deliver the painting.  You may also email us at islandartcoop@gmail.com and we will be glad to send you one.      

We look forward to seeing your work!
Island Art Gallery