As population and venues (hotel ballrooms and churches) grew, so did the presentations. At first, the Hilton Head Institute for the Arts was the only “presenter” group, and its annual goal was to raise enough money to bring music to the island an average of four times a year. Musicians from the Savannah Symphony were glad to be asked to perform concerts at the county library. Although the concerts were free, the musicians weren’t, and fundraising events were an annual necessity. Absolutely everyone turned out for Tomfoolery, an annual evening of just that, held at Harbour Town or the parking lot of the then-new Hyatt Hotel, now the Marriott Resort, in Palmetto Dunes.

At one of these events, a quartet comprised of local entrepreneurs made its debut and didn’t disband until it reached its television pinnacle on “The Gong Show.” Tim Doughtie, Porter Thompson, Peter Hunter and Ted Meyer called their quartet “The Phartophonics.” As cultural demands increased, the Institute for the Arts segued into the Cultural Council which, led by Cartha “Deke” DeLoach, spearheaded the 10-year project of building what is now called the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. The James Self family of Greenwood donated the commercial land at the entrance to Shelter Cove, making the Arts Center a possible dream.

The facility opened in 1996 under the name of the Self Family Arts Center, with much celebration. The arts center features the intimate 352-seat Elizabeth Wallace Theatre, which offers performances of all types. Its main stage is home for a series of drama and musical offerings, two full-length ballets presented by the Hilton Head Dance Theatre, and special evenings with major actors and singers. The Walter Greer Gallery is a sleek and beautiful exhibition space that hosts varied monthly presentations of the visual arts. John Jakes, internationally famous author and playwright and founding trustee of the Arts Center, said, “It’s remarkable that a community of our size has a facility like this.” Visual impact For well over a century the visual arts had been present on Hilton Head in the form of native sweet grass baskets. When the first permanent artist, Walter Greer, moved here in 1960, widespread interest in the painted image first emerged. Thirty years ago, the late artist Katy Hodgman organized the Hilton Head Art League.

Today the league is a force comprising 624 members, including 278 professional artists. The organization operates its own gallery in Pineland Station, sponsors workshops and
offers scholarships. Art league president Marajeane Zodtner wrote, “Possibilities abound, and together we will pursue them in our own efforts to make Hilton Head Island the most exciting and creative visual arts center in the Southeast.” This vision is shared by other local groups, including one that is working to assure the area of another generation of artists.

The Island School Council for the Arts for 32 years has dedicated its efforts to enhancing arts education in local schools. In 1979, ISCA kicked off its annual “An Evening of the Arts,” and every October since, the gala event has auctioned off works donated by local and regional artists. The proceeds, totaling nearly $1.7 million since the event began, fund four programs that encourage youthful artists to pursue their talents. Galleries galore To display and sell the work of all these artists requires galleries, and our area boasts a number of wonderful and diverse galleries, showcasing fine art to folk art, pottery to Gullah craft. Hilton Head’s first art gallery is still operating on Cordillo Parkway. The Red Piano, which still displays its namesake red piano in a front window, was recently purchased by Morris & Whiteside Galleries. The new management wants to return as many of the original features as possible to the gallery. It won’t be possible to revive the original Round Table of Artists that met there for many years, but perhaps a younger group could be started. There are also rumors that the jazz combos centered around the old red piano might return. Another long-running and successful gallery is the John Stobart Gallery in Harbour Town. Known as the DeMers Gallery when Stobart purchased it in 1988 and renamed it, the gallery serves as a showcase for its namesake, one of the pre-eminent maritime painters in America. Stobart, originally from England, has been a part-time resident of Hilton Head for 30 years. The gallery also is the exclusive representative for another long-time island resident, worldrenowned portrait artist Joe Bowler.

A discussion of long-standing supporters of local artists would not be complete without mention of the Moonshell Gallery in Orleans Plaza. Owner Ann Light, one of the original partners of the 15-year-old gallery, represents 25 international, national and local artists, including two of her former partners. Works are offered in various media, in many forms from abstract to realism and a good mix of variety in between. Bluffton’s historic district has begun to promote itself as a new mecca for artists and those looking for the unusual. Several galleries and studios have clustered around Calhoun Street within easy walking distance of one another. According to Jacob Preston, “Bluffton’s tallest and oldest living potter,” street lights have now been installed on the historic main street of Bluffton, and plans are being made for evening events to invite visitors to sample the eccentric flavor of this delightful area. The Calhoun Street Gallery has reorganized and added new artists, not all from the area. The Guild of Bluffton Artists is a cooperative gallery just across the street.

Jon Nelson and Peggy Duncan, owners of the former Crossroads Gallery, have moved “downtown” with their new Pluff Mudd gallery. The Store handles some paintings and other local art, and then there’s Preston’s pottery studio and gallery, with Louanne LaRoche’s collection next door. Amos Hummell Studios/Red Stripe Gallery is always a good stop for his interesting and unusual folk art. Eggs ‘n’ tricities offers hand-painted novelties and functional art. A great opportunity to see all of this will be May 10 when Bluffton stages its 25th annual Village Festival, celebrated outdoors along the length of Calhoun Street. Venturing to Savannah, Compass Prints, Inc. is now the exclusive representative of the ever-popular artist Ray Ellis. Original works, conventional prints, lithographs and gicleé prints are all available.

Beaufort has long had an active art association and is now organizing an art league. According to Bowen King, owner of The Gallery, a new organization called the Guild of Beaufort Galleries has been formed. Its purpose is to raise awareness of art galleries in the Beaufort area, the scope and quality of available art and to promote a cooperative spirit among the galleries. Long-range plans include evening gallery walks and timing opening exhibits to encourage tourists to come to the area. Serving the entire arts community is Editions Beaux Arts, Inc. offering the very Artslatest in gicleé printing. The print-ondemand technology is invaluable to area artists and art galleries, making it possible to reproduce museum-quality prints and heirloom- quality photographs. Onstage - theatre and music Equaling the visual arts wide reach are the many who want to “hit the boards” and perform. Whether in a strictly amateur manner or truly professional, there is a stage in the area for every desire and talent. The Hilton Head Community & Youth Theatre has leased three of the Main Street Cinema theaters and knocked out one of the walls to create a 200-seat venue. The third theater will be converted to dressing rooms and other necessities.

The Hilton Head Dance Theatre was organized in 1985 by Allyson Harden and Margaret Jones, and their first performance a year later was under the training and direction of Karena Brock and John Carlyle, who continue the work today. Their annual production of “The Nutcracker” has become a holiday tradition. In a renovated building on Beach City Road, South Carolina Repertory Company presents plays with small local casts as well as with touring actors. Their offerings are very popular and are usually a sell-out. Offerings by Hilton Head High School’s Seahawk Stage Productions have grown in audiences as word-of-mouth praise spreads. Performing either at the high school in their “black box” rehearsal studio or at Dunnagan’s Alley Theatre, the students and their director, Michael Pilgreen, look forward to the completion of the 650-seat theater on the school campus.

Across the bridge in Bluffton, May River Theatre Company has recently completed its fourth production. Choosing casts from local talent, the company strives for the feel of small-town “community theater” while giving audiences a truly polished show. Look for “L’il Abner” in the spring. Visitors and residents alike continue to be amazed with the quality of the Hilton Head Orchestra. Under the baton of Mary Woodmansee Green, this past season the orchestra presented 10 concerts featuring the artistry of national and international soloists. In addition, island music lovers could attend “Mondays with the Maestra” lecture and final rehearsals. The Hilton Head International Piano Competition is one of only seven in the United States. Now in its eighth year, the judges received a record 111 applications from a record 32 countries.

Gather all these arts entities together and you have the making of a fabulous arts festival. The month-long event, sponsored by the Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Arts. Last year various arts organizations had an audience total of 44,000 people. Calendars will soon be available to list each event and venue. BRAVO! is a wonderful way for residents and guests to support their favorite art forms and perhaps experience something new. In reporting on the economic impact of the arts in South Carolina, the Arts Commission issued these comments: “Cultural activities are an important component of quality of life. The arts add to our lives in many intangible ways. However, they also contribute to the economy in ways that can be measured.

The arts are, indeed, a significant segment of the economy, with complex linkages throughout. On average in both 2000 and 2001, the arts in South Carolina directly and indirectly supported $700 million in wages and salaries, 30,000 jobs, and $1.9 billion in economic output.” From any one angle, those are significant figures and worthy of the most pragmatic individual’s support. At the same time, the downturn in the national economy since 9/11 has hurt non-profit arts groups. Local groups are feeling the pinch. With corporate grantmakers re-evaluating their priorities and private donors curbing their charitable contributions, non-profits suffer. “These are obviously difficult times for arts organizations, or for that matter, any non-profit organization that depends upon contributions in order to survive,” said Walt Graver, president of the Hilton Head Orchestra’s board of directors. “Fortunately the Hilton Head Orchestra is better positioned than many other orchestras, but it still needs a quality musical program, prudent management and a supportive community to continue to fulfill its mission.” Patricia Friedman, president of the board of the Island School Council for the Arts, agreed that economic uncertainty and dwindling stock portfolios have put many contributors in a holding pattern, which affects the amount of programing her organization can support. “Since 9/11, many people have been cautious both with donations and with art purchases,” she said. “We are looking for ways to approach new potential donors and increase our fund-raising efforts.” The future is bright Still, area art lovers, artists, arts educators and boards of directors press on toward their goals of celebrating, enhancing and improving the artistic offerings of the Lowcountry. They know the arts are vital not just to our economy, but to our wellbeing as individuals and as a community. With continued support and attention, the state of the arts in this area might well graduate to an A+. ™