Sunday, March 18 saw a great turnout of folks at the reception for the SoBA Black and White Photography Exhibition. They enjoyed wine, cheese, and the excellent work of 94 entries by 62 photographers. Art Cornell, acclaimed photographer, poet and painter, had a real challenge judging the exhibit of top-notch work. The first place prize went to Wes Grady, local photographer and writer for Dude Magazine. He is involved in the local photography community in a big way – a member of the Camera Club of Hilton Head Island, The Carolina Nature Photographers Association, and the Photo Clubs of Sun City and Beaufort. His winning entry “On the Beach” is striking one – a line of spectators at the Marsh Tacky races on the Hilton Head shore. The second place went to Ron Roth with “Walt’s Window” a beautiful contrast of lights and darks. The third place ribbon went to Scott Elliot for “Frank,” a humorous up-close and personal cat portrait. Honorable Mentions went to local photographer Jean-Marie Cote for “Light Magic 2” and student Amy Bergeron for “Gram.” The show will remain on exhibit until April 21 at the SoBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton, and is definitely worth a visit!
Margaret Evans is the editor of Lowcountry Weekly, where she has been penning her award-winning column, Rants & Raves, for over 20 years. She and her husband Jeff also publish The Island News. Margaret’s articles and essays have appeared in magazines and anthologies throughout the South, including 'State of the Heart: South Carolina Writers on the Places They Love,' 'Our Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy,' and 'Southbound' magazine. She is the former editor of 'Beaufort Magazine' and former editorial assistant to novelist Pat Conroy. The South Carolina Press Association named her the state's top newsweekly columnist of 2021 and its top 'humor columnist' of 2022. Either Margaret is getting funnier, or people will laugh at anything these days.