Author: Margaret Evans

Six artists have formed the expressive and colorful ‘Upstairs Group,’ taking over the second floor of the esteemed Charles Street Gallery. Their work celebrates the colors, imagery and scenes that drip, slide and smudge from the brushes of skilled and insightful artists— they know how to speak with color, share with joy, and spread around the beauty: Lynn Brown, Sharon DeAlexandris, Carol Henry, Jim Rothnie, Sara Timmons, and Nancy Sturgis. Meet the artists & enjoy the reception on Friday, February 25th, 5:30 to 9pm, at 914 Charles Street in Beaufort. The Charles Street Gallery is an established source for Lowcountry and international art, presented within a carefully renovated house surrounded by a lush garden in the middle of Beaufort’s historic district. 843-521-9054, thecharlesstreetgallery.com.

David Soliday has turned agricultural history into art   The York W. Bailey Museum at the Penn Center National Historic Landmark will host a debut exhibition by Charleston photographer David Soliday, entitled “Remnants of Rice Fields in South Carolina”, featuring images of rice fields from Georgetown to Beaufort, South Carolina.   The gallery opening will be held on February l9, 2011 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., featuring an artist’s talk and a taste of Gullah rice sampling.  The admission to the event is $6 for adults.

Come enjoy the Guild of Beaufort Galleries Valentine’s Day Art Walk on Monday, Febuary 14th, from 4 pm til 8 pm. Historic Beaufort has been voted one of the 100 best Art towns in America and 12th best small town art destination in the country.  Each of the twelve galleries in beautiful downtown Beaufort will display wonderful works of art for everyone to enjoy.

Victoria Smalls romances the canvas… For the past three years around Valentine’s Day, the Red Piano Too Art Gallery on St. Helena Island has hosted an art show with the theme of “Love” always in mind.  This year the Red Piano Too will feature the art of St. Helena Island native Victoria Smalls, in its annual “Celebration of Love.”  The collection will primarily showcase paintings in the artist’s favorite medium – soft pastels.  The artist has combined her signature series of “Contemplation Faces” in varying hues and flesh tones and images of couples embracing, walking along the seaside, reflecting and celebrating their love for one another.