Nearly 100 local artists entered in Society of Bluffton Artists’ (SoBA) 26th Annual Judged Show, but only 15 walked away with awards last week. 

Joanne Talbot received top honors for “At the Table,” a watercolor painting that received “Best In Show.” First place winners included: Joanne Talbot in watercolor; Ron Selby in photography; John Meckley in oil; Sheila Garbasky in acrylic; Audrey Alkind in mixed media; and Mary Burrell (left) in the “other” category.

Beth and Hailey Williams chronicle their residency in the Dry Tortugas National Park.

By Hailey Williams

Picture this: you wake up to the sound of waves crashing and coconut palm fronds crinkling. Each morning you are greeted by a court of seagulls preening on the dock. You swim alongside bulbous jellyfish and shining barracudas while you snorkel Little Africa Reef, and at night you are ensconced by stars. You’re on a remote island off the grid, tasked only with the guardianship of nature and creating art. You are given one hand-held radio and a binder detailing the solar power and RO systems, and left to your own devices. 

This is exactly what my mother and I were chosen to do, out of 400 candidates, for the Dry Tortugas National Park Artist Residency program last September.

The Department of Visual Art & Design at the University of South Carolina Beaufort presents Regeneration, artwork by Mary Robinson, at the Sea Islands Center Gallery, now through March 27. A closing reception will take place Friday, March 27, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., with a gallery talk at 6 p.m. The Sea Islands Center Gallery is located at 1106 Carteret Street.