Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

The Beauty of Nature at Goodyear Cottage, Jekyll Island

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Painter, Jo Elliott and bird sculptor Chuck Robertson are inspired by nature and devoted to capture its beauty. These talented artists will be showcasing their inspired works in an upcoming exhibit sponsored by the Jekyll Island Arts Association in the Gallery of Goodyear Cottage in Jekyll Island’s Historic District.

Coastal Georgia Is Inspiration
Painter, Jo Elliott has been interested in art as long as she can remember. At an early age, she accompanied her father as he conducted drawing and painting classes at the local art guild in Greenville, Ohio. She admits, “I am fortunate to have this very talented artist and teacher in my family.” Jo’s Dad continues to encourage her to ‘paint rich’ and to tell a story with each paintings. With her children grown and having retired from the insurance industry a few years ago, Jo feels fortunate to be able to devote more time to her love of art. Living on the Georgia coast provides an endless source of creative material for her watercolor and acrylic landscapes. Around every corner Jo feels is an interesting scene to capture, whether it is a shrimp boat heading out, an egret keeping watch over a tidal creek, or the way light and shadows define a sand dune.

Chuck Robertson
Art by Chuck Robertson

It’s All About Birds
A large part of bird sculptor, Chuck Robertson’s life has been about birds since 1981. It was at this time that he decided to find something more personally satisfying in his life. Stumbling into an art show Chuck was captivated by sculptures of birds. He had spent much of his life outdoors as a kid and had always enjoyed creating things with his hands. Chuck was mesmerized by the idea of bird sculpture and has made this his profession and life’s work since carving his very first bird. Chuck’s work consists of very realistic and detailed sculptures of birds. His goal is to capture a moment in nature and to bring that excitement into his sculpture and ultimately to the viewer.

Opening day of the Elliott-Robertson Exhibit will be October 1st and it will continue thru November 1st. The artists’ reception will be held on Sunday, October 4th from 1 – 3 PM. Admission is always free at Goodyear’s Gallery and shop where regular hours are Monday – Friday, Noon until 4 PM and weekends 10 AM until 4 PM. For more information please call 635-3092.

Jo Elliot painting

Charleston Green Fair 2009

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The Green Fair in Charleston has grown in popularity, and no wonder. Here you can find lots of fun and interesting things about how to live green in South Carolina. The Charleston Green Fair 2009 main event takes place on September 27.

But the festival actually kicks off already on Tuesday September 22nd with a Sustainable Seafood Dinner initiative, but tickets are very limited. When we checked they were almost sold out, so if you’re interested, hurry over to the website now and you might get lucky.

On Friday September 25th it’s time for the Green Business Expo with panels and workshops. Click here for more information.

On Saturday September 26th watch the GreenFlix at the Visitor’s Centers Bus Terminal, downtown Charleston, at 7 pm.

Sunday is the big day for the big Green Fair at Marion Square in downtown Charleston. Watch the video below for a fun introduction or visit www.CharlestonGreenFair.com for more information.

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Craftsmen’s Classicâ„¢ Arts & Crafts Festival 2009 in Myrtle Beach, SC

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Fall is usually the time to pick up arts or crafts projects again. Kids go back to school, vacation time is over and for a lot of us, it’s back to the everyday life. A great way to get inspiration for your own arts and crafts project is to visit a show – and in South Carolina in August, there’s a great show.

Craftsmen’s Classicâ„¢ Arts & Crafts Festival 2009 August 7-9th is a popular arts & crafts show in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina features original work from over 250 talented artists and craftspeople from across the country. Experience the creative process in action. Many exhibitors demonstrate their crafts throughout the weekend at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

For more details and a link to a dollar off coupon, visit our events calendar listing for The Craftsmen’s Classic Arts & Crafts Festival 2009 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach convention, South Carolina

It’s a Frog-Strangling Downpour in Charleston

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It’s not raining cats and dogs, it’s more of a frog strangler when the new sculpture exhibit is opening at the Hamlet Gallery for Charles Smith and sons, Zan and Beau. The exhibit is called “It’s Raining Frogs” and consists of a new collection of human-size copper frog sculptures.

Thinking Frog
"Thinking Frog" by Zan Smith

The Humble Beginning
The beginning of the human-size copper frog emerged in 1974 when Charles Smith started making metal sculptures(following a career in science and engineering). His first subjects were clowns and dancers made with sheet copper overlaid with brass from one to two feet tall.
“Natural subject matter, coupled with the basic desire to render the life size image of the human form in metal are the forces that led to the copper frog” says Charles.  The frogs have evolved over the years, first sitting on the ground, then standing, holding a wine bottle, martini glass, reading a book, playing an instrument and other various human activities.  Sizes have varied also, large to small and back to the human-size again.  The “Spoleto Dancing” frogs in the courtyard stand around 7 feet tall and are perfectly asymmetrical.

Charles’ sons, Beau and Zan, learned metal sculpture while growing up, and became “Frogsmiths” after their father.  The sons continue to contribute in the development of the medium and collaborate on the art and craft of the human size copper frog.  Charles and Zan each have a studio in a natural setting on a small, family island in the South Carolina Lowcountry, south of Charleston.  Beau works independently in Atlanta, Georgia.

Goblet Frog
"Goblet Frog" by Beau Smith

The Art of Expression and Body Language
Each frog is made individually and has its own character in expression and body language.  They do not use templates, or helpers.  The artists primarily use copper, brass and stainless steel, and have developed over the years a special process for initiating the verdigris patina.  Each frog is signed, dated and copyrighted on a stainless steel plate near the foot of the frog statue. “These frog creatures have “soul” and are “crowd pleasers”, making people smile” says Stephanie Shuler Hamlet of the Hamlet Fine Art Gallery.

The reception takes place on  Friday, August 7th , 5-8 pm. The exhibit continues the whole month of August. For more information, contact the Hamlet Fine art Gallery at 843-722-1944 or www.hamletgallery.com

dancing-frogs

The Crown Jewels – Royal Exhibit to Amelia Island, Florida

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The British royal family has a long history and tradition. Part of the tradition is embodied in the British Crown Jewels. The Crown Jewels have been kept at the Tower of London since 1303. The Crown Jewels are kept in a part of the Tower known as Jewel House, where armed guards defend them.

While the jewels never leave the Tower of London, the only existing sanctioned replicas will be on display at the Amelia Island Museum of History, April 22nd through July 24th.
Amelia Island is a suitable place for the exhibit, since the island itself is names after King George II’s daughter Amelia Sophia.

In 1733, James Oglethorpe founded the 13th British colony in America naming it Georgia after King George II. Later on he name Amelia Island after George’s daughter. The experts are not sure why. Some believe that Oglethorpe was trying to get support from George II in his endeavor to add Florida to the British colonies, while others think that Amelia Sophia and Oglethorpe might have been romantically involved.

Now you can experience a little bit of royal history right here on the coast. The Crown Jewel exhibit continues at Amelia Island Museum of History until July 24th.

Admission is free for museum members and $5 for non-members.

Amelia Island Museum, 233 South Third Street, Fernandina, Florida 32034
Phone: 904-261-7378

Royal Crown Jewels