The Society of Bluffton Artists (SoBA) opened an exhibit called "Past Presidents" featuring works from over 100 pieces created by its past presidents. The exhibit aims to showcase the diverse styles of SoBA's former leaders who have helped guide and develop the organization over the years. SoBA provides educational opportunities for both children and adults to discover and nurture their creative talents, supports other local galleries, and offers scholarships to art students. The relationship between SoBA and the community of Bluffton is strong, with both providing support to encourage local arts.

1. State of creativity: 'Past Presidents' show opens in Bluffton
By KAREN KASSEBEER
Special to The Bluffton Packet
Published Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Creativity is alive and well in Bluffton.
This week the Society of Bluffton Artists opened its latest exhibit -- a large-scale collection of more than
100 pieces that will give people a glimpse of local art through many different lenses.
The "Past Presidents" exhibit is a unique one for SoBA, said spokeswoman Sandra Wenig. For the first
time ever, the leaders who have helped shape and guide SoBA over the years will display their work
together.
Lifelong artist and past SoBA president Lynda Potter said she has seen how the society has grown and
changed since she retired as president in 1996.
"The challenge (then) was to find the artists." Potter said. "Bluffton has always been a home for artists,
even though in the beginning it was more of the community supporting us and not actually artists."
Her goal of finding a space where artists could meet, challenge each other creatively and give back to the
community was achieved. Today the gallery continues to grow, and there's a larger membership of artists.
David Dickson, an artist and the most recent past president of SoBA, said he saw better times in 2006,
before the economic downturn, but that he remains positive for the future of the art association.
He said he is proud of all the past presidents who have worked hard to build and maintain art in the
community.
During his tenure, Dickson, along with the support of SoBA, was able to give two area students full
scholarships to attend college and study art.
He said that in addition to providing scholarships to area students, another objective of SoBA is to support
the other galleries in town and offer free or affordable art lessons to the community.
Wenig said, "We pride ourselves on offering free classes at the learning center in our back room for
children who have an interest in art."
Adults can take the classes too. Potter said the local art community can give anyone the push they need
to find their creative side.

2. "There is a spirit of art in this town that's special," she said. "People appreciate art, and they have moved
here to try art."
Wenig said that this relationship between the artists and the surrounding community is strong.
"We have a great relationship with Bluffton. We help the community, and they help us."
That relationship was recently recognized when SoBA was awarded the town's Mayor's Award for the
Arts.
This award was given to SoBA for the supportive environment it provides to local artists and for educating
budding artists.
As for the future of SoBA, current president of SoBA Chris Clayton is trying to shake things up to keep the
group moving forward.
He said SoBA will remain focused on its goals, despite the economy, and he plans to create even more
sources of revenue, such as fundraising and a photography competition, which will be open to the public
later this year.
Beyond the leadership responsibilities of the past SoBA presidents are the artists themselves, who offer a
wide variety of styles and expression.
Clayton is intrigued by and draws inspiration from the Civil War, so you can expect to find pieces that
recognize the war's upcoming 150th year anniversary.
In contrast, Dickson has used his travels around the world as inspiration to create paintings and typically
paints from photographs.
Potter's style is different as well.
She said she likes to drive around Bluffton and get ideas from her own environment.
"I love old things and use that as inspiration. I like to keep old buildings in mind."
At the exhibit, there will be artwork from all sorts of genres, Wenig said. Prices range from $500 to over
$1,000. Many of the artists also create miniatures of their work, which go for around $35.
Potter said, "People shouldn't come thinking they will be pressured to buy. This is the time to try art, get
ideas and lessons if they like."

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