Les Bonnes Artistes bring ‘Images’ to Honey Horn By SHerry ConoHAn
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en women artists from Hilton Head Island, united under the banner “Les Bonnes Artistes,” are staging a show of their collective art works – “Images” – at The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn from Nov. 7 through Jan. 14. Their styles and subject matter vary from artist to artist with the pieces being shown ranging from landscapes to flowers to historic structures and people There are abstract paintings and collages. Something for everyone — and most of it will be for sale. Sitting at a large round table covered with a red tablecloth in the back of their favorite restaurant, Il Carpaccio in Pineland Station (the food is good and the price is right) for one of their monthly meetings recently, the women talked excitedly about plans for the upcoming show. They quickly decided that rather than mixing up their art, each would show her own pieces in one group. The question, unresolved, was how to determine the order in which the groupings would run. They figured each artist would be able to display four to eight items of their work, depending on the size of each. They estimated that, overall, there would be 50 to 70 items in the show. The group has previously had two other joint shows — one with the Art League of Hilton Head and one at Hilton Head Library. They all show their work, individually, in vari148 hiltonheadmonthly.com
ous galleries around the island and Beaufort County. “Les Bonnes Artistes” — The Good Artists — was founded in October 2007 when Doris Shay, Evelyn Kowtko and Dorothy Steelman sat down together to talk art. It grew by invitation to include the present 10, all from the northern end of the island. All but one live in Hilton Head Plantation, the other lives in Indigo Run. Their intent, they explained, was to have an art group in the north end. They derive many things from their association with one another. Annie Coughlin said she enjoyed the feedback and reinforcement that she gets from the group and finding out the latest — what’s going on — in the art world. Emily Wilson said she enjoyed the relationship that they share as artists. Joanna Chalson similarly said she enjoyed the kind and friendly relationship in “Les Bonnes Artistes” and how the members support each other’s artwork. “The art group is a small art community within a large art community,” Barbara Spencer added, “and gives me a sense of belonging in Hilton Head and producing the best Lowcountry art I can. It consists of amazing artists.’” Shay said it’s also great for just having “a good time” together. To be invited to be a member, Jo Dye said, the foremost criteria is for the person to be a good artist. After all, she said, “That’s our name — Les Bonnes Artistes — The Good Artists.” M