FOR THE LOVE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

GLYNN VISUAL ARTS CELEBRATES ITS 70th ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR

AND WILL BE USING THAT OPPORTUNITY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO LOWCOUNTRY LIFE he community arts organization’s yearlong celebration “Art of the Lowcountry” will include numerous events highlighting the region’s people as well, especially the artists and artisans who are inspired by and create within this magical place. What a wonderful muse it is!

What began with Bill Hendrix’s dream to create and teach art on the island back in the early 1950s has evolved from the “Island Art Center” in a ramshackle building by the airport to the vibrant non-profit community arts organization known as Glynn Visual Arts. Fittingly, it is still located near the airport, on Skylane Road, with a whimsical painted plane outside. Well-known local artist and former art instructor Betty Oliver is the Honorary Chair for Art of the Lowcountry. She has served GVA in many capacities over the years and is currently a Board of Directors Emeritus Member and Education Chair. Betty was quick to point out that when we discuss this 70th anniversary, many people don’t realize that Glynn Visual Arts is that very same arts organization that formed so many decades ago, because it underwent numerous name changes and moves throughout the years. Betty remembers it well from the beginning, as she was one of the children who took art lessons from Bill Hendrix in those days. She is thrilled to be a part of this celebration of GVA’s history and is so proud of what the organization offers to the community today.

Betty says that back in those early days, there wasn’t much else for kids to do on the island, other than county sports, so the art lessons were a fun way to pass the time on Saturday mornings. She says “I remember thinking that I would love to come back here and do this same thing. Create art. Teach it. It definitely shaped who I am and what I have done with my life. I think art is important in that way. It gives us a sense of a bigger, broader world. With Glynn Visual Arts, I wanted to get involved to be able to give that same opportunity to other children.” Betty is one of many of children who grew up on the island taking those Saturday morning art lessons and later in life followed their own artistic endeavors. Betty continued her study of art at The University of Georgia. After earning her B.A. in Art, M.A. in Art History, and a Ph.D. in Art Appreciation/ Aesthetics, Betty served as Professor of Media Arts at what is now known as Kennesaw State. She’s an active member of many art societies and is a fabulous artist in her own right. We’re lucky to have so many talented artists like her still active in our local arts community and sharing their gifts.

“At GVA, our mission is to reach people through art; to speak to their souls as well as to their bodies, visually. Because schools can no longer provide art instruction, we need to create this interest and bring people in who don’t know that they need art. To reach the underserved in a way that contributes to their well-being but maybe in a way that they have never experienced and have had no access to.” Betty says, “Unfortunately, GVA is at a disadvantage because we have no governmental support and we’re often overlooked as a non-profit. We don’t have big grant money coming in. Many people think that we’re just another art gallery, but that’s a misconception. While we have several talented artists, GVA is not operated as a venue just for member artists to sell their