Arts, Culture & Recreation

Arts and Culture

Gullah Culture

The African-American Gullah culture, prevalent since the 1800s, is a revered part of Island history, and residents recognize the need to preserve and treasure this esteemed heritage.

Gullah is a rich and colorful culture celebrated through foods, crafts and religious practices. Originally descended from African slaves who worked the Southern plantations, the Gullah people of the Lowcountry and nearby coastal islands of South Carolina and Georgia are the most culturally distinctive AfricanAmerican population in the United States.

The Gullah culture is kept alive through vivid storytelling in the native dialect of Gullah, a Creole blend of European and African tongues. Through passionate prayers, sermons and tales, the Gullah remember their past and look toward the future preservation of their culture which is distinguished by the crafts of sweet grass basket sewing, quilt making and fish netweaving.

The Gullah people developed a unique culture based on folktales, superstitions and a distinct cuisine which shaped generations of families living on Hilton Head Island and in the Lowcountry. Visitors to the Island during the month of February can attend the annual Gullah Celebration, a spirited festival that features the arts, crafts, history, music and food of the Gullah people. Other opportunities to experience Gullah culture year-round include Gullah-N-Geechee Mahn Tours and Gullah Heritage Trail Tours.

The Arts

The area’s splendid beauty and rich history have inspired vibrant arts and cultural community that rivals many metropolitan areas. Hilton Head Island and Bluffton have long fostered a diversity of artists and their work.

The multi-million-dollar Arts Center of Coastal Carolina showcases some of the country’s most renowned visual and performing artists in a variety of events throughout the year. The Elizabeth Wallace Theatre holds the distinction of housing South Carolina’s largest production company. Broadway-style theatre, pop, jazz and classical concerts, children’s events and gallery exhibitions are among the enriching experiences offered at the center.

The Hilton Head Art League encompasses over two dozen art galleries and studios. With more than 800 members, the Art League promotes visual arts by sponsoring workshops with nationally known artists, hosting two annual art shows and supporting a gallery where local artwork is sold year-round.

Bluffton has a strong arts presence with a legacy of creative and cultural appreciation by residents. The Cole-Heyward House Historic Center in Bluffton is open to the public and provides information on the history of the town. The Society of Bluffton Artists represents approximately 175 artists and displays their works at a gallery in the Gallery Row district of Old Town. Dozens of art galleries and unique gift shops fill the hamlet, offering everything from the curious to the exquisite.

Music brings more culture and includes the Hilton Head Orchestra and the Hilton Head Choral Society. The sweet sound of harmony and heritage resonate from the Hilton Head Barbershoppers and The Hallelujah Singers, two groups who help preserve different musical styles.

Recreation

From lagoon dotted golf courses to miles of meandering bike paths to sandy beaches, the protected landscape of the area offers the perfect setting for recreational activities whether you are a landlubber or an old salt. Hilton Head Island and Bluffton offer a myriad of activities for visitors and residents to relax and recharge. The crown jewel of Hilton Head Island’s recreational system is its 12 miles of white sandy beaches. The temperate, climate and Gulfstream-warmed waters enable residents of many interests to explore the Island’s beautiful waterways and take advantage of a fabulous array of both land and watersports year-round.

There is a reason why residents and returning visitors to Hilton Head Island affectionately refer to the destination as“The Golf Island.” In fact, the game of golf has been a Lowcountry tradition since the first Scottish immigrants to South Carolina organized America’s first golf club in 1786. Today, there are more than 24 championship courses located on Hilton Head Island, twenty of which are semiprivate, and over 40 courses in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton area.

With its sub-tropical climate, sunny skies and lush green fairways, the destination boasts a year-round golf season. Golf enthusiasts delight in the wide and scenic fairways of area courses, created by golf’s most preeminent architects. George and Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills, Rees and Robert Trent Jones, Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and more have all left their distinctive marks. More than one million rounds of golf are played annually.

A number of prestigious tournaments and special events attract attention every year. Perhaps the most celebrated tournament is The RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing featuring the biggest names on the PGA Tour circuit.

Tennis

With more than 300 courts in all three Grand Slam surfaces, including grass, Hilton Head Island has earned the distinction of one of America’s top spots for tennis. Top-ranked tennis facilities and programs attract tennis professionals and amateurs who seek to improve their game with private or group instruction that is available daily.

The prestigious Van der Meer Tennis Center, one of the world’s most renowned tennis schools and international headquarters of the U.S. Professional Tennis Registry, is one of the top-notch facilities offering daily lessons for players of all skill levels.

The Smith Stearns Tennis Academy, located in Sea Pines has developed numerous state, sectional, national, and international champions over the years and is noted for having one of the strongest college placement programs in the country.

Recreational Options

An alluring array of recreational options is available in the area. Biking, kayaking, sailing, surfing, parasailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, fishing and crabbing, horseback riding, miniature golf, playgrounds, swimming pools, and the options go on as long as a leisurely stroll on the pristine beach. One of the latest trends making a niche in the market is kayak fishing on the area’s salt marshes.

For the sports enthusiast, some of the most enjoyable competition can be found on the fairways, beaches, baseball diamonds, waterways and tennis courts. And for sports with a more competitive edge, residents and visitors can try a triathlon, a marathon or a soccer game. Other sports that can be played locally include basketball, beach cricket, billiards, bocce ball, bowling, croquet, equestrian, Frisbee golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, racquetball, rugby, soccer, softball, swimming and ultimate Frisbee.