Creative corners

Artists are the makers who bring creativity to life through their inspired work, and local galleries provide the perfect backdrop to showcase their talents. From Hilton Head Island to Bluffton and Beaufort, the region is home to an impressive array of art galleries that highlight the creative work of local creators alongside fine art from acclaimed national artists. Whether you’re browsing coastal landscapes, fine art photography, intricate sculptures or contemporary masterpieces, these local galleries offer a rich and diverse art experience.

BLUFFTON

A cultural treasure

The Red Piano Art Gallery

40 Calhoun Street

Established in 1969, The Red Piano Art Gallery has become an iconic presence in the Lowcountry art scene. Founded by Alan and Mary Palmer, it earned the affectionate nickname “piano in the red” due to slow early sales. Nonetheless, the iconic red piano became a central feature of the gallery’s gatherings, complete with champagne receptions. Now owned by Ben and Lyn Whiteside, The Red Piano continues to honor its legacy while cementing its status as a Southeast landmark for fine art. Among its distinguished artists is Stephen Scott Young, regarded as a living American master of his generation.

Capturing nature’s majesty

Ben Ham Gallery

210 Bluffton Road

Ben Ham is a fine art nature photographer whose black-and-white landscapes, captured on film with a classic folding wooden camera, are featured in private, corporate and government collections from Australia to Dubai and Canada to South America. His work also graces the walls of his gallery in Bluffton. Inspired as a teenager by Ansel Adams, Ham is known for his evocative and serene images of the Lowcountry. However, his extensive travels have led him to capture stunning collections from the Rockies, the Southwest, the Pacific Coast and Italy. 

An artful treasure 

Maye River Gallery

16 Church Street

Founded in 2007 by a collective of 15 local artists, Maye River Gallery has been a cornerstone in Bluffton’s art scene. Located in the heart of Old Town, the gallery offers an ever-evolving collection that caters to a wide range of tastes. With a dynamic roster of artists — including collagists, photographers, pastel and acrylic artists and oil painters specializing in landscapes and still-lifes—the gallery ensures a varied selection that reflects a blend of artistic styles and mediums. 

Go with the flow

Flow Gallery + Workshop

76 Boat House St., Palmetto Bluff 

FLOW Gallery + Workshop is a space dedicated to artists from the Palmetto Bluff Artist in Residence program, alongside a curated selection of Southern artists. Situated in the heart of Wilson Village, the gallery presents a range of art forms, from sweetgrass weaving and oil painting to cake artistry. Designed to inspire curiosity and deepen appreciation for the arts, FLOW Gallery + Workshop offers a fun and engaging environment where visitors can explore and connect with creativity.

Rooted in creativity 

Pluff Mudd Art

27 Calhoun St.

Founded in April 2002 under the name “A Guild of Bluffton Artists,” Pluff Mudd Art began as a cooperative gallery with a mission to support and promote local artists in Old Town. After four successful years in its original location, the gallery expanded across the street and rebranded as Pluff Mudd Art. Since its relocation, the gallery has thrived. Today Pluff Mudd Art showcases the work of 20 artists. 

An artistic vision

Four Corners Gallery

1263 May River Road

In 1989 Charlene Gardner established Four Corners Framing with a dedication to offering top-notch, custom framing services for designers and galleries in the Bluffton area. As Bluffton evolved into an art destination, Charlene recognized an opportunity to expand her vision and broaden her offerings. Today Four Corners Gallery features a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, photography, and pottery by local artists and creators from the surrounding region.

Bluffton’s artistic soul

SOBA Art Gallery

6 Church Street

The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA), founded by seven local artists in the spring of 1994, emerged during a time when Bluffton was known as a slow-paced art and fishing village. Since then, this nonprofit has grown to more than 100 members. SOBA’s mission is to create a nurturing environment for local artists to develop their skills and explore their creativity. The SOBA Art Gallery, showcasing works from over 100 artists, is a space where all art is locally created. With fresh exhibits unveiled each month, the gallery is always alive with new and original works.

Small space, big talent

La Petite Gallerie

56 Calhoun Street

Housed in a historic building on Calhoun Street in Old Town, La Petite Gallerie is a celebration of local talent, with a focus on painting, pencil art and sculpture. The gallery showcases the work of regional artists, offering an ever-expanding collection. Featuring five painters and a sculptor, La Petite Gallerie presents an array of art, with many pieces extending into the adjacent garden. You might catch an artist at work on the shady garden deck.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Framing the Lowcountry 

Camellia Art Gallery

1 Office Way, Hilton Head; 45 Calhoun Street, Bluffton 

Founded in 1986 by Adrianne Lively, Camellia Art began as a small frame shop featuring local folk art. Over the years, it has evolved into an art gallery and custom framing studio, with locations on Hilton Head Island’s south end, within J. Banks Retail Showroom on Main Street and on Calhoun Street in Bluffton. Originally showcasing the work of just eight local artists, Camellia Art now represents over 30 artists.

Island inspirations

Art League of Hilton Head Gallery

14 Shelter Cove Lane

Founded in 1972 by Walter Greer, the Art League of Hilton Head is a nonprofit dedicated to visual arts. It offers a platform for artists at all stages of their careers to exhibit their work, inspire the community and gain insights from experienced art educators. Located mid-island within the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, the Art League Gallery features a diverse array of local artwork in various media, created by over 200 member artists. The gallery’s exhibits change monthly, and all pieces are available for purchase. It is open seven days a week and 90 minutes before any Arts Center performance.

Art on the edge

Endangered Arts

South Island Square

Clay and Julie Roberts created Endangered Arts in 1994 with the hope of exhibiting a diverse selection of fine art. The name Endangered Arts is a double entendre: the pieces are limited in quantity, “in danger of selling out,” and many of them highlight endangered species. The gallery showcases a wide variety of media, including bronze sculptures, glass pieces and limited edition and original artwork.

BEAUFORT

Where creativity shines

Thibault Gallery

815 Bay Street

Beaufort natives Mary and Eric Thibault founded their gallery in 2014 with a vision to create a space dedicated to both artistic creation and supporting fellow artists. Today the gallery represents 11 local artists, showcasing a range of artistic expressions. From intricately hand-painted wine glasses and giclée prints to photography, the gallery offers something to captivate every visitor. 

Art and tradition 

The Rhett Gallery

901 Bay Street

Billy and Nancy Rhett opened their Bay Street gallery in 1989, quickly capturing the interest of Beaufort locals with their diverse offerings. The gallery features a collection of family paintings, wood carvings, antique maps and historical prints. Nancy specializes in watercolor, Billy excels in oil paintings and wood carvings, their son, William, creates acrylic and watercolor pieces, and their daughter-in-law, Jamie, is a photographer.

Fine art with soul

Pinckney Simons Gallery

711 Bay Street

This gallery earned the title of “Best Art Gallery” in the Guide to South Carolina’s “Best of South Carolina 2024” list earlier this year. For over 40 years this family-owned and operated gallery has showcased contemporary artists from the region, with a special emphasis on capturing the beauty and essence of the Lowcountry. In addition to featuring original paintings, the gallery also offers a selection of sculptures, custom framing and jewelry.