Wellard: History of the Art League of Hilton Head

More than four decades ago, a group of nine arts enthusiasts met at the Red Piano Gallery on Cordillo Parkway to consider the idea of creating an art league on Hilton Head Island.

They scheduled their meeting to coincide with an exhibit of the paintings by island artist Walter Greer. The event was held at the Hilton Head Inn.

It was March of 1972.

A group of about 30 were there. They elected Gretchen Ramsey president and named Kathryn Hodgman with Inga Owen program chairmen.

By May 24, the Hilton Head Art League was fully operational.

The organization grew to a high oof more than 800 members and offered artists and the expanding community a rich artistic experience. Fund raising became a focus, too, and a series of events and donor campaigns were staged to support the league and the growing community.

The league held its meetings and events throughout the community, but in 1983, the group was offered office space in Sea Pines. Over time, the league created and offered more workshops, children's workshops, juried shows, the iconic Arts and Flowers Show, and the Fabulous Fakes Event. Later there were special programs with the schools, special scholarships and art tours. The league also received gifts and donations which has led to the continuation and expansion of their programs.

When the Self Family Arts Center -- now the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina -- opened, the beginning of a long and valuable relationship began to develop.

In the meantime, more special events were put in place.

"There was a spirit of partnership with the community," said Diann Wilkinson. "There was a certain mood in the early days of the Hilton Head Art League where place and lifestyle played into what ultimately became one of the largest and most important cultural groups on the island."

This story was originally published September 24, 2015 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Wellard: History of the Art League of Hilton Head."