‘Bird Land’ on display on Hilton Head, plus other happenings on the local arts scene
If you happened to be at the Post Office in Bluffton on a windy day in February, you may have noticed the storied Low Country artist, Louanne LaRoche, and an assistant moving 28 bulky, but carefully wrapped packages, in all sizes and shapes into the crowded ante room. And you might have assumed that they were shipping them off, based on their careful cosseting, numbers of her paintings to a gallery, somewhere west of Bluffton.
This will surprise you! Louanne was seeing to the hands-on care of the “Outsider Artwork” of paintings from her collection of the work of Zebedee Armstrong, whose outcomes are fascinating, important and collectible … in a triumph of understatement.
Louanne was fully involved in a very critical focus apart from her painting, in the studying, collecting, documenting, even authoring books and articles, or lecturing about artists, generally … and “Outsider, American Artists,” specifically.
Someone said that Louanne LaRoche is a documentarian at heart, and I add that she is a chronicler of artwork, which has captured her enthusiasm for many of her years as a young person, a student, a traveler, a gallery owner, and certainly as an artist during all of those ancillary experiences.
Louanne’s gallery is tucked away at river’s edge, just down the road from the historic town of Bluffton. One step through the front door reveals the kinds of artwork she cares about. Further into her studio, you’ll take in so much you’ll want to know about her, her artwork and the artwork that fascinates her. It’s filled to the brim with artwork, antiques, books and artist designed projects.
The works of Zebedee Armstrong: Louanne met Mr. and Mrs. Webb of the Webb Gallery during the early 1990’s when they frequently encountered each other at a series of exhibitions, sales, and meet-ups with those who shared the same interests in so many ways. Their love of American Outsider Art was a continuing theme in their lasting friendship.
“The Webbs came by my studio to visit and to drop off a baby gift for our son, Cash. They enjoyed being here, seeing me in my setting, and we determined to stay in closer touch,” said Louanne. “And we did, and because we all felt a deep admiration for the American Outsider Artist, Zebedee Armstrong, and because they knew I had a substantial collection of his work, we all agreed that at some time they would like to exhibit his work in their gallery in Waxahatchi, Texas, a short distance from Austin.”
Zebedee Armstrong’s work is characterized by painting and over painting almost anything. Clocks, radios, refrigerators, even canvases! He was a carpenter, a very religious man, a member of the Solomon-Hodges Burial Society, who lived a simple life, and was married to the love of his life.
When she became seriously ill, and passed on, it impacted him so deeply, that from that moment forward, and as a contributing experience he expressed, he became focused on the concept of the passage of time. Much of his work seems to reference calendars and grids and pathways and numbers. His work will be exhibited throughout the year.
Featured performance
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (photo)
What do you get when you have a hilarious script featuring short vignettes about relationships, four talented local actors and a very worthy cause? One fun event!
The Main Stage Community Theatre is bringing “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” to both Hilton Head and Bluffton venues for one weekend only (March 11-13).
I Love, You. You’re Perfect, Now Change, is a musical comedy with book and lyrics by Joe Di Pietro and music by Jimmy Roberts. It is the second-longest running Off-Broadway musical and follows the highs and the lows of first dates, first loves, marriage, babies, in-laws and growing old together.
Daniel Cort, vice chairman of the board and one of the featured actors notes, “We love the fact that it is a series of short vignettes and features so many fun characters and relatable content. It’s like Saturday Night Live to music. The writing is fabulous, and the songs range from sweet and touching to comedic genius.”
The goal of the production is to not only provide a fun, light evening of music and laughter, and proceeds from the show will go to the ongoing fundraising efforts for the Live Oak Performing Arts Center, slated for Bluffton Village (near the Bluffton Post Office).
The overall project has sustained COVID-related challenges including the increasing construction costs due to a shortage of materials, but to date, they have nearly hit the halfway mark in the overall fundraising goal. “This will be such a spectacular event.”
The performing arts
Main Stage Community Theatre
LEGALLY BLOND, JR. … The Musical
Music and lyrics by Laurene O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin. Book by Heather Hach. Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture.
Legally Blonde is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
Directors: Mark Erickson and Alex Clark. Musical Director: Joshua Wall. Choreographer: Victoria K. Montgomery.
MARCH 4-6, 2022. Tickets: $25 adults, $15 students $5 under 8
Hilton Head Preparatory School, Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main St., Hilton Head Island, S.C., 29926. Information online at www.mainstagecommunitytheatre.org to purchase tickets or call the box office at 843-689-6246, email: info@msctheatre.org.
The Lean Ensemble
DOUBT
The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner by John Patrick Shaney and directed by Nakeilsha Daniel, features Jennifer Brown, Jonathan Dyrud, Katherine le Roay and Peggy Trecker White.
A rigidly conservative nun tasks herself with investigating allegations of misconduct between a beloved and progressive parish priest and one of the students in his care.
John Patrick Shanley delves into the murky shadows of moral certainty, always balancing the thin line between truth and consequences. Doubt is an exquisite, potent drama that will raise questions and answer none, leaving the rest of us to grapple with the discomfort of uncertainties.
March 24-27, 2022 — one weekend only, HHPS Main Street Theatre, For Ticket Options Visit www.leanensemble.org or call at 843 715 6676
Hilton Head International Piano competition
The Road to Carnegie Hall
ROUND I: March 7-14, 2022 (ages 18-30)
20 pianists compete for $34,000 in cash prizes and a concert at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, a return engagement with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, and a CD recording on the Steinway & Sons label.
Monday, March 7 & Tuesday, March 8, 1-4:35 p.m. and 7-9:05 p.m., St. Luke’s Church open seating. Tickets $10 (Students Free)
ROUND II: Wednesday, March 9 & Thursday, March 10, 1-4:45 p.m. and 7:30-9:15 p.m., St. Luke’s Church – open seating.
ROUND III (semi finals): Saturday March 12, 1-4:45 p.m. and 7:30-9:15 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, reserved seating. Tickets $35 and $25 (students free).
ROUND IV (Finals and awards ceremony):
Concert with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, John Morris Russell, music director. Monday, March 14, 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, reserved seating. Tickets $65, $50 and $25 (students $10).
MASTER CLASSES AND LECTURE/RECITAL
Friday, March 11, 8:30 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. and 1:10-4:45 p.m. Lecture/recital with Jon Kimura Parker, jury chair, fantasies three ways, St. Luke’s Church, Tickets $10 (students free) Go to HHIPC.org or call the box office at 832-842-2066.
Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
RANKY TANKY
Showcasing Lowcountry rhythms, blues, and jazz, the Grammy-award-winning band Ranky Tanky comes to the Arts Center stage March 10 for an exciting evening of upbeat music you won’t want to miss.
“Charlotte Ballet” named the highest rated touring company in the U.S. March 25 at the Arts Center.
Hilton Head Christian Academy
“THE WIZ”
Hilton Christian Academy’s (HHCA) Fine Arts team will bring one of the most famous stories of all time to life when it presents The Wizard of Oz next month at the Seahawk Cultural Center on Hilton Head Island. Four shows will be offered from Thursday, March 17 through Saturday, March 19, 2022.
Tickets are available in advance at hhca.org
First Presbyterian Church
NAVAL ACADEMY GLEE CLUB RETURNS
“U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club Returns” returns to Hilton Head March 16, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church. The concert program is a wonderful variety of music — ranging from choral classics, music for the men’s and women’s ensembles, patriotic favorites, a-capella ensembles to include a barbershop quartet, and a few concert surprises!
For more information contact: Richard Foster 201-704-3095
The visual arts
LUFF MUDD GALLERY
You are invited to join Pluff Mudd Art Gallery in celebrating its 20th anniversary, Thursday, April 7, from 4–7 p.m. Contact Nancy Patrick Carney 612-961-7075, Vickie Jourdan 843-540-1833
OUR CORNERS FINE ART AND FRAMING
The Local Ladies Show will remain in place through March 8. There are works in a variety of mediums created by Sally Hickman, Leslie Dyas, Fran Kaminsky, Susie Chisholm, Rhonda Yono, Nancy Dwight, Nancy Waterhouse, Karen Dale, Marge Agin, Holly Bjorkstrom, Barbara Tedford, Martha Worthy and Pam Brickell Johnson. 1263 May River Road, Bluffton, S.C. For Information: fourcornersbluffton@gmail.com or 843 7578 8185.
JCOSTELLO GALLERY
David Leas installation, now in place, “Elemental Experience or Change”, will capture your imagination, as it did to all who attended at an opening reception. Last month. His work is artistically in place on the JCostello Gallery walls. REDFISH, 8 Archer Road, Hilton Head Island, S.C. Call 843 686 6550
LA PETITE GALLERIE
a Petite Gallerie, an intimate Old Town Bluffton shop featuring local art, continues to introduce you to the gallery artists.
This month the gallery is featuring Murray Sease, one of the original five La Petite Gallerie members. A graphic designer for years, Murray has pivoted to following her passion – painting in oil on canvas the people, animals, and places representing who and what made her fall in love with the lowcountry.
Visit La Petite Gallerie to see Murray’s work as well as that of the other gallery artists at 56 Calhoun St., Bluffton. For more information, please visit lapetitegallerie.com.
SOBA
SOBA;S 28th Annual Judged Show: 100 selections from among all entries in six categories. Call for entries deadline is March 1. An awards ceremony will be held March 9, 5-7 p.m. SOBA Gallery, 6 Church St., Old Town Bluffton. Visit sobagallery.com or call 843-757-3776.
ART BEYOND TRADITION
Art Beyond Tradition: Interpretations — An exhibit of abstract works by 12 local artists, now through March 6. Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head.
RED PIANO GALLERY
here is an expanded list of artists, new and familiar, who are exhibiting at The Red Piano Gallery. Look forward to a close-up look at the impressive work of several who have been recently featured.
Particularly Noteworthy is the new work of: Michael B. Karas, Christy Kinard, Sonja Griffin Evans, Joseph Orr, Betty Anglin Smith and a Jonathan Green book!
ART LEAGUE OF HILTON HEAD
Local award-winning painter, Addison Palmer, on exhibit this spring. Addison’s paintings honoring 50 years on display at Art League Gallery, featured March and April 2022.
Reception will be March 16 from 5-7 p.m. Details to come. For information: 843-681-5060.
This story was originally published March 2, 2022 at 4:55 AM.