Myrtle Beach. Bet Kindley, artist
September in the River Arts District offers a wealth of ways to spend the last languorous days of summer. The non-profit Local Cloth has declared September Sustainability Month and kicks events off with Bring Your Scraps Open Studio, on Saturday, September 2, from 1–5 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring fabric scraps, extra yarn, loose buttons and/or clothing items that need mending. Artist Libby O’Bryan will give a short talk on sustainability before the studio experience. Demonstrations on upcycling and mending skills will be held throughout the open studio. Local Cloth is located at 408 Depot Street.
Frida Gato. Li Newton, artist
Also on September 2, Andrea Kulish Wilhelm celebrates the 10-year anniversary of Studio A, at Pink Dog Creative from 3–6 p.m. Her working studio/gallery features pysanky eggs, mixed media artwork, notecards, gifts, jewelry and live demonstrations. To celebrate the anniversary, there will be giveaways, free refreshments and a special discount of 10 percent off of her work from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Second Saturday happens on September 9, with Maya Sozer of Art Garden AVL one of the many artists participating in a day that has come to be known for demonstrations, sales, exhibitions and other special events. Sozer will showcase her art featuring mark making with botanicals and acrylic ink. “I truly enjoy these events because they provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with art enthusiasts, to share my techniques and to receive value feedback,” Sozer says.
Gator Gal. Barbara Perez, artist
From 2–6 p.m. at Trackside Studios’ Atrium Gallery, a reception will be held for Ménagerie d’Artistes, a solo exhibition of work by collage artist Li Newton that honors great artists of the past and present who have influenced her artistically. “I’ve been working on this master artists series for a few months,” Newton says. “It’s the first time I’ve really instilled my humor into my work and, honestly, I’m having a blast.” The exhibition runs through September 30.
At Mark Bettis Studio and Gallery in the Wedge, Deb Williams will share her vision and inspirations as a glass maker from 1–3 p.m. “I will be talking with customers about the process of making my beautiful glass leaves,” Williams says, “from the moment I pick the perfect leaf specimen to the molding process, and then how that leaf is translated into glass. I will show how I embody the character of the original leaf while adding my own creative spark through color and texture.” The gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additional September events include the Plant Club Pop-Up Market at Art Garden AVL from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 16, and Surrender : Embrace, the work of Ginger Huebner, at Pink Dog Gallery, opening with a reception from 5–8 p.m. on Friday, September 29, and running through October 29.
For a complete schedule of events and times, a map and a studio guide to the district’s artists, visit RiverArtsDistrict.com. Studios have varying hours. Information may also be found at websites for studios and individual artists.
