Calling all Lowcountry artists: showcase your talent at SOBA’s 31st Annual Judged Show
If you’re an artist in the Lowcountry, it’s time to bring your best work forward! The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) is gearing up for its 31st Annual Judged Show, an event that celebrates local creativity while giving artists the chance to compete for top honors.
This highly anticipated competition will feature cash prizes for first, second, and third place in a variety of categories, including:
• Oil
• Acrylic
• Watercolor
• Drawing (Pencil, Colored Pencil, Pastel, Pen/Ink)
• Photography & Digital Art
• Mixed Media & Collage
• 3-D Art (Ceramic, Clay, Wood, Resin, Wire, Papier-Mâché, Stained Glass)
For those interested in participating, registration is required and can be completed online at https://sobagallery.com/product/31st-annual-judged-show-2025/. The contest is open to all artists, with an entry fee of $25 for SOBA members and $75 for non-members. The deadline to register is February 23, and all artwork must be dropped off at the SOBA Art School (8 Church St., Bluffton, SC) on March 3 from 9-11 a.m. No entries will be accepted after the deadline.
This year’s judge is none other than renowned watercolor artist Jan Ross. With formal training from the Chicago Academy of Art, Ross has studied under some of the country’s leading watercolorists, including Judy Betts, John Salminen, and Mary Whyte. Her illustrious career spans over 500 exhibitions at the local, national, and international levels, and she holds Signature Memberships in multiple watercolor societies. In 2023, she achieved a personal milestone—exhibiting her work in all 50 U.S. states.
The Judged Show exhibition will run from March 3-30 at the SOBA Gallery, with an awards ceremony on March 5 from 4-6 p.m. This celebration is free and open to the public, offering art lovers the perfect opportunity to admire the talent within our community. For participating artists, unsold artwork can be picked up on March 31 from 9-11 a.m. at the SOBA Art School.
For more details, including a full list of rules, visit https://sobagallery.com/2025-judged-show/. Whether you’re an artist looking to showcase your work or an admirer of local art, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
About The Society of Bluffton Artists:
SOBA is the heart of the flourishing art hub in Old Town Bluffton’s historic district at the corner of Church and Calhoun streets. As a non-profit art organization, SOBA offers regular art classes, featured artist shows, exhibitions, scholarships, outreach programs and more. The gallery is located at 6 Church Street and is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays. Please visit www.sobagallery.com for a complete calendar of events and other information or call 843-757-6586.
