The gallery is featuring works by William West as our Artist Spotlight from June 29 through August 29. Known primarily for his work in watercolor, Bill also enjoys acrylic paints, which are what will be on display here. A native of Durham, NC, Bill left for 20 years, graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, entered the ad business in New York City, then Atlanta, and then San Antonio . He won many national creative awards. After selling his own advertising agency business, he immersed himself in painting and enjoys painting a number of different subjects. He says, “Through my journey as an artist I’m continually looking, studying ,and learning and believe that’s part of being an artist. You must always keep growing and painting and painting and painting. What gets me into a subject is the light and darks, the atmosphere ,and the story you want to tell . It should not just be a pretty picture. My biggest challenge is to find or create a painting that does all three, to bring a viewer into the painting and connect with something about the story idea and see themselves there. If I accomplish a smile all the better.”
Sunset River Gallery offers an annual open call for artists wishing to exhibit with us. The effort for 2026 is now complete with over 100 artists applying from North and South Carolina. Gallery director Samantha Spalti and her team, after sorting through emails, images, biographies, and interviews, have invited 14 of this talented pool to join the gallery family. The first group of new SRG artists have brought their work in and are announced here. We expect the remainder to be announced over the next few weeks. (This post will be updated at that time) The new artists and their full biographies will be added shortly to the Artist section of the Sunset River Gallery website. In the meantime, please help us welcome this phenomenal group to the gallery! (Shown above: detail, The Garden of Miracles, Marsha Hoffman, mixed media 30×40)
Join us for an evening of live jazz by AfterHours band in the artistic atmosphere you can only experience here at Sunset River Gallery. AfterHours is a local band of seasoned musicians you may have seen performing here in Brunswick County. The popular ensemble will bring their musical stylings to the gallery for two hours of standards. Sunset River Gallery is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW (NC179) in Calabash, NC. Telephone number is 910.575.5999. Updates on the gallery’s Facebook and Instagram pages
We’re excited to host a gallery talk by Therese Bisceglia, Kathleen V Stuart, Michelle McKnight Davis, and Kathleen Spicer. The four artists are being featured in the gallery’s current show, Distinctive Aesthetics: Exploring Four Artistic Narratives. These are four good friends with four wildly different approaches to their art – the common thread being that they each upend the concept of mixed media, using tools and materials to build their layered pieces in very unexpected fashion. After an introduction by gallery director Samantha Spalti, a panel discussion among the artists coupled with Q&A from the audience is sure to result in a lively exchange. Due to increased interest in the show, it has been extended through Saturday, March 28. Please note, this is a free event, but seating is limited, so we ask that you to RSVP. Please call the gallery at 910.575.5999.
This is the second of what will hopefully be a monthly workshop/conclave (LOL). Sam is more facilitator than instructor as she guides you to trusting your intuition to develop your art practice. It’ll be a new experience every time. What you work on depends on what you need. And if you don’t know what you need, we can help you figure that out, too! Limited to 10 participants per session. Bring your own snack or lunch.
Sunday, March 8, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. with a break (Bring lunch / snacks). $45 per session | non-refundable | Bring your own supplies
We’re pleased and excited to host the Waterway Art Association 35th Annual Spring Show & Sale. The show runs from Monday, April 20 to Saturday, April 25, with an opening reception & awards presentation on the 20th from 5 – 7 p.m. The show will include works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, graphite, pen & ink, and mixed media. We hope you’ll come by to support this group of accomplished local artists. For additional information visit waterway art.org or email Questionswaa@gmail.com
This group show featuring work by Sunset River Gallery artists includes both wall art and three-dimensional pieces. All pieces in this show are text-based. Every artist has incorporated some kind of text into their artwork. It might be poetry, phrases, quotes, political text, a personal message, or something else!. We think you’ll be surprised at the scope of the work. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, April 11 from 2 – 4 p.m. The public is invited and there is no charge. It’s a great opportunity to meet the artists and talk about the work! We hope to see you! Shown: Fragile State by Chantal Tomiello, acrylic, 30×30.
We’re featuring works by abstract acrylic artist Ginny Kelly Lassiter from April 20 – June 20. The owner of Sunset River Marketplace for 20 years, she sold the gallery in 2022 giving her much needed time to focus on her own artwork. This popular artist finds inspiration in the shapes and shadows of structural elements influenced by forms and spaces. Ginny, who received her art degree from East Carolina University said, “I love the process of painting abstracts, the spontaneity of it and I embrace the value of limiting my palette.” Ginny has taught here at the gallery as well as Wilson Community College and Barton College, both in Wilson, NC. She has also judged and juried shows for Sunset Vision, Art League of Leland, and in Wilmington, NC. Her work has been featured on the covers of Carolina Arts Magazine and Art Guide Magazine. She has also been profiled in Sasee Magazine and South Brunswick Magazine. Be sure to come by and enjoy her featured work!
We are offering two five-week pottery sessions running Feb. 20 – March 20 for experienced potters. The morning session from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. is on the wheel. The afternoon session from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. is for hand-building. Bring your own tools, and please note there are no make-up classes. $185 class fee plus clay. Non-refundable. Sign up on the Instruction tab or call the gallery at 910.575.5999.
Don’t miss our special Artist Spotlight display featuring SC artist Roseann Bellinger from Feb. 9 – April 11. Roseann works primarily in acrylic but you’ll find her painting in oil as well. Roseann’s coastal marshscapes and still life compositions depict a vivid path of light and vibrant abstracts. Citing influences that include Asher Brown Durand, Claude Monet, and Robert Motherwell, the artist says, “It is the challenge of conveying an emotion to the viewer that constantly drives me. Weaving vibrant color and texture through my paintings helps achieve that goal. Gallery hours are Monday _ Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. See you soon!
