What says South Carolina more than WATER and WOODS? This all-encompassing title is the theme for an exhibition of paintings in oil, acrylic, gouache, and pastel by Lowcountry artist Tom Van Steenbergh opening January 8^th at the Beaufort Art Association Gallery.

            Born and raised in New Jersey, Tom is an alumnus of the prestigious Cooper Union Art School in New York City. And it was in the City where he worked for 40 years as an Art Director for several top agencies, conceptualizing, designing and producing ads and commercials for such clients as Chemical Bank, Paine Webber, Crane Corporation, CF&I Steel, US Air Force, Guard and Reserve, Martin Marietta Aerospace, ITT Communications, Westinghouse Corporation, Forbes Magazine, Orrefors Crystal, Heineken Beer, Remy Martin, and Champagne Krug.

            Now retired from advertising, Tom devotes his time and abilities to creating image of his adopted home, the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

            As an active member and past president of the Beaufort Art Association, Tom has had the joy of painting the area's live oaks and palms, woodland trails and pine forests, beaches, calm seas and stormy waves and skies, and the well-researched square-rigged sailing ships of his sea-adventure imagination.

            As Tom noted, "From drawing and painting a visual description of what an advertiser would see in print or TV of his message, I've become a delineator of not just the item or service that was being offered by the client, but the imaged idea of what made the product or service unique or ideal. That's what I can now enjoy doing with the natural wonders of what we see here in the Lowcountry.”

            Tom loves his life in the Lowcountry and wants to share his images with you in this exhibit, which runs through the end of February. A wine and cheese reception will be held on Friday, January 8^th from 5:30 – 7:30. The public is invited to attend.

            For more information about the “Water and Woods” exhibit or the organization in general, please visit www.BeaufortArtAssociation.com or call the BAA Gallery at 843-521-4444.