The Society of Bluffton Artists will honor the life and legacy of Betty Thorpe Hintz, one of the seven founding members of SOBA and a beloved Lowcountry artist, with a special exhibition featuring her artwork and prints from Jan. 5 to Feb. 1 at the SOBA Gallery, located at 6 Church Street in Old Town Bluffton.
The Hintz family has generously donated Betty's work to the gallery. Proceeds from all sales will be directed to our campaign fund to find a new permanent home for the SOBA Gallery.
Betty Thorpe Hintz was born in Chicago in 1924 and lived a remarkable global life before settling in Bluffton in 1985. Her journey took her to Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa, Singapore, and Bermuda, where she raised her family, worked in community organizations, and immersed herself in the cultures around her. She learned multiple languages, volunteered extensively, and embraced every opportunity to grow.
Art remained a constant thread throughout her life. Betty painted, china-painted, exhibited widely, and supported the local arts community. She was a founding member of the Society of Bluffton Artists and the Guild of Bluffton Artists. Her solo show, East of Suez, marked her 90th birthday and reflected her deep connection to the places she lived and loved.
Betty graduated from the University of South Carolina at age 71 and later taught courses on the art and culture of Southeast Asia. She stayed active in Bluffton’s cultural, social, and environmental circles for decades. Her curiosity, generosity, and energy touched friends, neighbors, and many who only met her once.
“Betty gave so much to SOBA and to this community,” said the Hintz family. “Sharing her artwork with the gallery keeps her spirit alive in the place she loved.”
The January exhibit will showcase a curated selection of her paintings and prints that reflect her world travels and artistic range.
The public is invited to visit the exhibit at SOBA Gallery throughout January.