Painting by Virginia Cassidy
The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) will present Quiet Contemplation with Expressive Flair, a special collaborative exhibition featuring paintings by artist Virginia Cassidy paired with handcrafted jewelry designs by Doris Jones Vargas.
The exhibition will be on display July 5 through August 1 at the SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton. An artist reception will take place from 4-6 p.m. July 10, where guests can meet the artists while enjoying wine and light hors d’oeuvres.
At the heart of the exhibition is Quiet Contemplation, a five-panel painting series created by Cassidy that forms a unified scene filled with luminous color, peaceful imagery, and touches of whimsy. Inspired by the paintings, Vargas designed a complementary Expressive Flair jewelry collection using images from Cassidy’s original artwork to create one-of-a-kind wearable art pieces.
Each jewelry design includes a signed and numbered reference card identifying the original painting that inspired the piece, creating a unique connection between the visual artwork and the handcrafted accessories.
The original Quiet Contemplation collection will also be offered for sale during the exhibition, with proceeds benefiting SOBA’s “forever home” capital campaign fund.
Working from her home studio in Bluffton, Cassidy is a self-taught acrylic and mixed media artist who began painting full time after retiring from a career in business consulting in 2019. Her work ranges from landscapes and florals to abstract compositions that emphasize color, texture, and imagination. Cassidy is an exhibiting member of both SOBA and the Art League of Hilton Head.
“For me, art is like magic,” Cassidy said. “Everything I create comes from imagination, intuition, and exploration. Every blank canvas holds the promise of a new adventure.”
Vargas completed her undergraduate degree in visual arts from Central Michigan University and Master’s degree in elementary education from Grand Canyon University. She currently teaches elementary school in the Jasper County School District. Her Expressive Flair collection combines her passion for design with wearable artistic storytelling through handcrafted earrings inspired by Cassidy’s paintings.
The SOBA Gallery is open to the public and features rotating exhibitions from local and regional artists throughout the year.