Feature Articles


November Issue 2000

Works by Hetty P. Nijman at Beaufort County Library Gallery in Beaufort, SC

Hetty P. Nijman will be the featured artist at the Art Among the Books Gallery inside the Beaufort County Library in Beaufort, SC, through Nov. 28, 2000. Nijman's work will be shown with works by other Beaufort Art Association member artists. The BAA sponsors these exhibits which provide a venue for the work of its members.

Born in the Netherlands among the gunshots of war and the smell of turpentine from her father's atelier, Nijman immigrated to Canada as a young adult, married and had two daughters, all the while pursuing her interest in art on a part-time basis. Eventually the family moved to the US and with this move came the opportunity to go back to school. Nijman earned an Associates Degree from the College of DuPage County, a BA in Art at Northern Illinois University and also attended Graduate School there for one year.

Nijman has lived in the Lowcountry of South Carolina for ten years now and says she feels right at home. After all, her land of birth also is a low country, also presenting a landscape of water and boats. So it is no wonder she has an ongoing interest in these subjects, which is evident in her work, but "that's not all there is!"

In the past, Nijman has belonged to and exhibited with the DuPage Art League (Wheaton, IL). More currently she has taken workshops with artists such as Charlie Sharpe, Al Stine, Judy Betz, Mary Whyte, Don Andrews, Carol Meyers and, last but not least, Canadian artist Anne van Mierlo, who also happens to be her sister. "It was fun being in a workshop that was led by my baby sister, seeing her in action as a teacher and noticing how well she was liked and received by the members of the Beaufort Art Association."

From all these instructors, Nijman has learned a lot, but mostly that art is a solitary road. One can learn about color harmony, art and design principles and various techniques, but these aspects are nothing more than tools. With these tools, an artist has to do the work and discover where it will take her. Nijman says, "My art is a work in progress. I have no particular narrow focus, but feel I am on a road of discovery. Every step I take opens ten new possibilities and, for the time being, I want the luxury of 'going with the flow.' At the same time, there is a persistent interest in shapes and abstraction."

The works presented at this exhibit are watercolors, although lately Nijman has branched out into acrylics. Printmaking has been another ongoing interest.

The Beaufort Art Association continues to play a large role in Nijman's life. She has filled many positions within the organization, including that of President. Currently she holds the position of Library Gallery Co-Chair. As she says: "I have found that I need to make my friends among the people who occupy themselves with the arts in one way or another. Those are the people who 'see' life differently and who share with me the excitement that can be found in the world of art."

For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings or call the gallery at 843/525-4000.

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