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.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
Subscriptions are available for $18 a year.
Carolina Arts
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Copyright© 2000 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston
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