Cover Artist

Each quarter we feature a local artist on the cover of High Tide's Guide to St. Simons Island. This has been our tradition since the first High Tide was published in the Summer of 1982. We have enjoyed sharing with our readers the many different views of island life as portrayed by so many talented artists over the years.

Cover Artist Louise Eaton This summer's cover artist is Louise Eaton and if you saw the posters for Glynn Art Association's Plein Air Affair you know her artwork - pastel paintings that shimmer with the magnificent light that makes this area our paradise.

Louise says, "There is a rhythm and energy in nature that makes every artistic experience for me an adventure. The way the sky is transformed day by day or the way the light and shadow does a dance through the trees and the wind gives our marshes their own subtle grace. This is the magic of Coastal Georgia that I seek to capture and share." Since moving here 20 years ago Louise has continued studying different media with talented artists as diversified and varied as Jeanne Szabo, Doug Dawson & Bill Hendrix. "My art interests have evolved since high school and through the years I have studied almost every media through classes and workshops around the country. For the last twenty years I have devoted my life to improving my skills and making art. I love the outdoors, but also enjoy studio painting. I tend to be connected to the landscape, especially the skies. Wherever there is a window of light, in my backyard or the Marshes of Glynn, I want to capture it in my painting." Louise has taken a very active role in teaching art and supporting this area's visual art organization, Glynn Art Association. As Artistic Director, she hangs all the monthly shows at the Glynn Art Gallery. When teaching she wants each student to enjoy the experience, striving to pass on all the knowledge that she has about the technique and medium, but still making the class fun. She has a strong bond with her artistic friends claiming that, "perhaps we have the same kind of brains!" When asked if she ever gets artist's block Louise laughed and said, "This rarely happens, but when it does, I turn my interest to other projects like rug hooking, quilting and gardening to name a few other creative outlets that I enjoy." "I have seen Coastal Georgia's art movement growing by leaps and bounds in the last twenty years, and you can understand why, this is Paradise whether you're an artist or not!"

In This Issue

Putt • Plunge • Play New Neptune Park Fun Zone 550 Beachview Dr., St. Simons Island Between the Pier & the Lighthouse Pool: 912-279-3720 Putt-Putt: 912-279-3721

Putt-Putt Open 7 days a week 1pm-9pm Daily Round - $7 per person Children 3 & under play free 10 round pass card - $50 Group Rates - $5 per person with 20 or more - must have reservation Swimming Pools Open 7 days a week 1pm-8pm Daily Pass - $7 per person Children 3 & under free with paid adult Chldren under 10 must be with adult Season passes available Swim lessons, lap swimming & water aerobics - call for times and rates Playground The playground is outside the pool and putt-putt area and is for families to enjoy free of charge. It has swings, a glider, as see-saw and a multi-level play area - all overlooking the beach and Atlantic Ocean!

27th Annual Labor Day Weekend Catfish Festival September 5, 6 &7, 2009 Kingsland, Georgia - I-95 South to Exit 3

Nothing goes better with crispy southern-fried catfish than a succulent serving of county music. And festival goers can feast on this and much more during Kingsland's 27th Annual Labor Day Weekend Catfish Festival which runs from Saturday through Monday each Labor Day weekend in September. Scheduled events include a parade, arts & crafts booths, southern fried and Cajun catfish, a variety of food booths, antiques and collectible, children's amusement area, a 5K run, a 25K & 50K bicycle ride, a classic car and tractor exhibition and the Lions Club's annual Pancake Breakfast. Every year Kingsland's Catfish Festival features FREE entertainment by nationally known artists. This year's festival entertainment is being planned and attendees will be in for a real treat! Previous year's headliners have included country music stars Tracy Lawrence, Gary Allan, Trace Adkins, Tracy Bird and Lee Ann Womack!! All weekend festival attendees will find plenty to tempt the palate. Menus range from the traditional hot dogs and hamburgers, fries and onion rings to barbecue, oriental fare, meats and veggie kabobs, chicken, sausage, boiled peanuts, funnel cakes, homemade ice cream and ice cold Coca-cola products. Of course with a name like "Catfish Festival" the main attraction has to be the mouth-watering, southern fried, farm-raised catfish dinners, served all weekend with coleslaw, hush puppies, grits and iced tea. This family fun event is the largest festival in Camden County and attracts a crowd of over 75,000 people throughout the weekend. A four-time winner of the Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Events" and three-time award winner of the American Bus Association's "Top 100 Events in North America", this festival proves to be a wonderful three- day weekend for the entire family. There is never an admission fee and parking is always free, so plan to come and enjoy a fun-filled weekend in Kingsland, Georgia! For complete schedule of events including the entertainment schedule, contact the Kingsland Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-433-0225 or visit www.VisitKingsland.com.

Bringing live theatre to the Golden Isles since 1956 Season Membership Tickets NOW available for the 2009 -2010 Season Casino Theatre St. Simons Island 912-638-0338 Join the area's oldest non-profit performing arts organization and come to the Young People's Summer Workshop production of "Abner Twitch from Chitlin' Switch". This original play written for the YPSW production by a local author features between 80 and 100 young people from ages 8 to 18. An old fashioned melodrama, this production features a villain, a hero, a lost child and plenty of audience participation! With a surprise ending and a rousing sing-a-long, it's a sure crowd pleaser! Performance Dates are July 15, 16, 17, 18 (two performances), 19 and 22, 23, 24, 25 (two performances) and 26. All Performances are at the Casino Theatre, St. Simons Island. To become a season member of The Island Players, purchase your 2009 - 2010 Season Tickets - now available at an early bird SPECIAL price through August 31st for $40 for the entire season - (four shows)! That's a 50% discount off the box office prices! Tickets can be obtained by calling 912-638-0338 or viewing our website at www.theislandplayers.com Three other levels of membership are being offered: Corporate (8tickets per show) for $600, Benefactor (4 tickets per show) for $350; Angel (1 ticket per show) for $80. All levels receive "Curtain Call", the organization's newsletter quarterly, admission to each show before the box office opens, and the privilege to vote by mail or in person at the annual membership meeting in March, 2010, for the plays to be produced during the 2010-2011 season. Because The Island Players is a 501(3) c not for profit organization, a tax deduction can be taken if purchasing Angel, Benefactor, and Corporate memberships. All 4 of the season's plays will be presented at the Casino Theatre on St. Simons Island. This will be the Players' 53rd season serving the Golden Isles community. The 2009-2010 season's plays will be: "Guys and Dolls" based on characters by Damon Runyon, Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser. Oct. 23, 24, 29, 30, 31, Nov 5, 6 & 7 at 8:00 pm & Sun matinees Oct. 25, Nov 1 & 8 at 3 pm. "Witness for the Prosecution" a mystery thriller by Agatha Christie. Performances: Jan 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 & 23, 2010 at 8:00 pm and Jan 10, 17 & 24 at 3:00 pm "Come Blow Your Horn" a comedy by Neil Simon. Performances March 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, & 27 at 8:00 pm and March 14, 21, & 28 at 3:00 pm. "You Can't Take it With You" a comedy by Moss Hart and George Kaufman. Performances: May 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, & 29, 2010 at 8:00 pm and May 16, 23, & 30, 2010 at 3:00 pm. DON'T FORGET: Season tickets are now available through August 31st at the early bird prices. So get yours today by calling 912-638-0338 or by visiting www.theislandplayers.com The Island Players is a 501(3)c not for profit community arts organization which has been bringing quality live theatre performances to the coast of Georgia since 1956. The Island Players is governed by an all volunteer Board of Directors and gets its funding through grants, corporate and private donations, membership subscriptions, and box office receipts.

Out of the Sand...Original Art Glynn Art Gallery Where our artists have sand between their toes and the finest artwork on the Coast! Summer in the St. Simons Island Village and you still have to pick out presents for showers, weddings, and birthdays! Where to go? Glynn Art Gallery on Mallery right next door to the 4th of May Restaurant! What to buy? Originals! Not from China! Artwork that some of the finest artists and craftsmen in this area have created just for you! Whether it is jewelry by Lisa Kent, pottery by Debbie Craig or any of the many Glynn Art pottery studio artists, a St. Simon's oak pen by Roy Yarger or paintings by any of the 180 juried artists - Glynn Art's gallery on Mallery has something for everyone. Come by the gallery Monday through Saturday from 9am-5pm. Have a burning desire to try a new media or technique? Check out the Glynn Art web site www.glynnart.org for classes in sculpting, watercolor, oils, acrylics, and pottery, to name a few of the possibilities. Glynn Art has classes and workshops for adults and children. Also check out the incredible exhibitions that Glynn Art will feature this summer. In July the Coastal Photography Guild will host the "Big Photo Show" with an opening reception July 2 from 5-7pm. August's show is "Reflections" featuring artists Marquita Macon, Marjett Schille, and Michael Lewis and their opening reception will be August 6 from 5-7pm. A perennial favorite show is September's "Juried Artists' Show" presenting all Glynn Art's 200+ juried artists. If fall is a favorite season for you to visit the Golden Isles, be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11 for the 40th Annual Art and Sol Golden Isles Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. The best artists and craftsmen from the Southeast will have amazing artwork for sale. Under the oaks in Postell Park there will be sights and smells to delight everyone!