Gallery to host farewell art show for Babs Ludwick; reception Jan. 18

Sunset River Marketplace, the eclectic art gallery in Calabash, will present Send-Off For Babs, a special exhibition of works by Calabash artist Babs Ludwick, who will be leaving the area in February. The show will run from Friday, January 18 through Saturday, January 26. Opening reception will be Friday, January 18 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Babs works in watercolor, acrylic and mixed media. She is known for her highly creative vision and an innovative approach to her colorful and thought-provoking art. Her motto is “Do what makes your heart beat.”

About her work, she says, “The creative process is as mysterious as the unfolding of life – the revealing of an emotion, passion or a surprise. When I first began painting, I pretended I was five years old (because five-year-olds don’t now what they can’t do).”

In addition to her art, Babs has been involved in the local Beach Music and Shag community since moving here in 1990 with singer/songwriter husband Calabash Flash, who became something of a local legend before sadly passing away in 2017. His tune and tribute to Babs, “One Track Mind,” was nominated for a Carolina Beach Music Award. During his career, he also opened for singers from the Beach Boys at North Myrtle Beach’s MayFest event and performed at the Carolina Beach Music Awards at the Alabama Theater, also in North Myrtle Beach.

Babs has depicted several local dance spots and eateries in her paintings, including Fat Harold’s on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, Captain Poo’s  (now Captain Archie’s) in Little River,  and Big E’s in Longs.

Included in the show will be Babs’ original Fat Harold’s watercolor painting, along with several more watercolors, acrylic abstracts, mixed media pieces, original one-of-a-kind notecards and prints.

Babs adds, “I will also have mementos from Flash and I am re-releasing his last CD, One Day At a Time, which will also be available.”

Gallery owner Ginny Lassiter, says, “We love Babs and we’re going to miss her terribly,” “She’s one of a kind! And her reception will be, too. The date falls during Mid-Winter S.O.S [one of the annual beach music events], so we’ve scheduled it from 4 to 6 p.m. in between activities. We want to give her a proper send-off, so please join us!”

Sunset River Gallery