Twenty years ago, a group of local artists came together to form Arts on the Coast, a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing creativity in Richmond Hill and coastal Georgia. Among the original board members were opera singers, pianists, chefs, dance instructors, actors, and visual artists. One of them was Carol Hartley—a gifted painter, photographer and educator whose influence helped shape the region's artistic identity.

"Carol was part of the beginning," recalls Arts on the Coast president Sarah Volker. "Most members were still working full time, but everyone shared a passion for the arts. That passion lit the flame that became Arts on the Coast."

Carol built her home on the Ogeechee River in 1976—not a surprising move for someone who had grown up on the shores of New England and undoubtedly had saltwater running through her veins. She raised her three sons, Garrett, Vincent and Dustin, on the banks of the river while working as an art educator for more than 31 years.

Garrett remembers her not just as a mother, but as a force of creativity. "She did everything: clay, photography, painting, all the things. I think I took my mom's ability for granted because I saw it every day. When you really got a chance to sit back and watch her teach, it was so impressive… a gift. It really was, and she was really good at it," Garrett reminisces. "She was such a tough woman—fiercely independent."

A descendant of master plaster craftsman P.P. Caproni and Charles Dana Gibson, the famed illustrator behind the iconic symbol of the independent American woman—The Gibson Girl—Carol grew up immersed in art. Her mother was a painter, and her family operated a large hotel in Connecticut named The Motowese.

"She said it sometimes felt like she was living in a majestic castle, and I am sure that experience fed her creativity and followed her into her creative art career," said her long-time cherished friend, Debbie Hallman.

Carol's art career began to take hold in retirement. She formed an after-school art camp in her garage for children and hosted Picasso for a Night classes for adults.

"I think Carol's legacy will be that of creating artists of all ages and styles, by sharing not only her abilities, but also her kind and gentle nature. She never taught a child or adult in which she did not take an honest, heartfelt interest," says Debbie.

Having taught Pre-K through 8th grade in Richmond Hill for three decades, Carol's impact rippled through the community. Her love of education continued throughout her career. I remember her excitement after taking a still-life workshop with artist Darcy Melton. She had studied an apple, the way the light hit it, and found the course so informative that she organized a workshop for Arts on the Coast artists to learn from Darcy, too.

Carol's dedication to furthering the arts in Richmond Hill is immeasurable. An active board member of Arts on the Coast until she passed, she also spent many years with the Savannah Art Association. She participated in every quarterly meeting, helped hang nearly all the shows and showed up whenever we needed an extra set of hands.

"It used to be a joke that she was in every magazine because there were loads of photos of her in the back, and we'd count how many times she was in there," says Garrett with a laugh.

Carol frequently displayed work at notable events like the Isle of Hope Art & Music Festival, Cohen's Retreat and SLAM Art Festival. She never slowed down. One of the last memories I treasure with Carol is a trip to Amelia Island where we installed artwork at the new Sax & Blue Boutique. She simply didn't slow down. Which is why news of her sudden passing struck such a chord with the community. Arts on the Coast lost a founding member, and Richmond Hill lost a true treasure.

I asked Garrett what piece in her collection stands out, and his answer didn't surprise me. "It's always the oysters. Those are my favorite."

I'll be honest—I see a lot of coastal work, and the market is saturated with quickly rendered oysters, many of which seem to be lacking in character or substance. Carol's oysters were meticulously painted, gleaming on the canvas, some so carefully touched with gold leaf you could almost taste the salt. I cannot imagine how many of those are cherished on the walls of homes all over the Lowcountry and beyond.

Arts on the Coast continues the mission Carol helped start: providing a welcoming space for artists of all skill levels to learn, share and grow.

"We tried to develop a place where all artists could come together, to discuss their ideas, ask for help, be accepting of the beginner and the professional, erase the fear of committing to the idea of creating, and be passionate about growing a vital community of artists that ebbs and flows but is always accepting and supportive," recalls Sarah Volker.

Carol's contribution to creating and sustaining that safe place will no doubt be as much a part of her legacy as her masterpieces themselves.

A retrospective of Carol's work will be on display at the Arts on the Coast Gallery, located inside the Richmond Hill Visitor's Center, 10750 Ford Avenue, during the month of November.