October 21, 2025

The Coastal Discovery Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, opens a retrospective exhibition, “It's Thursday! Artists of the Round Table,” on November 12, celebrating 15 prominent local artists who gathered weekly at The Red Piano Gallery from the 1970s through 1994 to share ideas and projects that nurtured the island’s growing art community. The exhibit will be on view through March 23, 2026.

The public is invited to the opening reception on Thursday, November 13, from 5 to 7 pm.

This retrospective brings together approximately 80 works from private collections and new museum acquisitions. The Artists of the Round Table include Aldwyth, Ralph Ballantine, Joe Bowler, Danielle DeMers, Joe DeMers, Ray Ellis, Elizabeth Grant, Walter Greer, Tua Hayes, Katy Hodgman, Louanne LaRoche, Allen Palmer, Marge Parker, George Plante, and Coby Whitmore.

The museum is offering free curator’s tours of the exhibit on the following dates: Tuesday, December 16, at 1 pm; Thursday, January 22, at 1 pm; Tuesday, February 24, at 11 am; and Saturday, March 14, at 11 am.

“We are thrilled to present this historically significant exhibition that captures a remarkable time in Hilton Head’s art community,” said Elizabeth Greenberg, Director of Exhibitions. “I would have loved to have been at their Thursday meetings and listened to these influential artists talk about their craft.”

Visitors can see memorabilia, photographs, books, and articles about the artists, including articles by Theodore F. Wolff, art critic for The Christian Science Monitor — a favorite of the Round Table.

Also on view in the gallery is the original red grand piano, on loan from artist Louanne LaRoche, former owner of The Red Piano Gallery, and the round wooden table where the artists gathered on Thursday mornings. The table was donated to the museum last year.

"At 25, I was just a kid stepping into the world of the Round Table’s legendary artists,” said LaRoche. “They took me under their wings, teaching, inspiring, and supporting me. Their voices still echo in spirit today, as I continue to feel and hear their thoughts challenging me to be a better artist. I am so grateful to be a part of this exhibit that can pay tribute to their legacy.”

LaRoche is the featured speaker in the Legends & Luminaries series on Thursday, December 4, part of the museum’s 40th anniversary celebration.

About the Coastal Discovery Museum
The Coastal Discovery Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is an educational and cultural organization whose mission is to provide experiences that inspire people to care for the Lowcountry. Founded in 1985 and located on Hilton Head’s historic Honey Horn grounds, the Museum offers exhibitions, programs, lectures, hands-on workshops, and events that explore Lowcountry history, culture, art, and the environment.

Visitor Information
Admission is free. The Coastal Discovery Museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head, SC 29926. Hours are Monday–Saturday, 9 am–4:30 pm, and Sunday, 11 am–4:30 pm.