Mary Benson - February Artist in Residence

Lowcountry Marsh Acrylic Workshop

Thursday, February 19

FLOW Gallery + Workshop l 1 - 3pm

Price: $90

Discover new forms of expression while you capture the beauty of the Lowcountry’s marsh scenery with Artist in Residence Mary Benson. While you learn more about Mary’s signature technique, layering textured paint over acrylic washes to create vibrant paintings, you’ll explore how the colors of post-impressionism can complement the lush natural allure of our surroundings. Weather permitting, this can’t-miss event will take you to the dock behind the Wilson Village chapel to immerse yourself in nature.

Whether you’re an experienced artist curious about learning a new technique or just starting your artistic journey, this workshop offers a chance to surround yourself with nature and explore new painting techniques while creating a piece worth displaying in your home.

Gallery Hours

Friday, February 20

FLOW Gallery + Workshop l 10am - 12pm & 2 - 4pm

Price: Complimentary

Welcome Reception

Friday, February 20

FLOW Gallery + Workshop l 4 - 5:30pm

Price: Complimentary

Embrace a new year of artists with our first Artist in Residence for 2026, Mary Benson. Inspired by post-impressionism and Fauvism, this Charleston-based painter looks at nature's beautiful forms through a lens of color and light. Using her chosen medium of textured oil over acrylic washes, she creates vibrant creations that reflect her love of the outdoors and capture the beauty all around us. Join us as we welcome Mary to FLOW Gallery + Workshop for a casual drop-in offering light refreshments and stunning views of the May River.



Live Oaks Acrylic Workshop

Saturday, February 21

Cauley's Creek in Moreland l 10am - 12pm

Price: $90

The majestic, sprawling forms of the Lowcountry’s famed live oaks will inspire your next work of art during this outdoor workshop hosted by our Artist in Residence, Mary Benson. Joining Mary at Cauley’s Creek in Moreland Village, you’ll see how her unique stained-glass-inspired technique of layering textured oil over acrylic washes harmonizes with the landscape around us. The focus will be on capturing the winding branches of live oaks, layering in color, light, and movement to create a masterpiece of your own.

Open to beginners and advanced artists alike, this workshop will let you hone your artistic skill, explore new mediums, and immerse yourself in the wooded wonders that surround us here in Palmetto Bluff.

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About the Artist

Charleston-based painter Mary Benson creates luminous, stained-glass-inspired paintings that celebrate the beauty of the world around her. Mary discovered her love of art while painting alongside her sister, and that joy and passion continue to shape her vibrant and expressive style. Influenced by Post-Impressionism and Fauvism, Mary layers textured oil over acrylic washes to create dynamic mosaics of color and light. Her work reflects a deep connection to the great outdoors and a desire to bring the joy of nature into everyday life. During her residency at Palmetto Bluff, Mary will lead three workshops in her signature style, inviting participants to explore color, texture, and movement through paint.