Rice, Ghana, Charleston, the World, an exhibit of soft pastels by Lowcountry artist Alvin B. Glen.

Beginning April 10, Art League of Hilton Head will host Rice, Ghana, Charleston, the World, an exhibit of soft pastels by Lowcountry artist Alvin B. Glen. The collection, depictions of men, women, and children farming and processing rice, highlights the hard labor of slaves that made Charleston one of the richest cities in the world. “Their cultivation of Carolina Gold rice forever changed the Lowcountry and added significant cultural influences felt nationwide,” says Glen.

Glen, a retired art teacher from Dorchester, SC, began creating historically based works full of social commentary when he taught high school art classes in the late 80s and early 90s. “The students had difficulty seeing a positive image of themselves in history and society. I began creating drawings based on the concerns raised by my students.”

Glen has exhibited widely throughout South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. He was awarded Best in Show at Charleston’s Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibit and was the featured artist at the Moja Arts Festival in Charleston and Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration.

The show runs April 9 through May 10. An opening reception will be held Wednesday, April 10, 5-7pm. Glen will also host a Gallery Walk on Thursday, April 11, 11am-12pm, discussing his work, influences, and process. The exhibit, reception, and gallery walk are free to attend and open to the public.