Oyster art captures judges’ eye, earns prestigious SEA Grant 

With unique style and passion for bringing the natural environment to life through art, Beth Droppleman, PhD, has been awarded an exclusive grant through the UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Artists, Writers, and Scholars program to explore the depths of her creativity.

Building upon her skills and working toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in painting and drawing, Droppleman is currently a senior in the Department of Art and Design, part of the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Augusta University.

Her multi-faceted background includes earning a PhD in French, teaching for a few years at Columbia College in South Carolina and as an adjunct professor at AU, before shifting her direction to focus back on her artwork.

Always fascinated by the dynamic of oysters – their resilience, enduring qualities and perseverance over time – she has shaped her projects and paintings around creating “The Mighty Oyster,” representing a series of pieces showcasing medieval folklore representing protection and strength.

“The armor emphasizes the uniqueness of each oyster but also their part in a collective whole in the environment,” Droppleman said.

Droppleman’s visionary piece entitled “Victoria,” or “victory” in French, caught the eye of the UGA SEA Grant team, mixing a blend of art, history and science to bring awareness to the coastal environments of Georgia and South Carolina.

The grant, funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, encourages the five selected artists to dive deeper into their craft for one year and use exploratory methods to progress and build upon their work.

Although her debut as an artist was years ago in Paris as a student selling paintings on the Pont des Arts, she shifted her focus in 2016 to creating oyster shell portraits, drawn to their individualism and weathered and worn beauty.

“I use a layering technique with acrylic paint and lots of time to create the various textures and features, just like the way that the oysters themselves form in the natural environment, building up and developing intricate armor,” Droppleman said.

Using the oysters and their value and significance for the ecosystem, she shares the parallels and symbolism for human nature and resilience.

Art Department Chair Scott Thorp emphasizes the prestige of a student grant award and the inherent ability that Droppleman has to elevate and influence those around her.

“Beth brings a whole different level of perspective to the cohort and her fellow classmates,” Thorp said. “She has an extensive body of work and, with that, comes life experience. She helps others see things in new ways, gently suggesting, ‘Why don’t you try this,’ creatively inspiring those around her.”

As a non-traditional student, Droppleman beams with joy when sharing how much she loves being a part of the Art Department at AU and contributing to the ever-changing creative ecosystem.

Learning about the SEA grant from her daughter, Droppleman knows this is just the type of exposure that will help to propel the community to become more interested in conserving and preserving coastal environments in the Lowcountry.

“I believe that the beauty and intricacy of coastal systems should be widely seen and enjoyed by all,” Droppleman added.

Namwon Choi, an assistant professor of painting and drawing in the Department of Art and Design, has been Droppleman’s mentor through two painting classes, providing guidance, encouragement and confidence to apply for the grant.

“Beth had extensive previous experience making artwork about coastal ecosystems, including oysters,” said Choi. “This grant was a great fit for her artistic interests. We are thrilled that Beth received this grant and look forward to seeing many more achievements from her in the future.”

Throughout the course of three years, Droppleman has accumulated an even more extensive body of work, experimenting with sculpture and new methods.

She continues to explore new materials, recently incorporating peat from the mudflats near where she gathers the oyster shells along the coastal regions of South Carolina. The sediment holds historical and symbolic importance as it builds layers and creates texture and grit in the paint.

With her interest and passion for community outreach and education, she’s optimistic that her work will continue to bring greater awareness to coastal resources and inspire all who see it.

Droppleman is hopeful that “the artwork for the Georgia Sea Grant will encourage the viewer to see the oyster in a new light and to build support for the ecology, prosperity and culture of Georgia’s coastline.”