About the Artist:
Art shouldn’t reproduce what we see but it should help us see.
Beth Droppleman is a painter and ceramicist living in Augusta, Georgia. Formerly a French professor, she is currently a student of Fine Arts at Augusta University. Her debut as an artist was many years ago in Paris, where her student side hustle was peddling art on the Pont des arts.
Since 2016, she has been making oyster shell portraits, inspired by their weathered, worn beauty. Her aim, through portraits and ceramics, is to pay homage to the tiny but mighty oyster. Oyster beds play an outsized role as a keystone species upon which the prosperity of sea life depends. Beth’s artwork envisions the oyster in a new light to build support for the ecology, prosperity and culture of Georgia’s coastline.
Beth Droppleman is currently a student of Fine Arts at Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia. Painting has been a passion for years, but now she is expanding her horizons with humbling new artistic avenues like sculpture and computer-assisted design.
As a former French professor, Beth has taught courses on the intersection of art and literature. French Feminist writing/ethics was the topic of her dissertation. Equality of all human beings is an issue near and dear to her heart. She believes ecology and equality are inextricably linked. Her mission is to raise awareness of the importance of tidal marshes, the challenges facing them and the role of tiny but mighty organisms play in balancing our ecosystem.
Beth’s art practice is grounded in Paul Klee’s idea that art shouldn’t reproduce what we see but it should help us see. Most of her pieces are abstractions based on natural phenomena that offer a view different from everyday perceptions.
Art Exhibitions and Awards
The Artfields Collective Competition, Juried, Lake City, SC, 2023
Mural Competition Winner (with Emily Hogue), 2 designs for The Georgia Cyber Center for Innovation, Nathan Deal Campus, Augusta, GA, 2023
Georgia Peach Bowl Competition, Southern Universities Consortium, Juried, 2022
Mary Byrd Gallery Student Exhibition, Juried, Augusta University, 2021
Augusta Arts Council Winter Exhibition, The City Gallery, 2019
Westabou Gallery SEEDS Exhibition, Juried, Augusta, GA, 2018
Sacred Heart Cultural Center Guild Exhibition — Augusta, GA, 2018
Education
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting and Drawing (in progress), Augusta State University, 2021-present
- Ph.D., French Language & Literature (Romance Languages), specialization in contemporary French literature. Certificates: Philosophy/Women’s Studies, English as Second Language, University of Florida, Gainesville
- M.A., French Studies, New York University, Paris, France
- B.S., French Studies, Business minor, Georgia State University, Atlanta
- B.A., Communications & Advertising, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Other Art Education
- Art to Life with Nicholas Wilton, Online
- New Masters Academy, Online
- Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art Classes
Careers
- Artist, Painting & Drawing in Acrylic, Oil and Pastel
- Associate Professor of French, Columbia College, SC
- Instructor, Association of International Universities, Avignon, France
- Assistant Buyer, Sales Manager, Macy’s Department Stores, Atlanta
Languages
- English
- French
- Spanish
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About the Collection:
Treasures Unveiled Collection: Where Layers Tell Our Stories
Embark on a captivating journey with this 2 part collection featuring the underwater series and shifting sands series. These collections take you on a journey to the enchanting southeastern coast, where Beth masterfully crafts pieces that serve as profound testaments to the stages we ardently embrace, the defining events that leave their indelible marks, and the exquisite layers that intricately shape our unique voyage as women. Much like the alluring oysters gracing our shores, we, too, collect stories with each new layer gracefully interwoven into the fabric of our existence. Join us as we celebrate the artistry of life’s evolution in every delicate stroke and captivating hue.

Treasures Unveiled Collection:
Under Water
Explore the tapestry of the southeastern coastal regions. These creations echo nature’s textures, flows, and patinas – a mirror of the world’s untamed beauty. These works, elevate the commonplace, revealing the intricate beauty within oyster shells, the fluid grace of undulating waters, the rugged charm of pine tree bark, and the delicate dance of spartina grass.

Treasures Unveiled Collection:
Shifting Sands
This collection goes beyond the surface, an exploration of techniques that mimic nature’s own enchantment. As you linger before our mesmerizing creations, you invite a meditative connection with the mysteries of the natural world. Each stroke is an invitation to grasp the unseen, to honor the beauty of life’s intricate patterns.