The Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration proudly features the work of Sonja Griffin Evans, an internationally acclaimed cultural heritage artist and proud Beaufort, South Carolina native.

Evans’ art vividly portrays the beauty, spirituality, and authenticity of the Gullah Sea Islands and African American culture. A prolific mixed-media artist, she layers vibrant hues and textured surfaces to bring depth and emotion to each piece. Her work is more than visual — it is storytelling, conveying important historical and cultural events, figures, and places in a way that moves audiences and inspires hope.

Recognized globally as one of America’s leading working artists, Evans has received numerous awards and honors, including the African Diaspora World Tourism Flame Keepers Award and the Mamie Till Mobley Woman of Courage Award. Her artwork has been featured in textbooks, award-winning documentaries, and even the National Park Service’s interpretive materials, ensuring that Gullah and African American history continues to be shared with new generations.

Evans’ paintings can be found in esteemed galleries, private collections, and institutions worldwide, with exhibitions that include a solo three-city tour of France. Her work has also been featured in publications such as DuPont Registry, Aspire Design and Home Magazine, Southern Lady, Hilton Head Monthly, and Local Life.

Through her art, Sonja Griffin Evans offers a window into culture in its purest form, each painting serving as both a story and a spiritual reflection.