Kara Artman
President
Kara Artman was born and raised in the rural town of Streator, IL. She is formally trained in the arts and a graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Moving to Bluffton South Carolina in 2010 to live with her partner Tate Hallquist, she has called the LowCountry home ever since. Previously, she worked for Programs for Exceptional People managing their ceramic facilities, instructed classes and was their artist in residence. Since 2019, Kara has been the Art Director for Full Spectrum Studio, an art studio on Hilton Head Island for the special needs community. When not facilitating others' creative dreams she is working on her own artwork. Working primarily in clay, creating functional and sculptural art, Often her work utilizes mass produced, post consumer products as a primary source material.
You can find her work on her website. www.KaraArtman.com
Sarah Clemmons
Vice President
An expat from the Midwest, Sarah Clemmons is proudly a "corn bred, corn fed" granddaughter of farmers. Locally, Sarah is also involved with community theatre and serves on the Board of Directors for Sea Glass Stage Company on Hilton Head Island. Always in the search of a great tomato, green bean, or bread and butter pickle that rivals her mom's, Sarah is proud to be a member of the Bluffton Farmers' Market Board of Directors and looks forward to continuing to help shape the market now and in the future.
Kate Creech
Secretary
Meg James
Finance Chair
A proud native of the Lowcountry, Meg's passion for people and her knack for curating unforgettable experiences are now poised to flourish in her latest role as General Manager of May River Manor. Drawing on her extensive background and genuine connection to the community she serves, Meg is already making a lasting impact at May River Manor, ushering in a new era of hospitality and distinction.
Bill Beltz
Immediate Past President
Born in Alliance, Ohio, Bill lived in Wisconsin and Asheville, NC before moving to Hilton Head and Bluffton in 1980. Married to Karen for 45 years with a daughter in Nashville and a son in New York. Taught in the public schools for 10 years before having his own construction business here for the past 40 years. Karen taught Art in the Beaufort County Schools for 10 years. He has a Masters Degree in psychology and was on the Boards of the Bluffton Boys and Girls Club, Rose Hill Plantation POA, Bluffton Okatie Rotary and the Beaufort County Board of Education. His most previous construction project was the Martin Family Park —roads, hardscape and parking —one block from the Farmers Market of Bluffton.
