The Artist
Becky Stowe passed away New Year’s Eve 2020 at the age of 78. Just six weeks earlier she was still drawing and had completed a 5K. She will be missed. It is her wish that she will be remembered every time her artwork is seen by those that love and appreciate it. May it bring back wonderful memories of the good ole days at the beach!
Becky Stowe is probably the first artist in the U.S. to commit virtually all of her paintings to the subjects of the beach and Shag community. Stowe’s pen and ink and mixed media paintings of places like “The Original Pad” and “The Pavilion” are treasured memorabilia by many collectors around the world.
Practically an institution in the Shagging community, she was the creator of special, commemorative, limited edition prints twice a year for the spring and fall S.O.S. events. In addition, her art was always featured on the S.O.S. Carefree Times newspaper.
And it all started in 1986 when she left her job as an artist for an area department store in Salisbury, N.C., and headed to the beach.
“My husband, Milford Powell, and I were having lunch and all of these Shaggers kept walking through the restaurant. And as they were, I was thinking what could I do, artistically, that they’d be interested in buying.”
After talking it over, her husband suggested she create something centered around the old Pad gathering spot. What resulted was a pen and ink sketch of which she made a very limited run of prints. She knew a doorman at one of the clubs on Ocean Drive and asked him if he’d mind selling the prints for the folks coming and going from the club.
“Back then, S.O.S. was only four or five days, not ten like now. I checked in with him after a couple of days and he let me know I needed to bring him a bunch more prints because the first run had sold out!”
It was from here she developed four or five more art prints and hit the ground running.
“When I first opened the shop next to Hardwick’s Cafeteria, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to pay the $300 a month rent. I guess I got lucky and was at the right place at the right time.”
Over the years Stowe says she’s lost count of the pieces she’s done centered around Shag culture and North Myrtle Beach, but it’s certain that Shaggers haven’t.
“It is always nice to hear people say, ‘I’ve filled my house with your work! I love it so much and when it’s requested for my work to be placed in public places like the lobby of the police department.”
After thirty years of selling her art and other collectibles from her store on Main Street, Becky decided it was time to close up the brick-and-mortar retail store.
“I am forever thankful for all the years of patronage from the Shag community and the people of North Myrtle Beach because they’ve helped me grow as an artist, I just hope that everyone continues to enjoy my work for many years to come.”
Becky Stowe has won numerous awards and recognition for her work including:
- 1993 S.O.S. Certificate -Artist In Residence
- 1996 Beach Music Cammy Industry Appreciation Award
- 2000 A.C.S.C. (Association of Carolinas Shag Clubs) Lifetime Achievement Chairman’s Award
- 2000 Selected North Myrtle Beach Chamber inaugural visitor’s guide cover
- 2002 SandFlea Living Legends Award
- 2005 City of NMB Appreciation for Public Service Award
- 2009 S.O.S. and A.C.S.C. Parade Grand Marshall
- 2011 Hall Of Fame Beach Music Radio Award
- 2015 NMB Chamber Small Business of the Year.