SHELL POINT ARTIST GINGER TILLMAN’S WORK DISPLAYED

Shell Point residents at the Tuesday unveiling of the Ginger Tillman painting of the old Seafarer’s Chapel at the public bath house.


Tillman’s son Dan, his daughter Tylher and his wife Ginger.


A family photo of Tom and Ginger Tillman from years ago.

By MELISSA JAGGEARS Correspondent

Beloved local artist Ginger Tillman was recently honored in Shell Point for her paintings of the beach and area landmarks, as well as her service to the art community. A group of about 28 people gathered at the beach on Tuesday, Aug. 22, to watch the unveiling of a print of one of her most popular paintings.
During her career, Tillman, now 85, painted several versions of the original Seafarer’s Chapel in Shell Point, which once stood where the current public beach bathroom stands today. Friends of the family obtained permission to reproduce Tillman’s painting on a 4’ x 8’ metal sheet and asked the county to attach it to the outside wall of the bathroom building for all to enjoy.
Several friends and family members spoke highly of the artist, who was unable to attend due to poor health. Harriett Rich of Shell Point said she has known Tillman for 30 years through a community art class she regularly attended.
“She is the absolute best artist I have ever seen,” Rich said. “She would teach us tips to make things look real. And she made life fun wherever she went.”
Tillman’s son Dan, of Crawfordville, said he recalls watching his mother paint one version of the chapel in particular. “I was about 10 years old and remember sitting on the golf cart watching her paint,” he said. “We have that painting in our home.”
His wife, also named Ginger, said the family affectionately calls her “Ginger Jr.” Their daughter, Tylher, also attended the ceremony. Dan’s brother, Britt, of Wakulla Station was not able to attend.
Friends recalled when a “crowd” of about six people would attend services at the old chapel, sitting on donated sofas. The building was also used as a cafe and as a Coast Guard Auxiliary emergency radio center that handled calls from distressed boaters.
Over the years, Tillman had some of her paintings printed on notecards to sell at fundraisers. Proceeds from the notecard sales, as well as fish fries and many other events, raised about $6,000, which helped to build the current chapel at the end of Shell Point Road.
Tillman, originally from Jasper, Florida, moved to Shell Point full-time in 1980, with her husband and children. She was a fifth grade teacher at Crawfordville Elementary for 13 years, where she also taught art. She served as a member of Christ Church Anglican in Crawfordville and enjoyed dancing with the Wakulla Wigglers through the county’s senior center.
Tillman’s husband of more than 60 years, Tom, passed away last year. Her grandson, Taylor, also passed away last year from a car accident at age 24.
Tillman now resides in an assisted living center in Tallahassee.