The city of Charleston, South Carolina, seems to beckon you in. With its boggy creeks and dazzling shorelines, the enchanting Lowcountry region also boasts some of the very best Southern comfort food and charming architecture, making Charleston a major tourist destination all year long. The beauty of the city and its surrounding region provides an abundance of inspiration for artists. Look to Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island and Kiawah Island Beach, all brimming with wildlife. Or the famous Pineapple Fountain, the lush Magnolia Plantation & Gardens and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, a marvel of engineering.
Downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Leonel Heisenberg.
The Charleston Peninsula is made up of five distinct districts: The Boroughs, Harleston Village, The Business District (also called the Shopping District), The French Quarter and South of Broad. Downtown Charleston has an abundant supply of offerings for both the seasoned and casual art lover. Head down Meeting Street, right between the Preservation Society of Charleston and the South Carolina Historical Society, to visit the Gibbes Museum of Art. The museum, more than a century old, has a massive permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, miniature portraits, works on paper and more by American artists from the colonial era to present day.
The iconic Pineapple Fountain at the Charleston Waterfront Park. Courtesy Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The Charleston City Market. Courtesy Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Head to King Street for an eclectic blend of art, antiques, fashion and exceptional food. And all along the waterfront and surrounding district are art galleries showcasing phenomenal art by some of the best local, national and international artists working today.
A not-to-be-missed event every year in Charleston is the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, “a showcase of everything to love about wildlife and nature through an incredible lineup of events, including fine art exhibits, conservation education, sporting demonstrations and after-hours gatherings.”
Read on to learn about the many exceptional artists and galleries that call the Lowcountry home.
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Charleston Gallery Association
Charleston, SC 29402
info@charlestongalleryassociation.com
www.charlestongalleryassociation.com
Charleston Gallery Association, Yawl Flaneur in Southern Waters, oil on linen, 20 x 24", by Donald Demers. Courtesy Helena Fox Fine Art.
The Charleston Gallery Association is a dynamic and growing nonprofit that supports the visual art community of Charleston, South Carolina, and the surrounding islands. Since its inception in 2016, the association continues to grow and help art collectors throughout the world navigate their way through the multitude of choices in the city’s galleries. With over 35 gallery members representing local, national and international artists, they have helped Charleston become a very special worldwide art destination.
Charleston Gallery Association, Teacher Seeks Pupil, oil on panel, 24 x 24", by Robert Lange. Courtesy Robert Lange Studio.
Charleston Gallery Association, Paired Color, oil on canvas, 16 x 20", by Lese Corrigan. Courtesy Corrigan Gallery.
The historic and compact 5½-square-mile Charleston Peninsula has more than 40 art galleries; that’s about seven galleries per square mile! While art meccas like New York City have an average of four art galleries per square mile, and Santa Fe has three art galleries per square mile, Charleston Gallery Association offers collectors countless mediums in all genres of art. They also sponsor a vibrant monthly First Friday Artwalk popular among locals, visitors and artists alike. Visit the Charleston Gallery Association website for a map of gallery members.
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Principle Gallery Charleston
125 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401, (843) 727-4500
art@principlecharleston.com
www.principlegallery.com
Principle Gallery Charleston finds joy in sharing museum-quality works from established American and international artists within the realm of contemporary and classical realism. The gallery invites you to explore its light-filled space featuring fresh, exciting work from the many multi-faceted and diverse Principle Gallery artists.
Principle Gallery Charleston, Room for Two-Wolf, oil and silver leaf on canvas, 36 x 36", by Michele Kortbawi Wilk.
Principle Gallery Charleston, Red cloth and garden flowers, oil on prepared panel, 24½ x 19¾", by Carmen Drake.
An indoor view of Principle Gallery.As a Charleston art gallery located in the historic French Quarter near the intersection of Meeting and Queen Street, Principle Gallery is a proud member of the Charleston Gallery Association. New arrivals include Carmen Drake, Colin Frazer, Geoffery Johnson, Michele Kortbawi Wilk, Karen Hollingsworth and Kyle Stuckey.
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Reinert Fine Art & Sculpture Garden Gallery
179 & 181 King Street
Charleston, SC
(843) 694-2445
www.reinertfineart.com
Reinert Fine Art, Moon Over The Cooper, oil, 40 x 40", by Rick Reinert.
Reinert Fine Art, A Hope, oil, 20 x 16", by Zhiwei Tu.
Owned by contemporary impressionist painter Rick Reinert and his wife, Ann, Reinert Fine Art showcases more than 60 regional and nationally acclaimed classical painters, as well as figurative and abstract sculptors. Each gallery location is thoughtfully curated to appeal to both the connoisseur and casual collector. The owners are proud to present a collection of diverse paintings and sculpture that range in style from traditional to impressionistic to abstract. Reinert Fine Art has two locations in Charleston: 179 King Street and 181 King Street, located right next door. With over 4,000 square feet of gallery space as well as an outdoor courtyard and sculpture garden gallery, it is a wonderful experience for the senses. Original oil paintings, bronze sculpture, handblown glass and artisan jewelry created by a talented group of diverse artists, both local and international, can be enjoyed seven days a week.
“Charleston increasingly has become a major art destination and Reinert Fine Art is honored to host the 2023 Oil Painters of America National juried Exhibition in late March and April 2023.” — Rick Reinert, artist and owner, Reinert Fine Art
Reinert’s summer studio on Ocean Point Road in the beautiful town of East Boothbay, Maine, will be open June through September. Enjoy watching Reinert paint the many diverse and interesting landscapes the region offers. Friends and collectors are invited to stop by. Reinert Fine Art is honored to host the 2023 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition in April 2023.
Reinert Fine Art, Currents II, oil 16 x 12", by Olga Krimon.
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Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
Charleston, SC 29413
(843) 723-1748
sewe@sewe.com
www.sewe.com
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, The Blue Darter Coopers Hawk and Bobwhite Quail, oil on Belgian linen, 16 x 18", by John Banovich.
The SEWE Fine Art Gallery.
“SEWE monitors trends in the wildlife and sporting art genres as well as those specific to Charleston and seeks to balance emerging artists with masters and those featured throughout our 41-year history. The anticipation from both artists and collectors is an exciting building block for what we believe will be one of the great shows in the history of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition.” — John Powell, President and CEO, SEWE
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) curates a collection of fine art from some of the most talented wildlife painters and sculptors in the nation, with the 41st annual event taking place this February 17 to 19. Explore the SEWE Gallery online to find a new piece of art, learn more about the artists and discover the inspiration behind their work. Plan a visit to the SEWE Fine Art Gallery, located in Charleston Place Hotel, in February to shop their premier wildlife artwork in person.
Events at the 2023 event include a private preview afternoon where collectors can purchase art before SEWE opens to the public; the Signature Gala & Sale; Quick Draw/Speed Sculpt and Auction in which participating artists paint or sculpt an original piece from start to finish in just one hour; an Online Gallery and much more.
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Spaniel Flush, oil on canvas, 20 x 30", by Julie Jeppsen.
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Lowcountry Artists Gallery
148 East Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-9295
lowcountryartistsgallery@gmail.com
www.lowcountryartists.com
The Lowcountry Artists Gallery was founded in 1982 and is the oldest artist-owned fine art gallery in Charleston. Located in the historic French Quarter of downtown Charleston, Lowcountry Artists Gallery stands out as a group of artist-owners who passionately pursue creating and curating a unique collection of local artists in Charleston.
Lowcountry Artists Gallery, Lady’s Island Reflections, watercolor, 34 x 30", by Sandra Roper.The gallery showcases a variety of subject matter and styles in its collections, including traditional Charleston scenes and Lowcountry landscapes, as well as contemporary, abstract, still life and figurative work. Life-size copper frogs, miniature construction, sweetgrass baskets and jewelry are also part of the display.
Lowcountry Artists Gallery, Blue Remedy, oil on canvas, 36 x 48", by Lisa Willits.
Lowcountry Artists Gallery, Tidewater Reflections, pastel, 20 x 20" by Kellie Jacobs.
The owner artists are in the gallery daily and are always available to answer questions and assist collectors with their selections. Hours are seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. There are nine artist owners and typically one is available working in the gallery. New work by one gallery artist is featured every month.
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Dare Gallery
31 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 853-5002
www.daregallery.net
Sandpiper Gallery
2201 C Middle Street
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-0200
www.sandpipergallery.net
Lori Mehta, Countdown to Summer, oil on cradled board, 20 x 16"
Silvia Belviso, Wild Affection, acrylic on board, 24 x 30"
Dare Gallery on Charleston’s historic Broad Street and sister gallery, Sandpiper Gallery on Sullivan’s Island, are renowned for offering an eclectic collection of fine art in a welcoming, colorful and casual atmosphere. For over 20 years, these galleries have featured an extensive variety of fine art including landscape, figurative, architectural and still life paintings plus exquisite ceramics, jewelry, and unique works in wood, glass and metal by accomplished artists from across the nation. Over 30 painters are represented here including the abstract expressionism of Monique Carr and Judy McSween; the impressionist work of Leslie Pratt-Thomas, Bruce Nellsmith and Susan Hecht; and the plein air paintings of Andre Lucero and Jim Darlington. Their offerings continue with the colorist pastels of Tammy Papa and Susan Mayfield; the high realism landscapes of Douglas Grier, Silvia Belviso and Jeanne Rosier Smith; and the figurative work of CM Cooper, Lori Mehta and many more. Sometimes humorous, sometimes spiritual and always beautiful, visit these sister galleries to soak in all they have to offer. Dare Gallery will host a solo show of the work of Michael Cyra, titled Mood Swings from October 7 to 31. Cyra's pieces will take you on a journey from bright and bold sun-drenched fields to calming tonal landscapes and nocturnal compositions—many featuring dramatic views of water which are prominent in much of Cyra’s work. In November, the gallery will host a solo show of the atmospheric and richly textured paintings of Monique Carr.
Michael Cyra, Luminosity, oil on canvas, 60 x 48"
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John C. Doyle Art Gallery
125 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-7344
gallery@johncdoyle.com
www.johncdoyle.com
John C. Doyle Art Gallery, Stillness and Tides, oil on canvas, 12 x 36", by Isaiah Ratterman.
John C. Doyle Art Gallery, An Evening Stroll at Folly Pier, oil on canvas, 20 x 30", by Isaiah Ratterman.
The John C. Doyle Art Gallery is one of the oldest galleries in operation in Charleston, South Carolina. The gallery honors the legacy of world-renowned Charleston native artist John Carroll Doyle and offers his original oils, as well as his canvas and paper reproductions and photography. In addition to Doyle’s art, they represent 10 other exceptional artists, consisting of local, national and international painters, sculptors and jewelry makers. The gallery’s focus is on more traditional styles, but they also offer classic contemporary realism and abstract works. John C. Doyle Art Gallery has something for everyone, in many diverse mediums such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, bronze and artisan pearl jewelry. The newest addition to the gallery’s roster is oil and pastel artist Isaiah Ratterman, whose diverse skills allow him to paint everything from ethereal koi fish to stunning Lowcountry landscapes.
John C. Doyle Art Gallery, Wetlands, oil on canvas, 60 x 72", by John C. Doyle (1942-2014).
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Keith Wilkie Art Studio
Yonges Island, SC
keithwilkie.art@verizon.net
www.keithwilkieart.com
Keith Wilkie captures the peaceful nature of familiar Lowcountry coastal scenes. His oil paintings evoke memorable maritime moments encountered by nearly all of us—whether it is a glorious day at the beach, wildlife in the marsh, a sailboat regatta, local seafood or nearly anything one might find within sight of saltwater. He enjoys painting scenes of natural beauty discovered while exploring the area’s waterways but can’t resist periodically recording with oils a cold martini, a fresh blue crab or oysters on the half shell.
Keith Wilkie, Bear Island Egrets, oil, 30 x 48"
Keith Wilkie, Smiling Crab, oil, 9 x 12"A member of the American Society of Marine Artists, Wilkie participates in the prestigious Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Festival in Charleston and has had work exhibited in more than a dozen galleries across the U.S. as well as Maryland’s Annapolis Maritime Museum, New York’s Buffalo Naval Park Museum and the South Carolina Maritime Museum in Georgetown. With paintings on the cover of Robert Lackey’s Kingdoms of the Marsh, as well as the sailing magazine 48º North, his work can be found in hundreds of homes and offices throughout America.
Keith Wilkie, Half Shell, oil, 9 x 12"Wilkie works from his home studio near Charleston on Yonges Island and is represented by The Island Art Gallery in Pawleys Island and With These Hands Gallery in Edisto Beach.
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Richard A. Johnson
(843) 229-0660
richard@richardajohnsonart.com
www.richardajohnsonart.com
One of Richard A. Johnson’s favorite places is Charleston, South Carolina. Johnson did the Piccolo Spoleto Art Festival for 32 years; there, he sold his paintings that went to places all over the United States, England and Germany. Johnson had to quit doing art festivals when he was treated for cancer, but of all the art festivals that he has done, he really misses doing Spoleto.
Richard A. Johnson, Red Sails, acrylic, 30 x 24"
Richard A. Johnson, Sunday Afternoon, acrylic, 26 x 29"
Richard A. Johnson, J22 Off Murray Blvd., acrylic, 20 x 16"
Johnson would sometimes go walking with other artists in the morning before the show started, and many of the ideas for his paintings came from these walks. He did one painting that had a dog on the sidewalk ahead of him. The dog walked with him for about 30 minutes before going home. The dog was friendly and made the walk a lot of fun. Anothert time, the artist took a boat ride to an island across from Charleston, which had an old fort. On the way over to the island, he photographed boats with Charleston in the background. “Charleston is so rich with history, culture and inspiration that everywhere you look, there are paintings waiting to be done,” he says.
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Mary Whyte, LLC
Charleston, SC
(843) 870-0430
sharon@marywhyte.com
www.marywhyte.com
Mary Whyte is an American figurative artist internationally known for her watercolors of contemporary people. Her works are in private, corporate, university and public collections nationwide, and have been featured in numerous media outlets including CBS Sunday Morning, PBS and NPR. The author of seven books including We the People: Portraits of Veterans in America, Whyte’s work has also been featured in many international publications, including periodicals and books in China, Russia, France, Germany, Canada and Taiwan.
Mary Whyte, Winter Whyte, watercolor, 23½ x 22"
Mary Whyte, Captain, watercolor, 57½ x 26"
She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Portrait Society of America’s Gold Medal, the Carolinas Freedom Foundation’s Freedom Award, and the South Carolina Governor’s Award for the Arts—South Carolina’s highest honor in the arts.
Whyte received the 2020 National DAR Medal of Honor and the 2020 NSDAR Women in the Arts Award. In 2021, she received an honorary doctorate degree from Converse University in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In 2019 Whyte founded the Patriot Art Foundation as a means to honor and inspire veterans through the arts. “I continue with my focus of painting the people and the places of our times,” says Whyte. Her traveling solo exhibition We the People: Portraits of Veterans in America Exhibition is currently on view at the National Museum of the Marine Corps through January 2023. —
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