With its vibrant culture, rich history, delightful architecture, sandy beaches and Lowcountry charm, it’s no surprise that Charleston consistently ranks among the country’s most popular travel destinations. Its beauty—indeed some consider Charleston to be a work of art in and of itself—has long inspired artists and beckoned them to make it their home. And where there are artists, there are galleries—in this case a lot of them.
A 2019 study calculated that Charleston is home to 56 art galleries and nearly 20 museums—which translates to one arts-related enterprise for every 1,775 people—earning it the title of the best city for art lovers in the nation per capita.
The Dock Street Theatre is located in downtown Charleston’s historic French Quarter, within walking distance of countless galleries and other cultural sites. Courtesy of Explore Charleston.In addition to the many annual art events like the MOJA Arts Festival, Piccolo Spoleto and October’s Charleston Arts Festival, galleries and exhibition spaces can be found all across the city and its outskirts. But the heart of Charleston’s art scene lies on historic Broad Street’s Gallery Row and along the cobblestoned avenues of the nearby French Quarter.
The monthly First Friday ArtWalk is a wonderful opportunity to explore the diverse offerings of area galleries. From 5 to 8 p.m. galleries stay open and host receptions and exhibition openings, where attendees can meet the artists and learn about their work firsthand. The Charleston Gallery Association offers a downloadable map on their website so you can customize your walking tour to include the galleries whose artwork best meets your personal collecting style.
In the following pages, we’ve selected several must-visit galleries that we believe best showcase the diverse forms of contemporary paintings and sculpture that Charleston has to offer, from wildlife art to landscapes to figurative and more. Located in the center of the city’s thriving art scene, these galleries are within walking distance from one another and countless other cultural attractions and landmarks, including a number of significant museums.
One of Charleston’s most iconic sites, it doesn’t get more charming than Charleston’s “Rainbow Row,” which refers to the row of pastel-colored historic homes located on East Bay Street, just along the Battery.
Founded in 1773 on the eve of the American Revolution and commonly regarded as “America’s First Museum,” The Charleston Museum focuses on the South Carolina Lowcountry and its collections contain the most comprehensive assemblage of state-related materials in the nation with an emphasis on natural history, historical material culture, and documentary and photographic resources. Visiting Charleston’s historic house museums is another way to experience rare art collections in a residential setting.
Also in the neighborhood are the Gibbes Museum of Art and the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. The Gibbes Museum was established in 1858 and moved to its Beaux-Arts building downtown in 1905. The museum’s collection has over 600 pieces, including more than 300 miniature portraits that were a part of the original collection at its opening. Meanwhile, the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston School of the Arts is dedicated to providing a platform for innovative and cutting-edge visual artists from around the world.
Whether you’re looking for a historical experience or a contemporary one, in Charleston you can have it all and more. Enjoy the art adventure awaiting you in the Lowcountry!
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Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE)
205 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-1748
sewe@sewe.com
www.sewe.com
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Spring into Action, oil on canvas, 40 x 20", by Julie Jeppsen.
SEWE curates a collection of fine art from some of the most talented wildlife painters and sculptors in the nation. 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.
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, After Light, oil on linen, 36 x 48", by Mark Horton.
A new expression of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition’s passion for wildlife, Gallery by Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (Gallery by SEWE) is a permanent art gallery and studio space in The Shops at The Charleston Place hotel in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Gallery by SEWE—which celebrates the artwork and sculpture of an evolving collection of wildlife artists—is just steps from award-winning restaurants, world-class shopping and historic landmarks. Gallery by SEWE hosts curated exhibitors and artist residencies, special exhibitions and events. In centering wildlife art and artists, Gallery by SEWE becomes a year-round extension of SEWE’s mission to preserve wildlife art and support conservation by helping us transform our love for them into advocacy and action.
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Yellow Bill, oil on linen, 20 x 13", by John Banovich.
The 42nd annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition will be held February 17 through 19, 2024 in Charleston, South Carolina.
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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, 18 June 2023, oil on canvas, 62 x 54", by Lynn Boggess.
An indoor view of Principle Gallery.
Since opening in 2013, Principle Gallery Charleston has been dedicated to representing the highest quality of contemporary and classical realism art. Focusing on paintings in oil and bronze sculpture, the gallery proudly represents emerging, mid-career and established artists with a distinctly personal approach to their work. Principle Gallery gains great exposure for its artists through solo exhibitions, selective group shows and national art fairs. The gallery invites you to explore its light-filled space for monthly shows featuring fresh, exciting work from the many multifaceted and diverse Principle Gallery artists.
Principle Gallery Charleston, The West Wind Whispered and Touched the Eyelids of Spring, oil on linen, 60 x 54", by France Jodoin.
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Reinert Fine Art & Sculpture Garden Gallery
179 & 181 King Street Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 694-2445
jason@reinertfineart.com
www.reinertfineart.com
A view of the sculpture garden at Reinert Fine Art.
Reinert Fine Art is a nationally acclaimed art gallery located in Charleston, South Carolina. Owned by contemporary impressionist painter Rick Reinert and his wife, Ann, Reinert Fine Art showcases more than 60 acclaimed classical painters, as well as figurative and abstract sculptors.
Reinert Fine Art, Ascending, oil, 48 x 36", by Rick Reinert.
Known for its elegant and contemporary space including a magical sculpture garden, the gallery showcases unique oil paintings and sculpture in both bronze and stone. The gallery features both established and emerging artists, creating an atmosphere that appeals to enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Reinert Fine Art, Afternoon Glow on 59th Street Bridge, oil, 14 x 11", by Leonard Mizerek.
Reinert Fine Art is a prominent destination for experiencing and acquiring exceptional art in the heart of Charleston. —
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