South Carolina has become not only a top tourist destination for its beautiful scenery but a top destination for quality art as well. In addition to high caliber museums showcasing world famous artists, South Carolina has a deep well of local artistic talent. The state's artists exhibit in the multitude of galleries throughout South Carolina.
South Carolina has been the inspiration for numerous artists over the years. One of the state's earliest famous artists, Washington Allston, was born in Waccamaw in 1779. He led the way for the American Romantic movement of landscape painting. A selection of his work is on display at the Columbia Museum. Another notable artist who painted in the area was Georgia O'Keeffe, while in residence at Columbia College in 1915.
Art Museums of South Carolina
South Carolina's art museums showcase a wide range of artistic styles from various periods. For instance, the Columbia Museum of Art includes permanent collections of artwork from the Renaissance period, Dutch masters, the 18th century, neoclassicism, art glass, and modern art. It also displays traveling exhibits and offers free admission every Saturday. Another Columbia museum, the South Carolina State House Collection, houses portraits and busts of historical South Carolinians. The city's University of South Carolina campus includes the McKissick Museum, which displays exhibits of artwork, natural sciences, decorative arts and crafts, and more.
Charleston boasts the Gibbes Museum of Art, located in the city's historic district. Originally established as the Carolina Art Association in 1858, the museum is one of the oldest arts organizations in the country. The Gibbes Museum houses a permanent collection of over 10,000 works, many of which showcase the rich history of the American South. Its current collections are divided into the Colonial Tour, the Charleston Renaissance, and the Contemporary Tour. The museum also hosts changing traveling and special exhibits.
Sometimes referred to as the "Gateway to Charleston," Summerville is the place to visit for sculpture. Summerville hosts the Sculpture in the South Festival, an annual juried show in May. The city also owns numerous fine art sculptures located in public places throughout the city. For instance, Azalea Park displays several interesting sculptures, such as bronzed children, a frolicking frog, and Fantasy Flight.
In central South Carolina, The Spartanburg County Museum of Art displays an extensive permanent collection with numerous paintings by South Carolina artists. Works range from historical scenes of the lowcountry to contemporary mixed media. The museum also hosts rotating exhibits. For hands-on experience, it offers art classes for all ages and a children's summer art camp.
Among Greenville's two major art museums is The Bob Jones Museum and Gallery, located at Bob Jones University. It houses one of the nation's most extensive collections of European and religious artwork. In addition to the Old Masters, other collections include Russian Icons, Biblical antiquities, and a series by Benjamin West, originally commissioned by King George III for Windsor Castle.
Greenville's other art museum is the Greenville County Museum of Art. Its Southern Catalog showcases art from Colonial times through the present, while its Andrew Wyeth collection displays paintings from every period of Wyeth's life. The museum also offers an educational component and free group tours. Cherokee County and Florence also are home to museums of art and history.
Art for Sale
For visitors wanting to buy or even just window shop high quality art, Charleston is South Carolina's fine art pinnacle. A large number of fine art galleries thrive here, many of them located in the historic district. To visit a large number of galleries and see a wide variety of artwork all at once, take part in Charleston's French Quarter Art Walk. Thirty-plus gallery owners open their doors and present artists, food, and wine, making it a festive event. Art styles run the gamut from sculpture to oils and watercolors to mixed media. Visitors may see lowcountry scenes, wildlife, waterscapes, Southern portraits, jazz and blues paintings, and works by international artists. Well known to locals and visitors alike, the French Quarter Art Walk takes place quarterly, on the first Friday in March, May, October, and December.
Outside of Charleston, Columbia has the largest number of galleries selling a range of artistic styles, such as Southern, modern, African-American, local scenic, glass works, and more. Edisto, Greenville, Hilton Head, Beaufort, and Spartanburg also house several art galleries in their respective cities.
Art Festivals
South Carolina's temperate climate and beautiful scenery makes it an ideal place to hold art festivals. Travelers can enjoy festivals all over state.
The Charleston area hosts several major art festivals each year. In March, Charleston hosts the annual Art and Antiques Forum. Nearby Mount Pleasant also holds the Mount Pleasant Arts Festival with Towne Center in March, with juried artists, performing arts, roving performers, and more.
In May, North Charleston hosts the nine-day North Charleston Arts Festival. Over 30,000 visitors come to see juried art, arts and crafts, sculpture, an Art Walk, and live performances. Beginning near the end of May, Charleston presents the Piccolo Spoleto festival. At this regional event, attendees will see a variety of fine art, such as juried art exhibits, invitational exhibits, photography, and sculpture. Piccolo Spoleto also includes performing arts.
Charleston's annual MOJA Arts Festival, celebrating African-American and Caribbean art, takes place in the fall. The festival offers a series of events, including literary, music, and visual art activities. In addition to juried art exhibitions, the festival features exhibitions at local art museums, a Meet the Artist series, and a sweetgrass exhibition.
Upstate, visit Greenville's Art in the Park, held each September in Falls Park in Greenville's historic end. Throughout the rest of South Carolina, visitors will find a number of additional arts festivals and arts and craft fairs to choose from.
For the art lover, almost any month of year finds something happening. South Carolina's wealth of significant works and excellent local art makes it a great place to visit for both art aficionados and casual browsers.
