Charleston has long been a cultural and historical juggernaut, but the city also holds vast treasures for lovers of the arts
Starting with the Historic Dock Street Theatre—America's oldest venue for live theater performance—and continuing on through today's galleries, theaters, concerts, museums and festivals, a thread of creativity unites the present and the past.
The most renowned facet of the arts in Charleston is the annual Spoleto Festival USA, which spans 17 days in May and June and brings international performers, world premieres and a general ebullience to the entire town. Founded in 1977 by Gian Carlo Menotti—who created and ran a similar fest in Spoleto, Italy—Spoleto Festival USA was originally created as a forum for both young, contemporary artists and established masters. Over the years, Spoleto Festival USA has set the stage for premieres of work by Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller and Philip Glass, and it boasts an impressive roster of appearances by classical music virtuosos, including Renée Fleming, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Emanuel Ax and the Emerson String Quartet.
The local companion to the big fest is called Piccolo Spoleto ("little Spoleto" in Italian) and draws attention to the artists and performers of the Lowcountry through shows and exhibitions—many of them free—across the Charleston area. Both the big and "little" festivals bring out the best of what the city has to offer and deliver a jolt to locals and visitors alike.
Other local fests of note include the MOJA Arts Festival, a celebration of African-American and Caribbean art held in early fall, and February's Southeastern Wildlife Expo (SEWE), a nationally recognized forum for nature lovers, conservationists and art collectors.
Charleston's year-round theater offerings range from intense drama to comedic gold. Major companies like Charleston Stage, the Footlight Players, PURE Theatre, and the Village Playhouse and Repertory Company regularly present classics of modern theater, musicals and original productions, all stocked with talented locals of all ages.
For those with active funny bones, Theatre 99 offers a different show each night, with founders The Have Nots and friends performing improvisational comedy every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening.
Fans of classical music and ballet will enjoy the fine artistry of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the Charleston Ballet Theatre, both of which put on elegant shows throughout the year and work to involve the community through ongoing outreach and school performances.
History buffs will have plenty to explore in downtown Charleston, starting with the two biggest museums in town: the Gibbes Museum of Art and Charleston Museum, both of which have ongoing collections in addition to visiting and temporary installations.
Authors ranging from Edgar Allan Poe and George Gershwin to modern-day best-sellers like Dorothea Benton Frank and Pat Conroy set their works in Charleston's picturesque landscape in addition to making the Lowcountry a home (at least for a spell), while feature-film directors chose the "Holy City" as the sumptuous backdrop for movies like The Notebook, Glory, Swamp Thing and Cold Mountain.
Culture to Go
Art Walks in the French Quarter
Many visitors who come to Charleston will want to take a piece of the city home with them. An original artwork is one of the most lasting ways to memorialize a trip, and Charleston has abundant places for collectors to peruse and purchase creations from both around the world and right here in the Lowcountry.
The French Quarter, located on the downtown peninsula between S. Market and Tradd streets and Meeting Street and the waterfront, is a roughly five-square-block area hosting more than 25 galleries within its historical borders.
Although the individual galleries have openings throughout the year, locals flock to the periodical Art Walks hosted by the French Quarter Gallery Association. From 5-8 p.m. on the first Friday of March, April, May, June, October and December, participating galleries offer nibbles and wine for curious potential patrons to enjoy while checking out the work of more than 500 artists. Maps are available online at www.frenchquarterarts.com or at the Visitor Center on Meeting Street.
For a guide to Arts and Antiques shopping in Charleston, click here.
Original vintage poster art. A glimpse of European advertising at the turn of the 20th Century. Covering the walls of the gallery are large splashes of color inviting you to the Moulin Rouge and Monaco Grand Prix. The gallery’s selection includes the Belle Epoch, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and contemporary periods.
A celebration of Charleston’s unique architectural and cultural heritage. Whether buying or selling, our clients’ needs and interests come first. Our expertise is luxury property and our experience and knowledge in all types of residential and commercial real estate mean we bring you the best possible service.
Bocci's - a great Italian restaurant in historic downtown Charleston on Church Street. USA Today has called Bocci's one of the leading Italian restaurants in the United States. Bocci's serves full Italian fare, excellent wines, heavenly desserts and gourmet coffees all at affordable prices. Perfect for the whole family. Dinner nightly.
Charleston has long been a cultural and historical juggernaut, but the city also holds vast treasures for lovers of the arts
Other local fests of note include the MOJA Arts Festival, a celebration of African-American and Caribbean art held in early fall, and February's Southeastern Wildlife Expo (SEWE), a nationally recognized forum for nature lovers, conservationists and art collectors.
Fans of classical music and ballet will enjoy the fine artistry of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the Charleston Ballet Theatre, both of which put on elegant shows throughout the year and work to involve the community through ongoing outreach and school performances.
Many visitors who come to Charleston will want to take a piece of the city home with them. An original artwork is one of the most lasting ways to memorialize a trip, and Charleston has abundant places for collectors to peruse and purchase creations from both around the world and right here in the Lowcountry.
Original vintage poster art. A glimpse of European advertising at the turn of the 20th Century. Covering the walls of the gallery are large splashes of color inviting you to the Moulin Rouge and Monaco Grand Prix. The gallery’s selection includes the Belle Epoch, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and contemporary periods.
A celebration of Charleston’s unique architectural and cultural heritage. Whether buying or selling, our clients’ needs and interests come first. Our expertise is luxury property and our experience and knowledge in all types of residential and commercial real estate mean we bring you the best possible service.
Bocci's - a great Italian restaurant in historic downtown Charleston on Church Street. USA Today has called Bocci's one of the leading Italian restaurants in the United States. Bocci's serves full Italian fare, excellent wines, heavenly desserts and gourmet coffees all at affordable prices. Perfect for the whole family. Dinner nightly.
