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Galleries / Arts & Culture

The State of the Arts

Photos 25Issue May 2018
A scene from Spoleto Festival USA’s 2016 production of Porgy and Bess, the premiere production that christened the new Gaillard Center and showcased the visual design of local artist Jonathan GreenAll Set: From story line and score to set design and costumes, Porgy and Bess at the Gaillard Center was a celebration both of the city’s cultural roots and artistic maturity.Rising Tide: Aurora Robson’s installation for “Sea Change,” which transformed plastic debris into art, mesmerized viewers at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art last fall. Meanwhile, the Halsey itself, in pushing the edge on contemporary art, has heralded a sea change in local attitudes about art.During his 24 years as director and chief curator at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, Mark Sloan has worked to “challenge people’s perception of what art-making is.”At the Office of Cultural Affairs, Scott Watson seeks to fill the city with creative inspiration.Cara Leepson, executive director of Redux, is excited about opportunities for expanded programming and creative collaboration in the nonprofit’s new King Street facility.Power in Numbers: As part of its expansion, Redux can offer affordable studio space to more artists, including Kate Hooray Osmond, shown here. The sense of camaraderie and support nurtured among fellow artists is one of many intangible benefits.Painter Kate Waddell in her Redux studioCeramist Colin Peterson at Redux“There is not a controversial topic that cannot be addressed in a thoughtful and empathetic way through art. It’s a fantastic avenue for building bridges, and I believe it’s incumbent on us as an institution to make that happen,” ­­says Gibbes Museum of Art executive director Angela MackA concert in the Gibbes’ Lenhardt gardenPatrick Dougherty’s Betwixt and Between installation at the GibbesPURE cofounder and artistic director Sharon Graci is passionate about the power of theater and the arts to change hearts and broaden minds.PURE Theatre actor Michael Smallwood in Marco Ramirez’s The Royale last fallGoing West: Charleston Stage’s new education and performance space in West Ashley will more than double its classroom and program capacity. “Charleston Stage began as a youth theater company 40 years ago; education has always been at our core,” says Marybeth Clark.Making Waves: Charleston Stage’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Dock Street Theatre; its SummerStage Musical Theatre Camp put on a “junior” version as well.On Point: Students from the Dance Conservatory of Charleston hone their technique in the school’s West Ashley studio.Stage Prep: An artist’s rendering of the proposed Daniel Island Performing Arts Center illustrates the ambitious vision for a mid-sized 600-seat theater......the fundraising for which will kick off with a benefit performance of Puccini’s Tosca at the Gaillard Center this monthJazzed Up: Charlton Singleton shown leading the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, and Mary Beth Natarajan, the executive director of Charleston Jazz, have seen steady audience growth for live jazz. The organization has recently expanded educational offerings through their Charleston Jazz Academy.Mary Beth Natarajan, the executive director of Charleston JazzTua Lingua (1813 Reynolds Ave.) with a mural by Karl ZurfluhMiller Gallery (149 ½ East Bay St.)Revealed (119-A Church St.)Beresford Studio (20 Fulton St.)

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