Arts & Culture

     In our first installment of M. Dumas Recommends, we have chosen to focus on the vibrant Arts & Culture Scene in Charleston. From the best place to listen to live music to our favorite galleries to visit, we have included all of our must-see locations right here!

     Where to stay?

     The Vendue: Charleston’s Art Hotel

     The Vendue was renovated and “reborn” in 2014 to create Charleston’s first and only hotel dedicated to the arts – in all forms. Over 300 pieces of original art have been installed for our guests to enjoy. Their main exhibition space covers theentire public spaces of 19 Vendue. Additional installations are on display in all guestroom corridors, the public areas of 26 Vendue, and within the Gallery guest rooms.

     Music/Theater

• The Gaillard Performing Arts Center: Replacing the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, The Gaillard Performing Arts Center opened in 2015 to.provide the Lowcountry with a world-class performance hall, elegant venue space, and vibrant educational opportunities inspiring our dynamic community through the power of the performing arts. 
• Music Farm: A mainstay in the Charleston live music scene, Music Farm is situated in an old warehouse on Ann St. and features a wide variety of local and visiting talent covering many genres.
• Windjammer: For the last 40+ years, the Windjammer has been THE place for live music at the beach. If a cold drink, good vibes and a great view is your thing, don’t miss out on this awesome place!
• The Commodore: Looking for a little more than just good music? Head down to the Commodore on Meeting St. for some great DJ sets and a dance floor that doesn’t stop moving all night long!
• Dock Street Theatre: Built on the corner of Church Street and Dock Street (now known as Queen Street), the Historic Dock Street Theatre was the first building in America built exclusively to be used for theatrical performances beginning on February 12, 1736. Flora, the first opera performance in America, took place at the Historic Dock Street Theatre.

     Museums

• Gibbes Museum of Art: Formerly known as the Gibbes Art Gallery, the Gibbes Museum of Art is an art museum in Charleston, South Carolina. Established as the Carolina Art Association in 1858, the museum moved into a new Beaux Arts building at 135 Meeting Street, in the Charleston Historic District, in 1905. The Gibbes Museum of Art is home to the foremost collection of American art that incorporates the story of Charleston. The Museum connects the city and region’s artistic past to a vibrant contemporary art scene. 
• The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art: The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art is a non-profit, non-collecting contemporary art institute within the School of the Arts at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. The HICA presents contemporary art exhibitions by emerging or mid-career artists.

     Galleries

• Redux Contemporary  Art Center: Redux Contemporary Art Center is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering creativity and the cultivation of contemporary art through diverse exhibitions, affordable studio space for visual artists, meaningful education and outreach programs, and a multidisciplinary approach to the dialogue between artists and their audiences.

• Corey Alston Sweetgrass: Perfecting his craft for 14 years, Corey takes pride in keeping the Gullah culture alive. “Gullah” is a lyrical word used to describe the linguistic and cultural heritage of local sea island inhabitants who descended from Africa. The Gullah imprint on Charleston culture runs deep, from the soulful flavors of Lowcountry cuisine to the coils of artistry woven into each handcrafted sweetgrass basket. Originally made to winnow rice on the plantations, the baskets have become sought after objects of work and are even on display at the Smithsonian Institution. Find Corey at the entrance to the Charleston City Market at Meeting St. Market St..

• Take advantage of the First Friday Artwalk to peruse some of our favorite independent galleries in the city such as:
• Robert Lange Studio
• LePrince Fine Art
• Principle Gallery
• Miller Gallery
• Atrium Art Gallery
• Charleston Artist Guild