“So… what exactly is exciting about a museum?” I get that question a lot when I try to explain to people what keeps us on our toes here at the Gibbes Museum. I explain that several factors make the Gibbes a fun place to visit and become involved with; a relevant and beautiful permanent collection, new and thought provoking exhibitions, and exciting programs and events. All of these elements support one another, but our programming is especially inspired by the art displayed within these walls. The Gibbes is constantly planning new events for the community to become involved with, the most recent being the Art With a Twist event series.
Launched in the fall of 2012, Art With a Twist is a series of events aimed at introducing new and varied experiences for all members of the community. The series kicked-off in November with a wine tasting and lecture by Mike Cohen, owner of Goat. Sheep. Cow. With close to 100 visitors in attendance, guests were in for a treat as Cohen explained the art and design behind wine labels and artistic depictions of wine consumption through the ages. A few weeks later in December, the Lower King Street Antique Stroll led visitors on tours of several beautiful antique shops along King Street. These tours were led by interior designer Kathleen Rivers, and fine and decorative art appraisers Elizabeth Ryan and George Reed. Having a chance to explore these shops with such knowledgeable tour guides, made for a wonderful and exciting evening! To close out January, nearly 80 guests enjoyed a catered lunchtime lecture from Executive Director Angela Mack who discussed Impressionism and Charleston. In February, creating a new twist on the idea of a field trip, a group of 40 participants visited the stunning Impressionism exhibition now on view at the Columbia Museum of Art, Impressionism from Monet to Matisse. The day concluded with a lovely lunch at the Palmetto Club just down the street.
The key to any series of successful programming is to appeal to a broad audience and give people opportunities to experience something they might not otherwise be able to plan on their own. Each Art with a Twist program was planned to introduce new topics not previously discussed or experienced at the Gibbes Museum, and to bring in those within the community who may not have much prior connection with the museum. Two more programs are still ahead for this spring, a Jazz lecture and performance on April 11 and a lunchtime lecture on mixing antique and contemporary furnishings with author Susan Sully on May 20. More events are in the works for the summer and fall, including celebrity cookbook author Alex Hitz and a holiday children’s program in November. Keep checking back to the Gibbes’ calendar page for updates and to purchase tickets to any of these events.
—Amanda Breen, Membership Coordinator, Gibbes Museum of Art
Published April 8, 2013