OPEN TODAY 1-5pm
OPEN

Artist Spotlight: Corrie McCallum (American, 1914–2009)

Our current exhibition, Breaking Down Barriers: 300 Years of Women in Art, features over 30 groundbreaking women artists, each with their own compelling story and artistic vision. Included among this group is Charleston’s own Corrie McCallum. Throughout her long and productive career, McCallum was a fixture in the Charleston art community. As a result, the Gibbes collection includes many of her works, a selection of which are featured above.

McCallum was born in Sumter, South Carolina in 1914. She attended the University of South Carolina and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Following an extended period of study in Mexico with her husband, fellow artist William Halsey (American, 1915–1999), McCallum and her family settled in Charleston in 1942. Though she chose to live in Charleston, McCallum stayed current with the New York art scene. She followed the development of Abstract Expressionism and incorporated the style into her work, as demonstrated by paintings such as View of Toledo and Boats of Nazare that feature gestural brushwork and reduction of forms.

Under the guidance of Corrie McCallum, the Gibbes created and conducted the first comprehensive art appreciation program for Charleston County public school students.

Under the guidance of Corrie McCallum, the Gibbes created and conducted the first comprehensive art appreciation program for Charleston County public school students.

In addition to her vast body of work, McCallum made significant contributions to the Charleston art community as an educator. She held education positions at several institutions, including the Telfair Museum of Art, Gibbes Museum of Art, College of Charleston, and Newberry College, and throughout her life remained an outspoken advocate for the visual arts.

McCallum’s painting View of Toledo will remain on view in Breaking Down Barriers through January 8, 2012—don’t miss this great exhibition! Have you already seen Breaking Down Barriers? Leave a comment here to share your experience with us.

Pam Wall, curator of exhibitions, Gibbes Museum of Art

Published December 2, 2011

Related Content

The Gibbes to Unveil Exhibition of Contemporary Portraits During Art Charleston 2023

The Gibbes Museum of Art will unveil an exhibition of powerful portraits by renowned contemporary painter Beverly McIver on April 28 during the museum’s visual arts festival Art Charleston. Beverly…

READ MORE

The Gibbes Museum of Art to Exhibit Recent Works by Contemporary Painter Damian Stamer 2023

The Gibbes Museum of Art will exhibit a collection of works by former 1858 Prize finalist, Damian Stamer, from March 17 – Oct. 15, 2023. Damian Stamer: Ruminations showcases new…

READ MORE

The Gibbes Museum of Art Announces 2023 Special Exhibitions and Visiting Artists

The Gibbes Museum of Art is pleased to announce its schedule of special exhibitions and class of Visiting Artists coming to the museum in 2023. The lineup of exhibitions explores…

READ MORE

Gibbes Museum of Art to Display Rare Collection of Greek Geometric Art 2022

The Gibbes Museum of Art will display From Chaos to Order: Greek Geometric Art from the Sol Rabin Collection, the first major museum exhibition in the U.S. to focus on…

READ MORE