Women's Council

The Gibbes Women’s Council, founded in 1950, was the first auxiliary group formed at the Gibbes Museum of Art. Today, its membership is over 200 strong and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. When you join, you too can make a difference at the Gibbes! Each member serves as liaisons between the Gibbes Museum, and are both residents of and visitors to the Charleston community. The annual Art of Design Luncheon and Lecture is one of the Gibbes Museum’s major fundraising events, which features internationally renowned experts in the world of design. Through this event, the Women’s Council has raised over $900K in support of educational programming and museum exhibitions. A portion of these funds also assisted the capital campaign to name the Museum Store.

JOIN THE WOMEN'S COUNCIL

Annual dues: $75 + Gibbes Membership: $55 – $10,000

To become involved in the Gibbes Women’s Council, you must first join the Gibbes Museum of Art. Once you become a member, you will be contacted via email by the GWC Membership Committee Chair(s) who will send you information on all things GWC along with volunteer opportunities and a calendar of events. As a new member, you will also be invited to a New Member gathering to meet GWC leadership, other new members and to learn how you can engage at the Gibbes.

From September to May, the GWC hosts four meetings/programs along with an “Out of Charleston” trip all designed to educate members in the arts and to provide information relevant to Charleston’s art community. In addition, the GWC presents its Art of Design Lecture and Luncheon which is its largest and longest running fundraiser. GWC members receive special sponsorship rates and priority registration for this fantastic event! Please contact the Gibbes with any questions. We thank you for your interest in the GWC, and we so look forward to having you join our ranks in support of the Museum!

Please note that members of the Women’s Council must also join the Gibbes.
This must be done in two separate transactions. 

ART OF DESIGN

ART OF DESIGN is one of Charleston’s most iconic events of the year. Kicking off Art Charleston week, the luncheon and lecture has garnered national media coverage and become one of Charleston’s most sought-out ticket due to the world-renowned experts we bring to our city to present on a variety of design themes. Previous speakers include Hamish Bowles, Eva Chen, Vern Yip, Cathy Horyn, Melissa Biggs Bradley, Carolyne Roehm, Plum Sykes, Andrew Prince, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin of The Home Edit, and Lewis Miller, who launched Flower Flash in New York City during the pandemic. Our classical European-style garden serves as the backdrop for our festive and informative gathering, welcoming more than 325 guests to enjoy a beautifully styled, exquisite, seated luncheon followed by a lively presentation with our experts.

UPCOMING GWC EVENTS

  • GWC Holiday Party

    Join us for holiday fun! Held in a private home in downtown Charleston, the annual GWC holiday party is not to be missed. We’ll enjoy drink, light bites, fun and fellowship!

     

    Sunday, December 15, 2024
    5:30-8:30pm

     

    $35 per person
    Guests Welcome
    Festive attire

  • Winter Member Meeting + Program

    Proprietor and lead architectural historian of BVL Historic Preservation Research, Brittany Lavelle Tulla, has a motto – “Every building has a story!” Come learn about historic preservation research and the historic buildings of Charleston at this unique program. Brittany will talk about her career as an architectural historian and her quest to ‘humanize’ Charleston’s oldest structures.

     

    Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025
    4-6pm

     

    GWC Members Free

    Guests $10

  • Spring Day Trip

    GWC Members Only
    Join us for a fun spring outing to Wimbee Flower Farm!

     

    Wednesday, March 26, 2025
    Time TBD

    $50 GWC Members

     

    Program details and registration info coming soon!

WOMEN'S COUNCIL FAQs

  • How do I join the GWC? 

  • How many programs does the GWC host each year? When do they occur?

  • Do GWC members get a discount in the gift shop?

  • Do GWC members get a discount for Art of Design tickets?

CONTACT THE WOMEN'S COUNCIL