AbouttheArtsCouncil
Established in 2004, the Town of Kiawah Island Arts and Cultural Events Council proposes and presents a season of performing arts events annually for the residents and visitors of Kiawah Island and beyond. Originally, the Council presented around 10 events a year. This season, we were able to produce 28 events for over 4,400 audience members!
The Arts Council is governed by the Town and currently comprised of 9 volunteer members who meet monthly to plan and manage their events. Read on to learn more about our dedicated members!
Mayor Brad Belt, Town Administrator Stephanie Tillerson, Communications Manager Meredith Blair, and Arts and Cultural Events Program Manager Caroline Wall serve on the Arts Council Board that meets quarterly to provide administrative oversight to the Arts Council. All event operations and logistics are handled by Arts and Cultural Events Program Manager Caroline Wall.
LetterfromOurChair
Our 2024-2025 season has been our most successful yet, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support from our community. To our dedicated audiences—both residents and visitors—your unwavering enthusiasm for the arts over the past two decades has been a constant source of inspiration. Your energy and passion motivate us to keep bringing high-quality performing arts to our area. We also want to express our sincere appreciation to Mayor Brad Belt, Town Administrator Stephanie Tillerson, and the Town Council for recognizing the value of our work and for their ongoing support of both our current and future initiatives. A special thanks to our former Arts Manager Ruthie Foster for her outstanding contributions over the past four years, and to current Manager Caroline Wall, who has taken the reins with grace and efficiency during such a busy season.
Finally, I would like to recognize my fellow Arts Council members. Few outside our council truly understand the complexity of working with artists, agents, technicians, road managers, and event personnel to bring these productions to life. We often refer to the Arts Council as a "working committee," but the truth is, that description doesn't fully capture the dedication and effort involved. Your tireless commitment is the bedrock of our success, and I am deeply grateful to each of you.
Sincerely,
David Wohl, Arts Council Chair
2024-2025SeasoninReview
From September 2024 through May 2025, the Kiawah Arts Council delivered a record-breaking season marked by artistic diversity, exceptional quality, and enthusiastic community engagement. With six sold-out performances and a total of 29 thoughtfully curated events, the Council presented an impressive range of programming—from the ever-popular, no-cost Arts Film Series and vibrant Piano Bars to world-class chamber music, ballet, and international touring artists.
The first half of the season featured standout performances by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra; a multi-disciplinary cirque production starring Kiawah’s own Kimberly Adele; and the beloved New Orleans jazz ensemble, Tuba Skinny. The new year began with the high-energy of Liquid Pleasure, followed by the legendary jazz pianist Judy Carmichael, Georgia Music Hall of Famers Atlanta Rhythm Section, and a stirring performance from Charleston Opera Theatre.
Annual favorites such as the Young Artist Series, the Blues by the Sea Festival, and the Piccolo Spoleto Preview continued to draw capacity crowds and received glowing feedback from attendees. These highlights represent just a portion of the Council’s successful 2024–2025 season. The Kiawah Arts Council remains proud to serve as a cultural cornerstone for residents and visitors alike.
SC Ballet: Romeo & Juliet
The Gatsby Orchestra
ThankYou!
Ourevents would not be possible withoutthe essential support ofourtrustedvendors and communitypartners.We deeplyappreciateAndrew Higdonfrom Hope Sound, Matt Varnerfrom PrimeTime Productions,Joseph Foxfrom Fox Music, and ChuckHigginsfrom Production Design Associates (PDA)fortheirhard workin producing ourshows.
We are also gratefulto ourvenue hosts: Barbara Steele and theteam at Kiawah Island GolfResort,AmyCookatthe Sandcastle, Michelle Duplessis atthe SeabrookIsland Clubhouse,Teri Hiers at Church ofOurSaviour,the staffof HolySpirit Catholic Church, and Karen Sassaman andthe FreshfieldsVillageteamfortheirgenerosityand support of theArts Council.
Specialthanks goto Neal Kinard,theTown ofKiawah Island’svideographerand photographer, and Dylan Keith of Kiawah Sands Photographyforbeautifullycapturing our events.We also extend oursincere appreciationtoJulie S., a dedicatedTown ofKiawah staffmember,forherinvaluable support during event execution.Abig round ofapplausefor these incrediblefolks who help bring ourshowsto life!
Photo courtesy of Kiawah Sands Photography
The Gatsby Orchestra
GettoKnowtheArtsCouncil!
Kimberly Adele
I’macirqueartistandanartisticdirector,producer,and showcreator.Previously,IcofoundedandgrewathreesectorcirqueartscompanybasedintheDallas,Texasarea, leadingthelifecycleofcirqueproductionsacrossthe touringtheatricalshowdivision,thebespokeevents division,andtheyouthtroupedivision. Beforefallinginlovewiththecirquearts,Iformedanonprofitdancecompany creatingandperformingworks
thatexpressedartisticthemesthroughafusionofdancestyles andservedas ArtisticDirectorandPresidentoftheBoard.
Myprofessionalexperienceonthestageincludesacting,anartformIexplored asanundergradatYale.Asachild,Iwasaclassicalpianist.Attheurgingofmy pianoteacheratSalemCollege,Ienrolledincollegemusictheorycourses startingatage10,andtransferredtotheDeanofMusic’sstudioandpiano masterclassatage12.Alsoawriter,poet,andcomposer/singer-songwriter,I enjoycombiningmanyartformswhencreatingcirqueshows,includingthe visualartswithkineticsculpturesandelementsofstaging. AnotheraspectofmyexperienceincludesperformingwithTheDallasOperain fiveoperas.Applyingatermperhapsmostfamouslyassociatedwithopera,I revelintheGesamtkunstwerknatureofcirqueandtheabilitytofreelycreate andfly—unboundedbygenreorform.I’veworkednationallyand internationally,performinginsmallvenuestocoliseum-sizedspaces.Generally speaking,performanceswithoff-the-chartsmusicality,expression,and technicalbrilliance passionatelyandauthenticallyshared aremyfavorites toattend.
Rob Cushman
Asanindividual,Ihavealonghistoryofbeinginvolvedin thearts.Onapersonalnote,Isangandactedmyway throughschool,whilealsoplayingsports,andoccasionally, studying!Professionally,mycareerduringthepastforty yearsinMarketing,CommunicationsandPublicRelations oftenincludedtheresponsibilityofplanningand managementofevents/celebrationsrangingfromsmall gatheringstolargecorporateaffairs.
Withthatasabackdrop,andmyhistoryofvisitingKiawahforovereightyears (almostthreeasapermanentresident)Ihaveenjoyedmultipleeventsbythe ArtsCouncilinthepast.Thisyear,I’veparticularlyenjoyedeventssuchasthe Wednesdaypianobars,TubaSkinny,Sinatra-theManandhisMusic,Liquid PleasureandTusk,thepremierFleetwoodMactribute. WhilewehavehadagreatdiversityofeventsonKiawah,I’vealsohadthe pleasuretorecentlyseeanumberoflocaltheatreofferingsaswellasdynamic artexhibitsinCharlestonmuseumsandgalleries.Intermsofmusicalshows,two excellentshowsstoodout:TheHendrixExperience,atributetothelateJimi Hendrixperformedbysomeofthebestblues/rockguitariststodayandmost recently,theHighWaterFestivalwhichfeaturedsomeofthebestnewtalentin indie-folk,rockandcountrymusicsuchasLordHuronandAmosLee.
Joan Collar
WhentheArtsCouncilorganizedIattendedmostoftheir showswhichwereprimarilyheldattheEastBeach ConferenceCenter.Ithinkthemostmemorablewerethe ColumbiaBalletandtheCharlestonSymphony. MylatehusbandwasmilitarysoIhavehadavariedcareer andlivedabroadinAsia,HawaiiandGermanyplussix states.Myprimaryeducationalbackgroundwasin psychologyandmygraduateworkinschoolpsychology
andspecialeducation,butIhavewornmanyhatsfromteachingspecialed, schoolcounselor,schoolpsychologist,principalandnationalsalesmanagerfor Britannica.AllmylifeIhavebeeninvolvedwithmusic…playingtheoboein orchestrasandbands,thepianoindancebandsandaccompanyingsong groups,singingchoirsetc.And,Iwasaballetdancer,figureskaterandactedin anddirectedanumberofplaysandwasinthemovies,‘Hawaii’and’TheLegend ofBaggerVance’.Alloftheseactivitieswerebaseduponmyloveofmusicand thearts.HereatKiawahwehavehostedtheCharlestonChamberMusicfor manyyears,myhusbandplaysthepianoformanyCharlestonSymphonyevents plusattheArtsCouncilpianobars.Myloveoftheartsdoesn’tendwithmusic,I alsolovethevisualarts,theaterandmostanyformofartthatbringspeople togetherfortheloveofwhateverthatartformmightbe.Wearesoblessedinour areaofthecountrytohavesomanytalentedperformingartists.Iamagreat advocateoffeaturingthemwheneverwecan.
David Wohl
IfirstbecameawareoftheactivitiesoftheTOKIArtsCouncil about15yearsagowhenIwasapart-timeKiawahresident livinginRockHill,SC,andvisitingKiawahforfamilyvacations. Oneyear,Iwasbrowsingthecalendarofeventsandnoticed thattheCouncilhadbookeda“newvaudeville”performer namedAvnerEisenberg,alsoknownas“AvnertheEccentric.”I’d seenhimperforminNYCandsponsoredhisappearanceat WestVirginiaStateUniversityinthe1990swhileIwasan
academicdeanofVisualandPerformingArts.Excitedtoseehimperformagain,I quicklyplannedatriptoKiawahandsecuredtickets,allthewhilewonderinghow theKiawahArtsandCulturalEventsCouncilmanagedtobringAvnertheEccentric toperformatTurtlePointClubhouse!Fromthatpointon,westartedschedulingour visitstotheIslandaroundtheartseventswewantedtoattend.WhenImovedhere permanentlyin2017,Iwasinvitedmetoconsiderjoining.Withadoctoratein dramaticartsandover50yearsofexperienceacting,directing,andproducing professional,academic,andcommunitytheatre,Ifeltanaturalconnection. Additionally,I’vealwayshadapassionformusic—duringmytimeinWestVirginia,I workedcloselywithmusiciansandartistswhoproducedtheNationalPublicRadio programMountainStage.Icontinuetoimmersemyselfinlivetheatreandmusic, enjoyingawiderangeofgenresandstyles.I’mfortunatetohavetheopportunityto bringsomeofmyfavoriteperformerstoKiawah.
GettoKnowtheArtsCouncil!
Jodi Rush
WhenJonandIboughtavacationhomeinKiawahin2010,we sawflyersfortheArtsCouncilandbeganattendingevents. HavingBachelor’sandMaster’sdegreesinmusic,Iofferedmy page-turningservicestoCharlieLipuma,thenChairoftheArts Council;Iturnedpagesforseveralperformersasa“civilian.”
Oneafternoon,justbeforeaperformanceofAvnerthe Eccentric,IwasaskedwhetherIcould“seeinthedark.”
ndeduprunningthemassivemachineAvnerusedformusicand 013,IascendedtoanofficialrolewiththeArtsCouncilandthus mostrewardingandchallengingjobsofmylongcareer.Iwas immediatelyaskedtotakeovertheeventsthatdepartingmemberhadbeen scheduledtomanage theartfilmseries,PiccoloPreview,YoungArtistsconcerts, andseveraljazzandchambergroups.Ilookedforwardtoproposingmyownevents thefollowingseason. OneofthethingsJonandIalwayslikedabouttheKiawah ArtsCouncilwasthefactthattheypresentedsuchawidearrayofgenresandartists. Becausemyownmusicaltastesareeclectic,itwasagoodfitformeasIlookedfor eventsandartiststochampionandbringtoourcommunity.Favoritesinclude:jazz pianistJohnEaton,singerWeslaWhitfield,storytellersJeanneRobertsonandAndy Irwin,guitaristJohnPizzarelli,pianistsBillCharlapandBillCunliffe,ConradTaoand CalebTeicher’sRhapsodyinBlue,andchambermusicbyAndyArmstrongand Friends.
Mybackgroundasanartist,showproducer,andartspresenter givesmeauniqueperspectiveintothearts.Ifeelthatservingon theArtsCouncilisoneofthebestwaysformetocontribute meaningfullytothecommunity. Currently,I’maphotographerandvisualartistworkingthroughout theUS.IalsoserveKiawahresidentsandvisitorsthroughmy company,KiawahSandsPhotography.Priorto
myphotographiccareer,IcofoundedacirqueartscompanybasedinDallas,Texas withaprofessionaleventsdivisionproducingbespokeshowsforcorporateand nonprofitclients,atouringdivisionperforminginsold-outtheaters,andanelite youthtroupedivisiontrainingstudentsthroughpre-professionallevels.Somewere selectedforÉcoleNationaledeCirque(Montreal)summerintensivesandnowwork professionally.WecastawiderangeofperformersandIhandledthefulllifecycleof showproduction,fromcreativedevelopmenttobusinessadministration. Asacirqueartist,Iperformedarangeofdisciplines,specializinginjugglingcube.My earlierexperienceincludestouringNorthAmericainanacrobatictroupe,performing asbase,middle,flier,andtumbler,includingfour-person-highpyramids.Ialsohave performanceexperienceasavocalistandpartnerdancer. Idon'thaveasinglefavoriteartisticgenreorshow,becauseIcreateandappreciate manyformsofexpression.WhenconsideringartistsandshowsfortheArtsCouncil,I factorinthecommunity’sinput.It’simportanttoberesponsivetothecommunity whilemaintaininghighstandardsforallevents.
Dylan Keith
GettoKnowtheArtsCouncil!
WemovedtoKiawahfulltimefromNewYorkCityin2005but haveownedpropertyonKiawahsince2001.Wewereonlyhere parttimefromthenuntil2005.Asfull-timeresidentswewere anxioustofindsomeculturaleventstoattendonKiawahand inCharlestonandsoweveryquicklyfoundoutabouttheArts Councileventsfromfriendsandbegantoattendsomeof them.Backthentheyweremostlyrelatedtochambermusic, choralmusic,bluesbythesea,comedians,jazz,andtheCharlestonSymphony Orchestra.WeknewacoupleofpeopleontheCouncilandsoIendedup suggestingsomemusiciansthatIknewfromNYCtooneofthem,CarolAnn Smalley.NotlongafterthatCarolAnndecidedtoretirefromtheCouncilandshe recommendedmeasherreplacement.Iwasdelightedandsaidyesrightawayas myhusbandandIhadalwaysattendedmanyconcertsandtheaterperformances formanyyearswhenwelivedinMinneapolis,HoustonandNewYorkCity.In Charleston,soonaftermovingtoKiawahfulltime,wehavehadseasonticketsto ChamberMusicCharleston,theCSOandPURETheater,andeveryyearIattendat least25Spoletoperformances.
Bill Blizard
Uponplanningforretirementinthe1980's,Ihadthegood fortunetoseeinatennismagazineaboutsomeplaceIhad neverheardofbeforecalledKiawahIsland.Onatriptothe Southmywife&Icamebythisislandandwefellinlovewith thisplace.Thatwas40yearsago.Fastforward2decadesandI spokewithTownCounselorLeoFishmanaboutthe developmentofaprojectfortheartssimilartotheCultural AffairsProgramthatIfoundedastheheadoftheArtDepartmentatSpringfield CollegeinMassachusetts.Hesaid,"Writeitup!".MayorBillWertconfirmedthe ideawiththeCouncilandtheKiawahIslandArtsandCulturalEventsCouncilwas born.Thankstoadedicatedsetofcommitteemembers,evengoinginto2026we bringamarvelousvarietyofeventsfeaturingoutstandingperformerswhile enjoyingcommunitysupport.Ithasbeenagreatadventurethathasbroughtme muchsatisfaction.
Kristin Thompson
OfthefirstArtsCouncileventsthatIrememberattending,CSO playedinatentatFreshfieldsin2012;atleastonepianobar aroundthesametimeandSCBalletperformanceofDraculaat theEastBeachConferenceCenter.Isawanoticeaboutanopen positionontheArtsCouncilin2020.Ihadrecentlyretiredand soldourbusinessmanagingninedifferentnationaland internationaltradeassociations,runningtheirconventionsand meetingswhichinvolvedcontractingforspaceandentertainment;so,Ithought thatmyskillsetof25yearsinthatareawouldbeagoodmatchforthevolunteer position.Ihaveabroadinterestintheperformanceartsrangingfromclassical,folk, opera,balletandrockandroll.Iparticularlyenjoythediversityofgenresthatwe presenttoaudienceseveryseasonandIlookforwardtoourannualBluesbytheSea festivaleveryApril.
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@kiawaharts
Kiawah Island Arts Council
Participateinour
AnnualAudienceSurvey
Attheendofeachseason,theKiawahIslandArtsCouncil conductsanaudiencesurveytounderstandwhatwe’redoing well,discoverareaswherewecanimprove,andgathervaluable insightswewouldn’totherwisehave.
PleasescantheQRcodebelowtocompletethesurvey thoughtfully—wetrulyappreciateyourinput!
Thesurveyisdesignedtotakearound 5minutestocompleteandwillbe acceptingresponsesnowthrough June15 ,2025.th
SeasonHighlights
Young Artist Series: Caleb Borick Liquid Pleasure
TUSK: Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Blues by the Sea: The Shaelyn Band
Judy Carmichael Trio
Photos (top to bottom): Neal Kinard, Town of Kiawah Island (top three); Dylan Keith, Kiawah Sands Photography (remaining)
