2025–2026
A YEAR IN THE FRAME
Support the Gibbes Museum of Art!
The Gibbes is proud to present a yearlong lineup of exhibitions and programs that spark creativity and strengthen community connections. We’re thrilled to spotlight regional luminaries like Leo Twiggs and Mary Whyte—artists whose work leaves a lasting mark on both local and national stages—while also welcoming masterpieces by Rembrandt, Whistler, and Picasso through the traveling exhibition Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White. Our celebrated Distinguished Lecture Series will continue to inspire with thought-provoking conversations and fresh perspectives as we welcome art historian and Yale University President Dr. Maurie McInnis.
Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White— Prints from the Rembrandt House Museum
OCTOBER 24, 2025 – JANUARY 11, 2026
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606–1669) was a pioneering artist whose innovation extended beyond painting to more than 300 etchings. Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White, organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Rembrandt House Museum, showcases the full range of his etching work and explores Rembrandt’s lasting impact on printmaking through works by later artists, including James McNeill Whistler and Pablo Picasso.
Revelations!
The Art of Leo Twiggs
JANUARY
30 – MAY 3, 2026
Despite his legacy as a trailblazer, Leo Twiggs has never had a full retrospective in his home state of South Carolina. The Gibbes aims to remedy that by celebrating his visionary career, showcasing his iconic Batik technique and profound reflections on the American experience across six decades of work. Guest-curated by art historian Dr. Frank Martin, the exhibition— accompanied by a full-color catalogue— will mark the 50th anniversary of Twiggs’ first solo show at the Gibbes in 1976.
Mary Whyte: Salt of the Earth
MAY 22 – SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
The Gibbes Museum of Art will showcase Salt of the Earth, a new series by acclaimed Charlestonbased artist Mary Whyte. Known for her expressive, large-scale watercolors of contemporary people, Whyte celebrates the nation’s Semiquincentennial with twentyfive masterful works spotlighting the diversity, fortitude and spirit of every-day Americans.
Educational Sponsorship Opportunities
Education is the foundation of our programming, and inclusivity is central to our mission. We continue to expand free arts education for underserved students and communities, along with free programs at the Gibbes. These initiatives nurture vital skills—creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and teamwork—that are often underemphasized in schools.
IMAGE: Self-Portrait, Wearing a Flat Cap (detail), c. 1642, by Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669). Etching, 3 11/16 x 2 7/16 inches. Rembrandt House Museum, Amsterdam.
IMAGE: Dreamers (detail), c. 2017, by Leo Twiggs (American, b. 1934). Batik on cotton, Private Collection. Image © Leo Twiggs.
IMAGE: Oyster Bank (detail), 2023, by Mary Whyte (American, b. 1953). Watercolor on paper, 29 ¾ x 38 inches. Image © Mary Whyte.
FALL 2025
SPRING 2026 WINTER 2026
Distinguished Lecture Series presents Dr. Maurie McInnis, President of Yale University
NOVEMBER 5, 2025 | LOCATION: CHARLESTON MUSIC HALL
The Gibbes Museum of Art is thrilled to welcome Dr. Maurie McInnis, President of Yale University, as our 2025 Distinguished Lecture Speaker. The first woman to serve as a non-interim president at Yale, she is a celebrated art historian, author of five books— including award-winning titles—and led a digital history project on enslavement at the University of Virginia. More information about specific opportunities will be forthcoming.
Society 1858
AMY P. COY FORUM
February 6, 2026
SOCIETY 1858 WINTER PARTY
February 7, 2026
Society 1858 is a group of dynamic young collectors who support the Gibbes Museum of Art with social and educational programs tailored for up-and-coming art patrons, ensuring the Museum is a reflection of our contemporary cultural landscape. Members gather several times a year to explore exclusive private art collections, experience new local exhibitions, host the annual Amy P. Coy Forum and Society 1858 Winter Party, and award an artist the 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art.
The Gibbes Museum and Society 1858’s Prize for Contemporary Southern Art is awarded to an artist whose work contributes to a new understanding of art in the South. Presented annually, the Prize recognizes the highest level of artistic achievement and welcomes applications from artists working across any media from one of the 12 southern states.
Art Charleston is our signature weeklong celebration of creativity, culture, and community. Through a dynamic lineup of events, panels, and tours, Art Charleston showcases how we interact with art in our everyday lives and the profound connection between art and our shared experience in shaping perspectives, opening dialogue, and drawing together people from all walks of life.
The festival continues to grow in scale and visibility—offering sponsors access to luxury events, local artists, and a vibrant network of collectors, creatives, and cultural leaders. From elegant gatherings to thought-provoking conversations, your partnership places you at the center of Charleston’s thriving arts community.
Kicking off the week of Art Charleston, the Gibbes Women’s Council, the Museum’s first auxiliary group, will present its fabulous Art of Design Luncheon and Lecture on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
ART OF DESIGN
April 22, 2026
GIBBES ON THE STREET
April 23, 2026
ARTISAN FAIR
April 26, 2026
Sponsorship makes everything we do at the Gibbes possible —from inspiring exhibitions to cultivating, preserving, and advancing the visual arts and art education in the Charleston region and beyond. When you become a Gibbes sponsor, you connect with an ever-growing, audience of locals, artists, students, educators, researchers, and philanthropists.
More information will be forthcoming. For additional questions please contact Jennifer Ross, Chief Advancement Officer, at jross@gibbesmuseum.org.
About the Gibbes Museum of Art
Set in the heart of Downtown Charleston, the Gibbes Museum of Art is committed to telling the story of the city’s ever-changing landscape and its people. Not only is the Gibbes Charleston’s only art museum, but it is also recognized as one of America’s oldest art organizations, established as the Carolina Art Association in 1858. Home to historical, modern, and contemporary works, the Gibbes’ collection spans 350 years and features some of the country’s most celebrated artists. With world-class rotating exhibitions, a dynamic visiting artist residency program, and the 1858 Prize dedicated to recognizing rising stars, the Gibbes is a southern museum with a global perspective.
As the oldest museum building in the South and the third-largest cultural venue in the state, the Gibbes plays a vital role in Charleston’s cultural landscape. The Museum has earned widespread recognition for its contributions to cultural tourism, including the South Carolina Governor’s Award for the Arts in 2019, which acknowledged the Museum’s exceptional impact on the arts
community. The Museum also received the Beacon Award from the Chamber of Commerce for its role in enhancing the region’s aesthetics and quality of life. Named the best museum in South Carolina by USA Today and one of Charleston’s top cultural destinations by the
The Gibbes’ mission is to enhance lives through art by engaging people of every background and experience with art and artists of enduring quality; by collecting and preserving art that touches Charleston; and by providing opportunities to learn, discover, enjoy, and be inspired by the creative process.
Travel Channel, the Gibbes Museum remains the Lowcountry’s premier cultural institution, offering a world-class collection that mirrors the region’s diverse community and rich history.