GIBBES MUSEUM OF ART SUMMER 2025 PROGRAMMING MAY – SEPTEMBER 2025
GIBBES MUSEUM OF ART | EXHIBITIONS
EXHIBITION PREVIEW & FELLOWS BRUNCH
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2025 9am Member Preview 10:30am Fellows Brunch in the Lenhardt Garden
PICTURING FREEDOM: HARRIET TUBMAN AND THE COMBAHEE RIVER RAID MAY 23 – OCTOBER 5, 2025 GALLERIES 8 & 9
This exhibition is inspired by Dr. Edda Fields-Black’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War, and features photographs by renowned environmental photographer J Henry Fair alongside paintings, sculpture, and other works by 20th and 21st century American artists that visually explore the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman and the Combahee River Raid. The show is guest curated by Dr. Vanessa Thaxton-Ward, director of Hampton University Museum. I M AG E : Wade In the Water, 2020, by Stephen Towns (American, b. 1980). Natural and synthetic fabric, polyester and cotton thread, crystal glass, 39 x 46 inches. Courtesy of Malik Jackson. CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
OUR PET PROJECT: CATS AND DOGS AT THE GIBBES JUNE 6 – SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 GALLERIES 2 & 3
Explore the delightful bond between humans and their furry companions in this charming exhibition showcasing works from our permanent collection. Featuring an array of artistic interpretations of cats and dogs, this exhibition captures their playful, loyal, and loving nature through painting, photography, and more. From serene portraits to lively, whimsical scenes, Our Pet Project invites visitors to experience the timeless allure of these beloved animals and their place in the artistic world. I M AG E : Cat Looking Wistfully at Partridge, Snipe and Woodcock, before 1857, by Charles Fraser (American, 1782–1860). Oil on canvas. Gift of Mrs. Ashby Farrow.
PICTURING FREEDOM: VISUALLY RETRACING THE FREEDOM SEEKERS’ JOURNEY THROUGH ART FRIDAY, MAY 23 | 1:30–2:30PM To celebrate the opening of our newest exhibition Picturing Freedom, join us for a conversation with key figures behind this major exhibition. Dr. Edda Fields-Black will discuss her groundbreaking research, alongside artists J Henry Fair, Stephen Towns, and guest curator Dr. Vanessa Thaxton-Ward. A book signing will follow. $20 Gibbes Members | $30 Non-Members I M AG E : In Harriet Tubman I Helped Hundreds to Freedom, 1946 (reprinted in 1989), Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012). Linocut 18/20, 15 x 11 inches. Collection of the Hampton University Museum, Hampton, VA. © 2025 Mora-Catlett Family / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY.
PUBLIC TOURS WITH A GIBBES MUSEUM INTERPRETER Wednesdays and Fridays at 1pm
CURATOR-LED TOURS are offered on the following dates: THURSDAY, MAY 29 | 2PM Picturing Freedom with chief curator Sara Arnold
THURSDAY, JULY 10 | 2PM Our Pet Project with associate curator Brenna Reilley
Free for Members. Included with admission for Non-Members.
SUMMER 2025 PROGRAMMING
LITERARY GIBBES | A BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION
Free | Registration Required
SATURDAY JUNE 7 10:30AM–12PM
SATURDAY AUGUST 9 10:30AM–12PM
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4 10:30AM–12PM
We will discuss The Miniaturist’s Assistant by Katherine Scott Crawford, a new book that takes place at a fictional art museum in Charleston, SC with a stellar miniature portrait collection.
Inspired by Our Pet Project we’ll read The Friend by Sigrid Nunez.
Inspired by Picturing Freedom, we will discuss Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War by Dr. Edda L. Fields-Black.
THE MINIATURIST’S ASSISTANT WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 | 6PM The Miniaturist’s Assistant, a brand-new novel from awardwinning author Katherine Scott Crawford, features a miniature portrait painter in 1804 Charleston who comes into contact with the novel’s heroine, an art conservator from 2004 Charleston. Becca Hiester, Director of Education and Programs at the Gibbes, will sit down with Crawford to discuss the art form’s history, the museum’s collection, and how they both influenced The Miniaturist’s Assistant. A selected reading and book signing will follow.
TAYLOR GRANT PILATES
$10 Members | $15 Non-Members
TAYLOR GRANT PILATES AT THE GIBBES SATURDAY JUNE 14 10:15AM
SATURDAY JULY 12 10:15AM
SATURDAY AUGUST 9 10:15AM
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13 10:15AM
Join us for an intimate Pilates Class at the Gibbes. We will work through a focused, challenging, and fun Pilates class with Taylor Grant of Taylor Grant Pilates. $40 Adults
SUMMER CAMP FOR GROWN-UPS: THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 | 5:30–7:30PM Come play with us during the dog days of summer and take in our newest exhibition Our Pet Project: Cats and Dogs at the Gibbes. Free
MCG PHOTOGRAPHY
ART OF JAZZ Cool off this hot summer with some jazz! In collaboration with Charleston Jazz, we are excited to present another year of concerts as part of this ongoing series. Local musicians take inspiration from temporary exhibitions and works on view, creating unique set lists and composing original songs.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 25 | 6PM
WEDNESDAY JULY 23 | 6PM
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20 | 6PM
Jonathan Lovett
Iliana Rose
Bob Lanzetti
$40 Members | $50 Non-Members | $20 Students
BECOMING HARRIET TUBMAN WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 | 6PM Natalie Daise, former host of Nick Jr.’s Gullah Gullah Island, award-winning artist, and storyteller presents “Becoming Harriet Tubman,” a one-person, five-character show that shares the story of Ariminta Ross’ evolution into Harriet Tubman. $30 Members | $40 Non-Members | $20 Student
THE MAGIC OF MODERN ART SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 | 11:30AM–4:30PM Are you intimidated by modern and contemporary art, or feel that it’s too hard or confusing to understand? This interactive workshop led by Robyn Jamison, MFA, invites participants to experience modern and contemporary art in a fresh, empowering way. Whether you’re a seasoned museum-goer or someone who feels unsure around moder art, this experience offers a liberating new lens to appreciate and talk about modern art. Box lunch included. $70 Members | $85 Non-Members
PICTURING RESISTANCE: THE EVOLVING IMAGERY OF HARRIET TUBMAN WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 | 6PM How can art shape the face of a resistance? And what separates the mythology of a movement from the individuals who lived it? Inspired by the exhibition Picturing Freedom, this conversation will focus on the evolution of the imagery and language used to describe Harriet Tubman. Free
VISITING ARTISTS
VISITING ARTIST
VISITING ARTIST
RIVVO KRUUK
ANDREA TUTON
SESSION 3
SESSION 3
SEPTEMBER 1 – OCTOBER 12, 2025
SEPTEMBER 1 – OCTOBER 12, 2025
Inspired by different languages and cultures, Kruuk’s work is a celebration of diversity and a fusion of cultural elements. He is drawn to the raw energy and expressive nature of graffiti art and pop culture, infusing his paintings with a sense of immediacy and contemporary relevance.
Andrea Tuton is the designer behind A plus, and independent fashion label. Tuton believes that clothing helps us to alter our character, changing how we perceive ourselves, by acting as a second skin. Her current practice is one of creating dreamy garments that blur high fantasy into reality.
STUDIO WORKSHOP
C O U R T E S Y O F C O O K I E WA S H I N G TO N
RAG QUILTING FOR ADULTS WITH COOKIE WASHINGTON SEPTEMBER 15 – 19 | 10AM–5PM (TOTAL OF 35 HOURS) Washington will lead a five-day workshop exploring ancestral weaving and sustainable creativity. Using her own rich family lineage and the creative work of generations of women who came before, Cookie will guide participants through a regenerative process of breathing new life into discarded textiles while reducing our environmental impact. $750 Members | $800 Non-Members
RUTH AND BILL BAKER ART SALES GALLERY
WORKS BY
BRITTNEY WASHINGTON MAY 21 – JULY 2, 2025
WORKS BY
KATELYN CHAPMAN AUGUST 13 – SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
I M AG E S BY T H O M A S P H OTO G R A P H E R S A N D M C G P H OTO G R A P H Y
SUMMER CAMP FOR AGES 4–16 JUNE 2 – AUGUST 1, 2025 Check the website at GIBBESMUSEUM.ORG for camp themes and pricing.
135 MEETING STREET, CHARLESTON, SC 29401 | 843.722.2706 | GIBBESMUSEUM.ORG | @theGibbesMuseum F R O N T I M AG E : Moon Rise over the Combahee River (detail), by J Henry Fair (American, b. 1959). © J Henry Fair.