Keely Laughlin Photography 

There is so much that we can learn from art.

A painting is a snapshot of someone’s emotion in a moment of time. A sculpture is an interpretation of life. A photograph is a balance of the real and imagined.

As a Charleston resident, we’re lucky to have an art museum with paintings and sculptures from the 18^th and 19^th centuries. It also has a gallery that explores the 20^th century and Charleston renaissance. And, right now, it has a space that looks at printmaking and a day at the beach.

In each of these galleries, Charleston is purely represented by a moment and emotion in time.

Keely Laughlin photography

Printmaking: Process to Product 

This exhibit, which is only at the Gibbes until September 16, 2018, was my favorite.

Maybe it’s because I am an English major, but learning how colonial Americans used the technology available to them at the time to copy paintings and distribute images of historical events was fascinating.

This collection contains prints created using various printmaking processes. The installation pairs prints with rarely exhibited plates, blocks, and printmaking tools from the museum archives.

About the Gibbes Museum of Art 

By 1790, Charleston was the fourth wealthiest city in the newly formed United States. Due to the port, the city was a melting pot of culture, religion and tradition.

But, Charleston is not without its scars. Though rich in money and culture, Charleston is also home to slavery and war. In 1888, Charleston was crippled both financially and culturally. Then, benefactor James Gibbes left a bequest to the city to build an art museum.

The Gibbes opened in 1905. In March 2011, The Gibbes began its five-year renovation and program expansion. It was reopened in 2016.

Now, the Gibbes is home to an expanded Museum store, which is also great for everyday gifts. Recently, The Daily Café opened on the other side of the Museum.

The Lenhardt Garden is a classical garden with contemporary touches. When it isn’t raining, it’s a beautiful place to sit and escape the business of Meeting Street, even though it is just steps away.

Thanks to Keely Laughlin Photography for the photographs.