“Transforming Lives through Art”

April 7, 2009: Angela Mack, former club member and current Executive Director of the Gibbes Museum, returned to the club to speak about The Gibbes. The Gibbes Museum has a long history in Charleston, having been founded following a bequeathment from James Gibbes in 1905. The museum is recognizable for its “Acropolis”-style structure, which sits higher than all the buildings around it on Meeting Street. Ms. Mack referred to Charleston the “birthplace of Southern Art,” and described how the Carolina Arts Association, founded 1858, was called upon to be a co-trustee of the Gibbes Museum in its early days.

The museum showcases an array of collections, from Japanese Print Collection, to 2008’s “Landscape of Slavery,” or last autumn’s “Grass Roots” collection, the most comprehensive exhibition of sweet grass baskets every assembled.

The Gibbes is more than just an art museum, however. In fact, it partners with numerous local schools to bring education and fun to those aged K-12. Students can enjoy the “Art academy” and “Art to go” programs. There are after school and summer art programs. There is also an interactive website for children, which was 3 years in the making. A new program will also be started to offer a 4 credit class in Art History for College of Charleston students. Members of the museum may also audit this class.

All of these factors support the fact that the Gibbes appeals to the broadest possible audience. It is “in the business of transforming lives through art.” We enjoyed this visit from Angela Mack, and hope she will return to see us soon!

Reported by Jackie Grau, Keyway Committee