Essential Guide - Charleston, SC | Savannah, GA | The Lowcountry by Alex Ignacio

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Savannah • Jacksonville

A n t i q u e & E s tat e Collection

Historic Downtown, corner of Broughton and Drayton streets • Monday through Saturday 10am to 5:30pm All items are subject to prior sale.

Savannah • Jacksonville

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front cover Stephen Scott Young “Summer Fishing” watercolor • 18½ x 17½ inches Morris & Whiteside Galleries 843-842-4433 • www.morris-whiteside.com page 41

Lobby, Mansion on Forsyth Park

TheA rt of travel Grand Bohemian Gallery • 700 Drayton Restaurant 700 Kitchen Cooking School • Poseidon Spa 700 Drayton Street • Savannah, GA • (912)238-5158 • mansiononforsythpark.com kesslercollection.com

Contents essential features Charleston Art - Uptown, Downtown, All Around the Town 26-30 Essential Art Spotlights 34-36 The Charleston Artist Guild Gallery 38-39 The Charleston Art Auction 40 Celebrating the Art of Glass 42-44 Historic Charleston Foundation 52-53 The Telfair Museums 54-55 The Perfect Southern Party 56-59 “Southern Hospitality” 59 Cooking A Lot More Than Grits! 62-66 Essential Dining Spotlight 66 Four Weddings and a Destination 69-74 Design Story 78-79 Charleston City Market 81 SCA D Presents Savannah 82-87 Savannah City Market 88-90 Savannah’s Hidden Charms 91-93 Essential Fashion 96-99 April Johnston’s Take On Savannah Style 102 Essential Classes 108-109 Publish & Prosper 107 A Home Run in Charleston 111 Take it Outside! 112-117 A D.R.E.A.M of Place 120 SC Coastal Essentials 121-123 Essential Plantations 124-127 Beaufort, 450 Years In The Making 128-130 The Golden Isles 131-133 Essential Non-Profits 134-135 The Valentine Project 134 The 200 Club 135

maps The Lowcountry Regional Map 16 Downtown Charleston Map 19 Downtown Savannah Map 20

essential art + galleries + museums

essential excursions + events + classes

Aiken-Rhett House Museum 52-53 Ann Long Fine Art 26 Art Central Gallery 118 Coco Vivo Fine Art Back Cover, 136 Ebb Tide Art Gallery 32 Edward Dare Gallery Back Cover Eva Carter 31, 34 Four Green Fields Gallery 118 Gibbes Museum of Art 50-51 Grand Bohemian Gallery 11 Helen Fox Fine Art 4-5, 36 Jepson Center 54 Jim Victor 46 Judy Hintz Cox 33 Martin Gallery 29 Mary Edna Fraser 45 Michael Mitchell Gallery 46-49 Morris & Whiteside Galleries Front Cover, 41 Nathaniel Russell House Museum 52-53 Owens-Thomas House Museum 55 Raffiné Galerie 90 Reynolds Square Fine Art Gallery 36, 37 Robert Lange Studios Fine Art Gallery 28 Sandpiper Gallery Back Cover SCAD Museum of Art 84 Sculpture in the South 118 Smith Killian Gallery 18 Stephen J. Kasun Fine art Studios 35, 88 Telfair Academy 54 Telfair Museums Inside Back Cover, 54-55, 144 The Charleston Artist Guild Gallery 38-39 The Sylvan Gallery 13 Wells Gallery 43

700 Kitchen Cooking School 11, 109 Accent On Wine & More 108 Beaufort, 450 Years In The Making 128-130 Essential Plantations 124-127 Events Listing 22-24 Middleton Places Classes 109 People, Places and Quilts 108 Savannah Music Festival 24-25 SC Coastal Essentials 121-123 The Golden Isles 131-133 Visit Savannah 25, 83

essential events Events Listing 22-24 Visit Savannah 23, 83 Savannah Music Festival 23

essential dining 700 Drayton 11 Anson Restaurant 63 Charleston Grill 56 Garibaldi 67 Inn at Palmetto Bluff 5-6 Laura Alberts 60-61 Middleton Place Restaurant 2-3 The Olde Pink House 64

For more information on all of our features and advertisers visit www.essentialguide.com and follow us on

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Contents essential style + jewelry East Winds, Coastal Inspired Goods 118 BleuBelle 94 BleuBelle Bridal 71 Bob Ellis Shoes 104, 139 Finicky Filly 15 Globe Shoe Company 21, 95, 138 Grand Bohemian Gallery 11 Hampden 100- 101 Historic Charleston Foundation 52-53 Levy Jewelers 8-9, 143 Mangled Courtesan 98 Tabby Boutique 103 The Boutique 75 The Porcupine 106 The Trunk Show 105 Wells Gallery 43

essential weddings Charleston Place Hotel 56, 68 BleuBelle Bridal 71 Inn at Palmetto Bluff 6-7 Laura Alberts 60-61 Mansion on Forsyth Park 11 Middleton Plantation 2-3 Rhett House Inn 129, 141 Susan Mason Catering 73 The Boutique (Gifts & Lingerie) 75

the essential guide silver anniversary Coco Vivo Fine Art 136 Bob Ellis Shoes 139 Globe Shoe Company 138 J Banks Design 142 Levy Jewelers 143 Middleton Plantation + Place 140 Rhett House Inn 141 Telfair Museums 144

essential outdoors + spas + wellness Brigadoon Lodge 113 Inn at Palmetto Bluff 6-7 The Poseidon Spa 11 The Spa at Charleston Place 68

essential shopping + services

essential architecture + design

Charleston Preferred Properties 17 700 Kitchen Cooking School 109 Accent on Wine & More 108, 118 Charleston City Market 81 City Market, Savannah 88-90 CPM Federal Credit Union 110 FlyLine Wine 115 Jeanne Brooks and Associates 59 Laura Alberts 60-61 Lydia Inglett, LTD-Book Publishing 86 Middleton Place Classes 109 People, Places and Quilts 108, 118 Summerville D.R.E.A.M. 118-119 Susan Mason Catering 73 The Village Knittery 109, 118

East Winds, Coastal Inspired Goods 118 24e 76-75 Historic Charleston Foundation 52 J Banks Design Inside Cover, 1, 142 Marigoldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 118 Merrill Benfield Interior Design 80 Piazza Home Interiors 118 The Boutique 75 Working Class Studio/SCAD 87

essential lodging + real estate Inn at Middleton Place 2-3, 140 Brigadoon Lodge 113 Charleston Place Hotel 56, 68 Charleston Preferred Properties 17 Mansion on Forsyth Park 11 Rhett House Inn 129, 141 The Inn at Palmetto Bluff 6-7

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HISTORIC

Charleston 19

HISTORIC

Savannah

Essential Lowcountry Events Charleston photo: Andrew Cebulka

BBT CHARLESTON WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL (Mar 1-4, 2012) Benefiting local charities, this annual festival celebrates Charleston’s renowned culture: its “blues, barbecue, brew” and much, much more. www.charlestonwineandfood.com

CHARLESTON FASHION WEEK (Mar 20-24, 2012) Founded in 2007 to showcase emerging East Coast designers and models, this event has fast become one of North America’s premier fashion weeks. www.charlestonfashionweek.com COOPER RIVER BRIDGE RUN (Mar 31, 2012) Participants in this world-class, wonderfully organized 10K race will enjoy striking views of the Charleston area as they traverse the 200-foot high, 2.5-mile Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, North America’s longest cable-stayed bridge. This annual event, now in its 35th year, also includes a 10K run/walk and a 13-and-under Kids Run. Proceeds benefit 12 charities. www.bridgerun.com

performances by renowned artists as well as emerging performers in opera, theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music. www.spoletousa.org

PICCOLO SPOLETO (same dates) is a companion festival organized by the city of Charleston that presents local and regional performing and visual artists in hundreds of performances at venues citywide. It provides access to the festival for everyone, especially children. www.piccolospoleto.com

CHARLESTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (Apr 11–15, 2012) Charleston’s five-day premier film event, held in Downtown Charleston and Cinebarre, presents features, shorts, documentaries, and animations from across America and around the globe.

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP, KIAWAH ISLAND (Aug 9-12, 2012) When the acclaimed Kiawah Island Golf Resort hosts the 94th PGA Championship this year, its spectacular Ocean Course will become only the fifth course ever to host the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup and the Senior PGA Championship.

www.charlestoninternationalfilmfestival.org

www.pga.com

SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA (May 25–June 10, 2012) Internationally recognized as America’s foremost performing arts festival, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston’s historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces with

CHARLESTON ART AUCTION (Oct 20, 2012) This CAA is a leading fine art auction that offers collectors significant paintings, sculpture and vintage prints by deceased and contemporary masters of the South. www.charlestonartauction.com

Plating for BBT Charleston Wine + Food Festival

MOJA ARTS FESTIVAL (Sept 27-Oct 7, 2012) For those of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and economic circumstances, this 10-day event is an opportunity to learn about and experience the Charleston area’s rich AfricanAmerican and Caribbean heritage. Now in its 29th year, it features classical music, jazz, gospel, theatre, dance, storytelling, poetry, visual arts, food and more. www.mojafestival.com.

Lowcountry Oyster Festival (Jan 2013) Named on the “top 20 events in the southeast,” this is the world’s largest oyster festival—80,000 pounds of them! Highlights include oyster shucking and eating contests, wine, domestic and imported beers, live music, a children’s area and a food court with fare from favorite local restaurants. www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com

Beaufort BEAUFORT SHRIMP FESTIVAL (Oct 5-6, 2012) Held at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort, this 17th annual festival will shine the spotlight on Lowcountry cuisine and offer fun activities for all ages. Savor Lowcountry traditions and cuisine and dance under the stars. www.downtownbeaufort.com

Bluffton

Hilton Head HILTON HEAD ISLAND GULLAH CELEBRATION (Feb 1-29, 2012) A showcase for the arts, crafts, foods and history of the Native Island Gullah people, this celebration features a month-long art exhibit, gospel extravaganza, an Arts, Crafts and Food Expo, National Freedom Day Celebration, Taste of Gullah, and De Gullah Playhouse. www.gullahcelebration.com

HILTON HEAD ISLAND WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL (Mar 5-10, 2012) Now in its 27th year and one of the East Coast’s largest tented wine festivals, this event brings together wine, spirits and food lovers for a six-day celebration. Wine lovers and foodies can sample outstanding domestic and international wines along some of the Lowcountry's best cuisine. www.hiltonheadwineandfood.com

WING FEST (Mar 24, 2012) This 17th annual family-friendly event lets you local restaurants’ best wings and vote for your favorite! Enjoy live music, a kids’ zone, and more. Proceeds benefit a local children’s scholarship fund. www.islandreccenter.org

RBC HERITAGE PGA TOUR GOLF TOURNAMENT (Apr 9-15, 2012) Sponsored by the Royal Bank of Canada and one of the most beloved, respected and charitable stops on the PGA Tour, this tourney is one of golf's greatest traditions. Now in its 43rd year, this PGA Tour event is back to its traditional spot, the week after the Masters.

MUSIC TO YOUR MOUTH (Nov 11-17, 2012) A one-of-akind culinary experience that unites some of the South’s best chefs, winemakers, musicians and artists for a week’s worth of festivities. It’s held at the Inn at Palmetto Bluffs, a special place that embodies the very essence of the Lowcountry. www.musictoyourmouth.com

www.rbcheritage.com

HISTORIC BLUFFTON ARTS AND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL (Oct 14-21, 2012) For the seventh time, this weeklong event’s myriad activities highlight locally harvested seafood, delicious Lowcountry cuisine, and the area’s rich history, culture and art—all served up with Bluffton’s legendary Southern hospitality.

www.artfestival.com

HILTON HEAD ISLAND ART FESTIVAL (May 26-27, 2012) More than 150 of America's finest artists will descend on Hilton Head Island at Shelter Cove Harbour. This now annual event has become a favorite of both tourists and locals. Visit with artists displaying paintings, jewelry, sculpture, photography, pottery and much more.

Savannah events continues on page 24

www.blufftonartsandseafood.com

Savannah Events SAVANNAH MUSIC FESTIVAL (Feb 13-Apr 23, 2012) A world-class celebration of the musical arts that presents timeless and adventurous productions. Georgia's largest musical arts event and one of the most distinctive crossgenre music festivals in the world, it includes dance, film, and narrative programs. www.savannahmusicfestival.org ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION (Mar 17, 2012) Carrying on the 188-year tradition of honoring Savannah’s patron saint, the day’s festivities begin with mass at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in historic downtown Savannah, followed by the second-largest parade in the world! Related events begin two weeks prior.

TASTE OF SAVANNAH (Sept 14, 2012) The city's greatest chefs dishing up their finest creations for visitors and residents to sample. National food magazine writers judge the food in categories such as taste, decoration and presentation. www.tasteofsavannah.org

www.savannahsaintpatricksday.com

OKTOBERFEST ON THE RIVER (Oct 5-7, 2012) Held on River Street on the riverfront, this fun-filled festival serves up entertainment, German food, games, fun, regional arts and crafts, fireworks, wiener dog races and much, much more!. Come get your oompah on!

SAVANNAH TOUR OF HOMES & GARDENS (Mar 22-25, 2012) This tour offers a rare opportunity to enter some of Savannah’s finest private homes and admire furnishings that have been treasured for generations by families, but seldom seen by visitors. In addition to walking tours, you can enjoy seminars, special evening events and outstanding Southern food and hospitality.

SAVANNAH FILM FESTIVAL (Oct 27-Nov 3, 2012) Hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design, this annual festival presents the full range of cinematic creativity from award-winning professionals and emerging student filmmakers. Come see the best in independent and innovative films from around the world.

www.riverstreetsavannah.com

www.savannahtourofhomes.org

http://filmfest.scad.edu

SCAD'S SIDEWALK ARTS FESTIVAL (April 28, 2012) This annual event draws thousands of visitors to view temporary chalk masterpieces sketched on the sidewalks of Savannah’s historic Forsyth Park. Now in its 31st year, the festival features a chalk art competition, children's drawing areas for young artists, and food, drinks and music. www.scad.edu

TELFAIR ART FAIR (Nov 9-11, 2012) The fair’s Arty Party and other events offer the perfect chance to meet artists and get sneak peaks at their works. Children are welcome to create, design, learn and have fun at the Family Art Lab. Experience Telfair at Twilight: enjoy art while sampling great food and drinks and listening to tunes. If you still can’t get enough, there’s a Sunday brunch in Telfair Square. www.telfair.org

SAVANNAH FASHION WEEK (May 14-17, 2012) For the third time, this annual event will present a special series of events focused on the unique styles of participating independent fashion and beauty retailers in the Savannah area. www.savannahfashionweek.org SAVANNAH CRAFT BREW FEST (Aug 31-Sept 2, 2012) Craft brew enthusiasts can enjoy seminars, discussions, the Craft Brew Dinner, International Craft Brew, and the 24

Grand Tasting, with its nearly 150 craft brews. More than 45 breweries are represented. Now in its fifth year, this threeday festival also features some great Coastal cuisine. www.savannahcraftbrewfest.com

SAVANNAH HOLLY DAYS WEEKEND (Nov 25-26, 2012) Celebrate the holidays with the Savannah Holly Days Tree Lighting, a visit from Santa Claus, live music from local entertainers, and dancing. Don’t miss the Festival of Lights Boat Parade! www.savannahhollydays.com

Clockwise from top left: "Lady in White" by Kim English at Smith Killian Fine Art; 2011 Piccolo Spoleto Mayor's Purchase Award Winner Jim Victor's "Sublime"; "Linear Regression" kiln formed glass by Greg Rawls at Coco Vivo; "Marin" by Jill Hooper at Ann Long Fine Art

Charleston Art Uptown, Downtown, All Around the Town by Rebekah Drysdale Charleston is a city defined by a tradition of cultural exceptionalism. Its vivid history, seductive natural beauty, and unwavering appreciation for the arts have brought it an unprecedented amount of international attention. In 2011 Charleston was proclaimed “The Paris of America” by Vanity Fair and “The Best City in the United States” by Condé Nast Traveler. In a cultural coup d'etat, Charleston pushed longtime placeholder San Francisco from its pedestal. Politely. Downtown Charleston is as much open-air museum as center of commerce, and Charleston is her own curator and conservator. Historic houses and buildings continue to be inhabited by contemporary families and businesses. These architectural archives contain cornices and moldings, heart pine floors and joists, and other structural components milled and planed before electrical power existed. Forged ironwork, patterned brick, and breathtaking gardens offer reminders that the city is an ongoing collaboration of architects, masons, carpenters, artisans, and designers. FRENCH QUARTER With its abundance of galleries, Charleston's historic French Quarter is often referred to as the city’s visual arts center. Framed by the waterfront to the east, Meeting Street to the west, Tradd Street to the south, and South Market to the north, the district is ideal for exploring on foot. As described on the French Quarter Gallery Association's website, “Visiting the French Quarter of Charleston is like stepping back in time.” (Mind your step: cobblestone streets and carriages prevail.) The Association is comprised of approximately 30 galleries representing more than 500 artists. Seasonal art walks take

place on the first Fridays of March, May, October, and December from 5 o'clock until 8 o'clock. Crowds of enthusiastic art patrons spill into the streets beginning at dusk. Ann Long Fine Art, located at 54 Broad Street, represents Charleston artist Jill Hooper, among other classically trained realists. A living master of her medium, Hooper travels extensively, creating exquisite and evocative portraits, landscapes, and still lifes. Her oil paintings are also on view at the Gibbes Museum on Meeting Street. Hooper is the youngest artist chosen for inclusion in the Gibbes’ permanent collection. Her work is exhibited and collected throughout the United States and in Europe. Robert and Megan Lange, owners of Robert Lange Studios at 2 Queen Street, represent a roster of skilled artists. With an emphasis on formalism, the Langes routinely present monographic exhibitions of new work by their artists, each distinguished by a highly personal technique. Kerry Brooks' predominantly figurative drawings are executed, astonishingly, in Prismacolor pencil. Nathan Durfee, named Best Local Visual Artist by Charleston City Paper, has seemingly unrestricted access to the universal imagination. Durfee's accumulative compositions spring from his subconscious, constituting a never-ending narrative series. Lange, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, is known for his thoughtprovoking hyperrealism. Process videos are available for viewing on the gallery's website, an online trove of artistic talent. As Dennis Whittle of the Huffington Post noted, “Prospective buyers are able to watch the works unfold, make comments, and interact with the artists, the gallery, and each other.” The digital presentation is fascinating. 27

GALLERY ROW Broad Street's Gallery Row functions as a central axis of the French Quarter. The enchanting nature of the lowcountry landscape provides inexhaustible inspiration for regional and national artists. Numerous galleries on and around the Row display diverse interpretations of this subject matter. The Spoleto Festival USA, held annually in Charleston, runs from May 25 to June 10 in 2012. Opera, theatre, music and dance abound, all showcased in historic theaters and churches. During the festival, Gallery Row hosts Spoleto Soleil, a series of art demonstrations, plein air painting, and artist receptions. Concurrently, Piccolo Spoleto, organized by the City of Charleston's Office of Cultural Affairs, celebrates performing, literary, and visual arts, with a focus on the Southeast region. Piccolo Spoleto, described as “the official outreach arm of Spoleto Festival USA,” presents 700 events during the larger festival, most of which are free.

At the corner of Broad and State Streets, Martin Gallery is housed on the first floor of the People's Building. Occupying the historic landmark's Grand Salon, the gallery displays more than 30 artists’ work in a comprehensive collection of painting, sculpture, art glass, jewelry, and ceramics, among other items. (An interesting architectural aside: The eight-story People's Building, erected in 1910-11, was Charleston's first “skyscraper.” At the time, many feared it would spoil the Charleston skyline, while others considered it to be a mark of progress. On a presidential visit in 1912, William Howard Taft stated 28

from atop the building, “I don't believe that it did ruin the skyline, but if it did, the view from up here makes it worth it.” When the People's Building first opened, curious Charlestonians would visit it simply to ride the steel frame elevators. Today, the upper floors contain private residences and are no longer accessible to the public.) If you find yourself in need of sustenance or libation, the Blind Tiger is conveniently located at 38 Broad Street. A perennial favorite among locals, the Tiger is a legendary pub. The lovely walled courtyard in the rear is considered one of Charleston’s best outdoor dining spots. UPTOWN While southern parts of town reflect a traditional aesthetic, an emerging and evolving contemporary culture is beginning to gain recognition and exposure near and north of Calhoun Street. This is largely due to the growing prestige of the College of Charleston. Founded in 1770, it was the first municipal college in the country. Centrally located on the peninsula, the campus is one of the most visually pleasing places to perambulate. Tourists, however, should watch out for cyclists: when classes are changing, throngs of students may suddenly emerge from the buildings. Crowds subside within 10-15 minutes.

The College of Charleston's School of the Arts is one of the nation’s fastest growing arts schools. The Marion and Wayland H. Cato, Jr. Center for the Arts, on the corner of Calhoun and St. Philip Streets, opened in 2010 to accommodate the burgeoning enrollment. The 71,000-square"Observing the Colors of Morning" sitting on the ground by Robert Lange at Robert Lange Studios

foot building houses the must-see Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art on the first floor. Directed by artist, curator, and author Mark Sloan since 1994, the Halsey Institute’s new gallery space is an outstanding contemporary art resource for students and faculty, as well as for the region at large. Sloan has organized remarkable exhibitions of contemporary art in the past several years. The Cato building’s remaining four floors are devoted to various disciplines within the School of the Arts. The significant expansion of the college's art facilities reflects the city's commitment to the arts as well as its success in attracting exceptional talent. Many alumni choose to remain in Charleston, expanding the pool of emerging talent and entrepreneurship in the arts. Redux Contemporary Art Center, farther north on St. Philip, is evidence of this. Encompassing both gallery and studio space, Redux was established by a group of College of Charleston graduates, and has nurtured creativity in the city for more than a decade. A non-profit organization, Redux offers educational programming, lecture series, and film screenings. It exhibits the work of local and national artists, significantly enhancing the cultural dynamic of the community. You can spot the building by the ever-changing mural on its south facade. For street art enthusiasts, the vestiges of a Shepard Fairey mural can be seen a few blocks from Redux. It was executed in 2010 on the front of 103 Spring Street. It is currently being tagged by local street artists, Ishmael among them. Though he now resides in California, contemporary artist and Charleston native Fairey gained national attention in 2008 with his iconic Barack Obama “HOPE” poster. In 2009 the National Portrait Gallery acquired the portrait for its permanent collection. Fairey is also known for his “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” sticker campaign, which evolved into the more ubiquitous “Obey Giant” design. Fairey's propaganda, later described by the artist as an experiment in phenomenology, can be seen on numerous Charleston light posts, street signs, and other urban fixtures. A distinctive, noteworthy body of unsanctioned art continues to appear in Charleston. 30

The pseudonymous DYK exhibits large-scale works of art, incorporating images of indigenous peoples of the American West, as well as creatures of the artist's own invention. Mounted on panels, the works grace unoccupied buildings near and around the I-26 overpass. The bohemian energy is palpable. An influx of artists, writers, musicians, and other creative types has le to the rise of studio and mixed-use spaces in former industrial buildings. In 2010, with the arrival of Tivoli at 656 King Street, Charleston gained some much-needed studio and informal exhibition space. A repurposed warehouse with a soaring barrel-vaulted ceiling, Tivoli maintains an “open-door” policy. It is accessible 24 hours a day to the dozen or so artists who have studio space there. It is open to visitors by appointment, or by chance. Nic Roberts opened Tivoli on the supposition that ample working space for artists “unlocks creative potential that might otherwise go unseen.” Artist Andrew Smock moved to Charleston from Chicago in 2010, and he has had a studio at Tivoli since its inception. When asked to assess Charleston's contemporary culture, Smock, Art Director at graphic design firm Hook, describes it as “evolving as it should be, but ready for an explosion.” While these new creative clusters are less steeped in Charleston's history, they nonetheless enhance the region's contemporary relevance by providing new creative content. Both Tivoli and Redux are indicative of an underlying culture that is open-minded and diverse. Charleston's historically significant past will remain visible for generations to come. Founded in beauty and forged by war, Charleston has weathered earthquake, occupation, bombardment, siege, flood, fire, and named storms. Loss breeds resiliency, which spurs innovation. This southern city, always a port of culture, honors history, but refuses to be fettered by tradition. As the tenthterm major of Charleston, Joe Riley simply states, “We're the perfect example of what's going on in America.” The old is new again.

Plan a visit for a private showing of latest works.

Intention Oil on Canvas, 72 x 66 inches

Downtown Studio 6 Gillon Street, Suite 8 (second floor) Charleston, SC 29401 Just north of the Old Exchange Building

By Appointment Only Please call (843) 478-2522 www.EvaCarterGallery.com 31

Ebb Tide Art Gallery A New Lowcountry Perspective

Joseph Bradley

Dee Rhodes

Austin Ball

Debra Howard

Steven Jordan

320 West Coleman Boulevard In the Shops of Mt. Pleasant Mt. Pleasant SC | 843-856-0452 32

John Townsend

Lynne Hamontree

www.ebbtideart.com

Right: And So It Is 48 x 48.5 inches oil & dry encaustic on canvas Below: Ebb Tide 44 x 48 inches epoxy resin & oil on canvas

Judy Hintz Cox 410-725-6629 â&#x20AC;˘ judy.cox13@gmail.com www.judyhintzcox.com Exhibited nationwide, including at Huff Harrington Gallery, Atlanta; Broadhurst Gallery, Pinehurst, NC; and B2 Fine Art, Tacoma, WA

Studio visits welcomed 33

Essential Art Spotlights Each year the The Essential Guide spotlights certain worthy artists, organizations, or activities. This year we are pleased to feature artists Eva Carter, Joe Saffold, and West Fraser and CFADA, the Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association. Eva Carter A lifetime of creative exploration informs Eva Carter’s art, and place has played a pivotal role. Carter, who lives on Wadmalaw Island, tells us: “At age 16, I left my home in the mountains of Tennessee to visit New Mexico. That, and many later trips, exposed me to a new world of color, texture, light and shadow. After college, I experimented with many media. My earliest paintings show hints of design elements that re-emerge later. Settling in Charleston, I chose to explore limits of scale and push color to the extreme. Oil paint on canvas and abstract expressionism became the means to do this, and also to create texture and depth. Now, each brushstroke is a deliberate decision; I love it”. She continues, “The lifestyle I lead here in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, close to nature and by the water, gives me insight into my place in the world. The everchanging tides, wildlife, and weather combined with my strong visual sense, as does the contrast with the stark landscape and pure blue sky of the New Mexico high desert, feeds my urge to create. Each painting is an adventure, starting with line or color, responding to the moment, with no destination in mind. The process of creating, destroying, changing, until some new vision emerges is a personal journey. My hope is that the viewer will share, through their own filter of experience, the joy and mystery of my art.” Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association CFADA was founded in 1999 by gallery owners and artists committed to establishing Charleston as a fine art destination. Each of CFADA’s eight gallery members has a reputation as a knowledgeable fine art dealer who maintains the highest level of professionalism. The association strives not only to encourage recognition of 34

"In Plain Sight" by Eva Carter

Charleston as a fine art destination on a national level, but also supports artists of the future and contributes to the city’s cultural life through their exhibitions and expertise. Toward these ends, CFADA has donated more than $240,000 to local high schools art programs, the Gibbes Museum of Art, Redux Art Center and the Studio Art Department at the College of Charleston. CFADA hosts two annual fundraising events: the Palette and Palate Stroll in the summer and the Charleston Fine Art Annual in the fall. For more information on CFADA, please visit www.cfada.com.

Stephen J. Kasun fine art studios

Forsyth Park oil on canvas 30 x 40 inches

See Stephen Kasun at either of his studios use painting knives and oil paint to create impressionistic paintings of Charleston and Savannah

Studio • 113 Church Street • Charleston City Market Art Center • Savannah 407.474.0411 • stephen@kasunstudio.com www.kasunstudio.com 35

Joe Saffold Painter, gallery owner, and Savannah native Joe Saffold began to paint as a child, encouraged by his parents. He writes, “From an early age, my work has evolved over the course of many years, through varying interests, thought processes and influences. I am inspired by this place (Savannah), its history and unique landscape, and have spent many hours contemplating the rivers, marshes and majestic skies of the southeast. The beauty of the human figure is also a significant source of inspiration. In particular, portraits and compositions depicting the female form are an ongoing focus for me.” The owner of Reynolds Square Gallery, he adds, “Having a gallery has been a lifelong goal. I appreciate the opportunity to show my paintings to people from all over the world. It gives me a chance to discuss the work and hear their responses in an attractive setting for the visitor as well as the artist.”

Above: "Turning Point" by Joe Saffold Right: "In My Own Way" by West Fraser

West Fraser “Like a preacher is called to preach, that is how I started to paint,” recalls West Fraser. “I grew up along the coast of Georgia and South Carolina where the salt water rises up twice every day to meet the humid air filled with the aroma of decay. It is a very pleasant smell, and seems to draw those of us born here back. Since the beginning of my search for artistic expression, I have found inspiration amongst the fauna and vistas that makes the Lowcountry unique. My natural tendency is to roam the woods and shores of this coast in search of compositions in the landscape and to make a study of the season’s air and clouds. I have committed my life to capturing in paint a ‘portrait of place’ that reveals the land of my birth. Along the way, though, a love for painting has led me into new regions and countries. I approach all of my paintings specifically for capturing the sense of place, not as a copy, but more an illusion for the viewer to walk into and perhaps recognize the where and when of my experiences.” Fraser adds thoughtfully, “As I have matured into this career, I find that new challenges in painting keep me going, for I have never been one to remain the same.”

Joe Saffold

Yellow Storm

36” x 48”

oil on linen

31 Abercorn Street Savannah, Georgia reynoldssquarefineart.com 912-236-9797

Mark Beale

Catherine Beard

Russell Buskirk

Karole Turner Campbell

Susanne Frenzel

Ron Gibb

Jane Hart

Andrea Hazel

Pat Huff

Ryoko Miller

Mary Sayas

Pam Schussel

Bob Wilson

Faye Sullivan

Ginny Versteegen

160 E. Bay St., Charleston, SC 29401 Phone: 843-722-2425

CharlestonArtistGuild.com charlestonartist@bellsouth.net

The Charleston Artist Guild Gallery

Ellen Bass

39 39

Charleston Art Auction One of the most popular arts events in the Lowcountry is the annual Charleston Art Auction. Now in its seventh year, the auction attracts collectors throughout the Southeast and beyond, who travel to Charleston to bid in person or register for telephone and absentee bids. The 2011 sale offered one hundred and eleven lots including drawings, paintings and sculpture. This seasonal event is eagerly anticipated by collectors who enjoy the electrifying atmosphere of a live auction. The auction is organized by Morris & Whiteside Galleries, Hilton Head Island, and The Sylvan Gallery, Charleston. Both galleries are dedicated to representational American art and are specifically focused on Southern art and artists. “Our objective is to build a secondary market for both contemporary and deceased artists work in the Southern genre,” said Ben Whiteside . “Last year we featured works by Elizabeth O’Neill Verner, William Halsey, William Aiken Walker, Alfred Hutty, Gilbert Gaul, Eudora Welty, Edward von S. Dingle and George Hand Wright as well as Stephen Scott Young, Jonathan Green, Mary Whyte and Glenna Goodacre” Whiteside added. Works are consigned to the auction from public, private and corporate collections as well as galleries in the CFADA. Sales commissions are competitive and the auction’s Buyer’s Premium of 15% is among the lowest in the industry compared to Sotheby’s and Christies’ 25%. A color catalogue, illustrating all items, is mailed to several thousand collectors throughout the United States a month ahead of the sale and all 40

by Erin Connal

lots are available for inspection at the galleries. A public preview is open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. the day of the auction and a cocktail reception is held at 5:00 p.m. Bidders are encouraged to pre-resister. Auction organizer, Jack A. Morris, Jr. has been a licensed auctioneer conducting sales in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona as well as South Carolina for over forty years. He was founding partner of the nationally acclaimed Scottsdale Art Auction that leads the industry in Western art sales. Most important, the auction is service oriented. “We frequently arrange for pick-up and delivery of the artwork” Whiteside says, “and we have our own in-house shipping department.” Consultation for potential consignments is free and current market estimates are established and published in the catalogue to guide prospective bidders. The entire auction is posted on the Charleston Art Auction website with internet bidding available as well as the telephone and absentee bid service. The real excitement, however, is to attend the sale in person. Admission is free and collectors enjoy the high energy, fast pace style of nationally recognized auctioneer, Gerald Bowie, and his staff of skilled spotters who move the sale along at one lot per minute. Bidders can expect two solid hours of top flight arts entertainment and for those unable to attend the auction in person, sale results are posted at www.AskArt.com. Auction info: 843-842-4433 charlestonartauction.com Dan McCaw's "Clouds Beach Sand"

Jonathan Green

Young Bride

Oil

60” by 72”

For additional information contact the gallery at

843•842•4433 • www.morris-whiteside.com

Morris & Whiteside Galleries 220 Cordillo Parkway • Hilton Head Island • South Carolina • 29928 41

Celebrating the Art of Glass by Lorraine Edge Castillo

lass is the only material that actually transmits light. In one form or another, it has been used by artists since 250 B.C. to express cultural beliefs, ideas and, sometimes, just pure imagination. From Murano, Italy, the birthplace of glass, to the colder shores of Washington State, glass artists have coaxed beautiful forms from fire, using nothing more than their breath and a few simple tools.

Photo: Bailey Davidson

The world of contemporary glass art is flourishing, and the medium is now being recognized as a fine art. The term “glass art” typically is used to describe large modern, oneof-a-kind artworks made mainly or wholly of glass. In contrast, “art glass” and “studio glass” refer to smaller pieces, many created in editions of multiples. Even so there is not agreement on the precise definitions of either. Because of the need for intense heat, glass artists were often forced to go to commercial factories to work. That changed in 1962 when Harvey K. Littleton, a Cranbrooktrained ceramist and teaching ceramist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and Dominick Labino, a glass research scientist, made the glassmaking more accessible. Littleton discovered glass could be melted at a temperature low enough for artists to use small home-

studio furnaces. The Studio Glass movement founded by Littleton and Labino led to the creation of art glass studios, workshops and schools in the United States, and the movement quickly spread to other countries. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the movement’s founding, a cause for a major celebration. To see where the future of glass art is headed and to celebrate this unique art form, head to Toledo, Ohio for the 42nd annual Glass Art Society Conference. With the theme of “Idea– Impact–Innovation,” it is slated for June 13-16, 2012. (www.glassart.org/2012_ Toledo_OH.html) If you are in New York’s Finger Lakes Wine Country region, check out the Corning Museum of Glass, which commemorated its 60th year in 2011. The museum’s special exhibitions on Littleton and Labino honor the 50th anniversary of the birth of the American Studio Glass Movement. Take advantage of the museum’s Annual Seminar on Glass, as well as the many other presentations throughout the year by renowned glass artists, scholars, curators, and glass experts. (www.cmog.org) Littleton’s students included Marvin Lipofsky and Dale Chihuly, who became major pioneers in the glass art

David Levi (American b. 1959), "Artichoke Jar", 1999, Colored glass 20½ inches tall (detail shown) Telfair Museum, Gift of Danyse G. and Julius Edel, 2007, photo courtesy of The Telfair Museums

K AR EN L ARSON T U RNE R

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Pleas e vis it o ur two l oca ti ons :

1 S ANCTUARY B EACH D R , T HE S ANCTUARY R ESORT , K IAWAH I SLAND , SC 29455. (843)576-1290 1 2 5 M E ET IN G S T REET , A BOV E Q UE EN S TRE ET , C HARLESTO N , S C 2 9 4 0 1. (8 43 )85 3-3 23 3

WW W. WELLS GAL LE RY.C OM

world. In the late 1960s and early 1970s they helped promote the movement’s expansion across the country. Chihuly eventually founded the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, nestled in the Cascade Mountain foothills. Today, these influential working artists Lipofsky and Chihuly are regarded as luminaries, and justifiably so. One of Chihuly’s Pilchuk students, David Goldhagen, lives and works in North Carolina, but shows in Charleston-Kiawah at the Wells Gallery. Goldhagen is known especially for his graceful, sensual, multicolor glass platters. Some have diameters in excess of 40 inches, a feat that requires unusual strength and mastery of technique. (www.goldhagenartglass.com) Wells Gallery also has treasures for women who love glass jewelry. Felice Killian of Felice Designs uses the technique known as lampworking–spinning, layering and shaping molten morretti glass into the gorgeous beads she uses for her one-of-a-kind creations. Visit her beautiful shop on hip upper King Street in Charleston. (www. wellsgallery.com; www.felicedesigns.com) In the Charleston, Savannah, and Lowcountry there are many opportunities to learn about glass art and join in the

anniversary festivities this year. From July 7 to October 2, Savannah’s Telfair Museum hosts its first contemporary glass exhibition. Blown, Assembled and Cast: A Celebration of Contemporary Glass features approximately 30 works from the museum’s studio glass collection. One of the highlights is Therman Statom’s custom-built glass house. Statom created it in 2006 for the Interpretative Gallery of the Jepson Center for the Arts, the Telfair’s newest facility. Other noteworthy artists in the show are Rick Beck, Jose Chardiet, Stephen Dee Edwards, Sydney Hutter, Jon Kuhn, David Levi, Charles Miner, Mark J. Sudduth, and Bertil Vallien. In conjunction with the contemporary art glass exhibition, the Telfair will host a variety of educational events and opportunities. These include docent-guided tours, lectures by internationally noted artists and regional glass artisans, children’s activities for exploring transparency and color, and outreach programs for youth and seniors. Glass sculptor Therman Statom will present an evening lecture. Savannah-based glass artist Jonathan Poirer, who studied at the Swedish glass laboratory Transjö Hytta under master artist Jan-Erik Ritzman, will offer an introduction to glassblowing workshop. (www.telfair.org) Charleston’s Mary Martin Gallery (www.marymartinart. com) carries topnotch contemporary glass artists Gilles Payette, David Lotton, Densaburou Oku, and Alessandro Casson. The work of fused-glass artist and sculptor Greg Rawls can be seen Charleston’s Edward Dare Gallery (www.edwarddare.com). As the winner of the 35th Annual Cooper Ridge Bridge Image Design Competition, Rawls has the image of his dazzling glass “bridge” is featured the 2012 Cooper River Ridge Run posters and t-shirts. The Southeast is a treasure trove of master glass artists and artisans. Each has a unique style, but all exhibit the highest degrees of workmanship. Whether you are an artist yourself, a collector, art historian, or just an art lover, come celebrate glass art’s remarkable evolution during the past half century. 

David Goldhagen's "Double Loop Spinnaker" at Wells Galery

Jim Victor Abstract Expressionist

Passion 52 “x 48” Acrylic on Canvas

Ellen Taylor Interiors + Design 843.564.0034 • michaelmitchellcharleston.com

803.758.1007 • EllenTaylorInteriors.com

www.JimVictorArt.com • 843.388.5158

The Carolina Art Association and the

Gibbes Museum of Art

n 1857, a group of prominent Charleston citizens organized the Carolina Art Association (CAA) to promote fine arts in South Carolina. It presented its first exhibition in April 1858, displaying 176 works borrowed from private collections throughout the city. Soon it began to invest in a permanent collection and commission its first piece. During the next two decades, a disastrous fire in 1861, the Civil War, and Reconstruction disrupted the CAA’s operations.

erings. During the 1920s in particular, the city secured a broad national reputation as a haven for artists and writers whose works fueled the “Renaissance in the South.” Visiting artists included Edward Hopper, Childe Hassam, George Bellows, William Merritt Chase, Birge Harrison and Lilla Cabot Perry. Through donations and purchases, the Carolina Art Association’s collection grew steadily between 1910 and 1932. American art with a Southern perspective became the Gibbes’ primary focus.

To foster an appreciation for the arts in the city’s younger generation, the CAA opened an art school and received an annual appropriation that enabled it to provide art instruction too Charleston County public school students.

In 1932, the Carolina Art Association hired its first professional director, Robert Whitelaw. Under Whitelaw’s leadership, the Gibbes began a period of substantial growth and national exposure and organized its first major traveling exhibition. In 1936 the Gibbes made international history when it hosted the first-ever showing of Solomon R. Guggenheim’s collection of non-objective art. The exhibition was monumental, featuring original works by Picasso, Seurat, Bauer, Kandinsky, and Chagall.

A bequest of a local art patron, James Shoolbred Gibbes, made it possible for the CAA to purchase a lot at 135 Meeting Street and retain renowned architect Frank P. Milburn to design its gallery. Fashioned in Beaux Arts style, it featured classical forms and highly decorative details, an imposing Tiffany-style dome, and classical elements such as an arcade, Doric columns, pilasters, and pediment-capped windows and doorways. The James S. Gibbes Memorial Art Gallery, now the Gibbes Museum of Art, opened to the public on April 11, 1905, with its first annual Exhibition of Paintings. Later that year the recently formed Ladies Art Club merged with the Carolina Art Association, and the women assumed many of the daily responsibilities of operating the Gallery and organizing the annual exhibitions. Over the next few decades, Charleston became a popular destination for American artists based in the Northeast, and the Gibbes became the center for artist gath50

The CAA continued to expand its collection, but after World War II, financial difficulties forced the Gibbes to relinquish some of its new endeavors. Even so, it hosted exhibitions relating to the war. These were both promotional and educational, and they revealed the extent to which the war permeated daily life. Though experiencing various challenges throughout the 1950s, the Gibbes continued to present compelling, progressive exhibitions. These included a 1955 exhibition of Georgia O’Keefe’s work. O’Keeffe had taught art at Columbia College, a women’s school at Columbia, South Carolina. In New York City she had befriended Anita Pollitzer, a Charlestonian and suffragist. Pollitzer has been

credited with introducing O’Keeffe and her work to photographer Alfred Stieglitz, whom O’Keeffe later married. A1956 Gibbes exhibition featured Ansel Adams and Bill Brandt, and by the mid-1960s, the Gibbes once again entered a period of growth. In 1965 the Gibbes purchased a house at 76 Queen Street for its School of Art, and art education for Charleston’s youth remains a vital part of the Gibbes’ mission. During the last quarter of the twentieth century, the Gibbes experienced an unprecedented period of expansion. In 1972, it was among the first museums in the Southeast to receive accreditation from the American Association of Museums. In 1977, it became the principal venue for the presentation of visual arts for the Spoleto Festival, U.S.A. In 1995, the Gibbes grounds were redesigned, and in 2003 the permanent exhibition Art in the South: A Charleston Perspective opened on the first floor, wrapping up several decades of building and gallery enhancements. The Gibbes concluded the twentieth century with exhibitions of works by emerging and well-established regional artists.

photos: Julia Lynn

Through a strong roster of exhibitions, the museum has continued to advance scholarship related to the art of Charleston and the South. The Gibbes Museum of Art is now more than a century old. Through it, the Carolina Art Association continues its mission to advance fine arts in South Carolina by collecting, exhibiting, and interpreting art of the region, and exposing Charleston’s citizens to art from around the globe. 

Top: The Gibbes’ Beaux Arts-styled building, a style popular with twentieth century public buildings; Bottom: Interior view of Gibbes' resplendent rotunda dome on the second floor which is an ideal space to hold a lecture or wedding ceremony.

Experience Charleston’s Finest

Aiken-Rhett house, c. 1820

nAthAniel Russell house, c. 1808

Charleston’s Most Intact Antebellum Mansion

Charleston’s Grandest Neoclassical House Museum

48 Elizabeth St. • 843.723.1159 • Daily: 10-5pm, Sun: 2-5pm

51 Meeting St. • 843.724.8481 • Daily: 10-5pm, Sun: 2-5pm

Historic Charleston Foundation works to preserve the historical, architectural, and cultural character of Charleston and the Lowcountry. Visit our historic house museums and experience our mission at work. Afterward stop by The Shops of Historic Charleston Foundation and peruse our jewelry, gifts, furnishings, home accessories, and the city’s largest bookstore dedicated to local culture, cuisine, gardens, and history.

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Historic Charleston Foundation Incorporated in 1947 as an educational, not-for-profit preservation organization, Historic Charleston Foundation strives to protect and maintain the rich historical, architectural, and material culture of Charleston and its Lowcountry environs. Preservation coupled with education and outreach is at the heart of the Foundation’s mission. The Foundation was the first organization in the country to establish a revolving fund to acquire and preserve important buildings, a model now replicated in historic communities across the nation. The Foundation purchases endangered properties, places protective covenants on them, resells them to conservation-minded buyers, and then uses the proceeds to purchase a neighboring property. The Foundation takes an active role in protecting buildings of national importance, as it has done with Drayton Hall, the William Gibbes House, Mulberry Plantation, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Auldbrass Plantation. Through its advocacy and participation in community planning, it helps shape public policies that pertain to historic preservation and the rehabilitation of historic neighborhoods. Moreover, it manages the protective covenants and easements on nearly 385 historically significant properties in and around Charleston. The Foundation shows that historic buildings are inherently sustainable. In addition, it educates the public through its collections and two house museums: the National Historic Landmark Nathaniel Russell House (www.HistoricCharleston.org/Russell) and the AikenRhett House (www.HistoricCharleston.org/Aiken-Rhett). The generosity of preservation-minded donors, the Festival of Houses and Gardens, the Charleston International Antiques Show, a licensed products program, and retail shops fund the Foundation. Drawing national and international visitors, the annual spring Festival of Houses and Gardens provides a rare opportunity to explore

the private interiors and gardens of Charleston’s finest residences in the Old & Historic District. The Festival also includes tours, educational luncheon lectures, musical concerts, harbor cruises, and wine and spirits tastings that inform participants about Charleston’s history, architecture and decorative arts. For more information, visit www.HistoricCharleston.org/Festival. Set amid the beauty of the historic waterfront, the Charleston International Antiques Show has established itself as a premier destination for seasoned decorative arts collectors and enthusiasts. Objects range from the 17th to early 20th century and include furniture, silver, porcelain, textiles, ceramics, vintage jewelry, and garden furniture. With objects from Continental Europe, England, the Caribbean and Asia, the antiques show is held in Memminger Auditorium (56 Beaufain St.) and is part of Antiques Week in Charleston. For more information, including details about the preview party, other exclusive events, and behind-the-scenes tours, see www.HistoricCharleston.org/AntiquesShow. Since 1972 the Foundation’s Licensed Products Program features home furnishings and accessories whose origins are found in Charleston’s history, culture, decorative arts and architectural legacy. The products–reproductions, adaptations or inspirations–represent what has become known as “Charleston style.” Merchandise in The Shops of Historic Charleston Foundation captures the essence of Charleston style, and includes furniture, china, interior lighting, mirrors, porcelain accessories, jewelry, candles, books, food items, historical publications, and other Charleston made or related items. While in Charleston, plan to tour the Foundation’s spectacular Nathaniel Russell and Aiken-Rhett mansions. And don’t leave without stopping at one of the Foundation’s shops for a special memento of your visit.  53

The Telfair Museums

Savannah’s Telfair Museums has the tagline “art + history + architecture.” That sums up the uniqueness of the Telfair Museums: it consists of a trio of architecturally significant buildings--Jepson Center, the Owens-Thomas House, and Telfair Academy—each of which is in a different location. The spectacular and modern Jepson Center, which opened in 2006, is devoted to the art of today. More than 7,500 square feet of gallery space accommodate major traveling exhibitions of contemporary art and installations of works from the permanent collection. These include works on paper by pivotal artists of the last halfcentury, such as Jasper Johns, Chuck Close, Roy Lichtenstein, Jeff Koons, Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella, and Richard Avedon. The museum’s diverse contemporary collection also holds important works by William Chris54

tenberry, Helen Levitt, Sam Gilliam, James Brooks, and many notable Georgia artists. Visitors with children will not want to miss the Jepson’s ArtZeum, a unique, familyfriendly 3,500-square-foot interactive galley. Those who are hungry can enjoy lunch in Café Zeum. Located in the atrium, this health-oriented, environmentally conscious café that serves creative, fresh fare seven days a week. In contrast to the Jepson and its sleek architecture is the neoclassical Regency style Telfair Academy. The mansion, completed in 1819, was designed by renowned English architect William Jay for Alexander Telfair, son of Revolutionary War patriot and Georgia governor Edward Telfair. In 1875 Alexander’s sister, Mary, bequeathed the house and its furnishings to the Georgia Historical Society to be opened as a public “library and academy of arts and sciences.”

Owens-Thomas House and Jepson Center, photos courtesy of The Telfair Museums

After significant renovations that included the addition of a rotunda and sculpture galleries, the building opened to the public in 1886 as the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences. Along with hundreds of Savannahians, Jefferson Davis attended the affair. Mary Telfair’s generous gift included exceptional pieces of handcrafted neoclassical furniture, such as a Thomas Cook dining table, that graced the Telfair home. There were also family portraits, books, an extensive silver tea set—in all, more than 100 decorative arts objects. Today, Telfair Academy showcases two 19th-century period rooms, as well as 19thand 20th-century American and European art from the museum’s permanent collection. Highlights include fine examples of American Impressionism and Ashcan School Realism, with major paintings by Childe Hassam, Frederick Frieseke, Geri Melchers, Robert Henri, George Bellows, and George Luks. The third jewel of the Telfair Museums is the OwensThomas House. The mansion is considered one of the country’s finest examples of English Regency architecture, a style inspired by classical antiquity. The elegant residence, which is situated on Oglethrorpe Square, was also designed by William Jay and completed in 1819. It has an English-inspired parterre garden and an original carriage house, which contains one of the earliest intact urban slave quarters in the South. Richard Richardson, the original owner of the home, suffered financial losses, and in 1830, planter, congressman, lawyer and mayor of Savannah, George Owens, purchased the residence. It remained in the family until 1951 when George Owens’ granddaughter bequeathed it to the Telfair Museum of Art. The stately structure is now a historic house museum. It boasts a decorative arts collection comprised primarily of Owens family furnishings, along with American and European objects dating from 1750-1830. Throughout the 20th century the Telfair has continued to acquire important pieces of furniture and decorative arts, building upon the early collections established by Mary Telfair. In 1976 in recognition of their historical

and architectural importance, both the Owens-Thomas House and Telfair Academy were declared National Historic Landmarks. Because it is a unique three-site institution, the Telfair Museums can proudly claim the title of the South’s oldest public art museum. In 2011, it celebrated its 125th anniversary. Yet with the opening of Jepson Center, it is also one of the newest museums. Together the museum’s sites house an exciting, diverse collection of more than 4,500 objects and works of art from the United States, Europe, and Asia that fall into three distinct categories: historic buildings, fine arts, and decorative arts. The museum also holds nearly 100 pieces of Kahlil Gibran’s visual art, the country’s largest public collection. The Lebanese-born writer, best known for authoring The Prophet, was also a highly gifted artist. Early on, the museum’s collection was shaped by three personalities: Telfair founder Mary Telfair, first director Carl Brandt, and his successor, fine arts advisor Gari Melchers. These individuals exercised a profound impact upon the collection, anchoring it within their own time— the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Since then, the museum has continued to expand and refine its collection by building on current strengths and pursuing new directions that reflect the diverse nature of contemporary art. Telfair also offers exciting, innovative educational programs for all segments of the community, and often serves as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Annually it hosts 8 to 14 temporary exhibitions, typically opening two new exhibitions every 8 to 12 weeks, and the museum generally organizes at least half of the exhibitions it presents each year. Visitors who want a memento from the museum can shop the Owens-Thomas House and Jepson Center Museum Stores. The unique merchandise and gifts range from the traditional to the contemporary. With a profusion of treasures displayed in three unique settings, it is no wonder the Telfair Museums draws approximately 180,000 visitors a year and is among the city’s most-visited attractions.  55

You are where you eat. Tonight, you should be at Charleston Grill. Where a nationally recognized culinary team has created an exciting menu that incorporates tradition without being bound by it, then added a few touches of the delightfully unexpected. And in doing so, has captured the cultural palate of Charleston. Of course, a meal isn’t perfect without the perfect music to accompany it. Which is why you’ll find world-class jazz by the Quentin Baxter Ensemble at Charleston Grill.

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The Perfect Southern Party

o one will deny that Southerners know how to entertain. Whether it’s a brunch, garden party, picnic, boating party, tea party, cocktail party, down home or formal dinner, they know how to treat their guests.

The Southern climate is temperate much of the year. It lends itself to picnics, boating parties, and other outdoor entertaining. Legendary Savannah caterer Susan Mason admonishes regardless of how casual the affair, “no paper or plastic plates, glasses, or utensils, even on a boat!” Fortunately, many delectable Southern specialties can be prepared ahead of time, packed in an ice chest, and served as finger food: cold lime-basil chicken, tomato sandwiches or slices of tomato pie, ham sweet potato biscuits, and crab cakes—made with fresh lump crabmeat, and no fillers, please! Sip sweet tea, and cap the meal with a praline pecan bar. Whether it’s a casual affair or a more formal fête, Southern parties reflect the hosts’ graciousness, warmth, and attention to detail. Menus tend to capitalize on fresh, seasonal ingredients. For a spring garden party, you might find yourself standing in a home’s charming Southern garden, enjoying a menu that features cold cucumber soup, shrimp salad, biscuits, and peach ice cream or fresh berries. As you sip fresh lemonade, iced tea, a mint julep, or a Southern punch, you may notice the fragrance of roses, magnolias, or dogwood floating in the gentle breeze, or perhaps you

catch the bracing scent of herbs. On the serving tables, you might see votive holders cradling individual blooms instead of candles, vintage china pitchers filled with a shock of cut flowers, or even an antique birdcage with tiny vases of fresh flowers tucked inside. Savor the beauty of pale, pastel camellias, peonies and hydrangeas. Ladies, wear your pearls—preferably ones handed down to you from your grandmother and mother to you. Men, don a crisp seersucker suit. Southern cocktail parties are typically elegant, stylish events, so a “little black dress” complemented with beautiful jewelry is perfect for women. For men, coatand-tie attire is appropriate. Susan Mason and Barrie Scardino, the authors of Silver Service: Elegant Savannah Cuisine, point out that “cocktail parties are a Southern tradition, and they are given more than any other type of party.” In the array of libations, bourbon is de rigueur. It is usually drunk neat rather than diluted with water or a mixer. Tables are adorned with damask or antique tablecloths and fresh flowers or Spanish moss. They are bedecked with vintage sterling and crystal serving pieces. Silver trays may hold appetizers of small Parmesan cheese rounds and tomato sandwiches, slivers of honey-bourbon glazed ham and biscuits, and shrimp or oysters in some form. Look for small bowls of boiled peanuts, a particular favorite throughout South Georgia. (If you’re not from South Georgia: boil peanuts

Individual servings of Susan Mason's delicious curried pumpkin soup

in salty water for about an hour; serve them hot or cold.) Perhaps more than in other parts of the country, Southerners view holidays as reasons for parties. You may be lucky enough to be invited to an Independence Day picnic or a party aboard a boat or yacht. There may be blue-and-white tablecloths, white daisies and red carnations, and blueberry cobbler or juicy red strawberries. At Christmastime, a formal open house or cocktail party might feature a spectacular centerpiece, such as a parsley wreath festooned with crudités, festive, colorful shapes cut out of raw vegetables. An enterprising hostess may create cranberry or asparagus “trees” by attaching the berries or asparagus to cone-shaped floral foam with U-pins or straight pins. Topped with rose cluster, they’re showstoppers. The fare at a dinner party might consist of traditional, comfort food. Pork chops, chicken fried steak, doublecrust chicken pot pie, fried catfish. Okra, black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes, squash casserole, collard greens slow-cooked with smoky pork, mac and cheese, corn

pudding, red rice, cornbread, biscuits…. It makes the mouth water just to think about it. And then there’s dessert. Red velvet cake on a vintage cake stand, meringuetopped lemon pie, pecan pie, peach pie. Mmmm. Formal dinner parties are elegant affairs with crystal, china, and sterling silver, all on fine linens. The silver on the table gleams in the candlelight. Mason and Scardino point out that silver warms a room and adds instant refinement. The first silversmith arrived in Savannah in 1733, so it’s no surprise that “silver on the Southern table has long been a source of pride, civility, and graciousness unequalled by any other component.” The main course of the dinner might be beef tenderloin with Madeira sauce, leg of lamb, or quail, served on a sliver tray, of course. The décor and presentation of the food will be as lovely as the food itself. Gracious Southern hosts often send guests home with a thoughtful memento of the party. Depending on the event, it might one of the small, floral table decorations, a packet of seeds, or a tiny flowerpot with a growing

Christine Hall Photography

Renown cater Susan Mason and Mint Julep in traditional silver cup

herb. It might be a box of Independence Day sparklers, a hand decorated Easter egg, or a special Christmas ornament with the date or event noted on it. Guests might leave with a silky mesh bag of Jordan almonds or gourmet jellybeans, or a small, but beautifully wrapped box of exquisite chocolates. Although the party ends, the memory of the event and the hospitality that infused it linger long afterwards.  Special thanks to Susan Mason and to Jeanne Brooks, owner of Brooks Associates. During the last 25 years, Susan Mason has built a legendary catering business in Savannah that reaches throughout the South and beyond. Jeanne Brooks specializes in hospitality marketing, as well as training and tourism management. She has been instrumental in helping inns and boutique hotels attain Four-Star, Four-Diamond, and Relais & Chateau status. These two women, lifelong friends, know the meaning of real Southern hospitality and elegance. Lucky are those who share "a Susan Mason or Jeanne Brooks pour” of white wine and a laugh or two with them!

"Southern Hospitality" “Southern hospitality”: two words that go together like “mint” and “julep” or “Georgia” and “peach.” Southerners deserve their longstanding reputation as warm, welcoming, and gracious hosts and hostesses. Meals, even casual ones, offer a tasty bounty that nourishes both body and soul, and delights the senses. Southerners’ creative touches can make any occasion special and memorable. Southern hospitality extends beyond social occasions, however. For example, visitors and travel writers often remark that the friendly, gracious manner of the Lowcountry is genuine and heartfelt. Visitors are made to feel welcome. They are greeted in passing on the street and receive kindly waves from gardens and verandahs. Local citizens gladly stop to answer questions and give directions, and may even lead a lost soul to an elusive destination. Locals are eager to talk about their remarkable heritage and quality of their day-to-day life. Tradition is cherished. Manners are valued, so children are taught them from an early age. Deference is given on the basis of age and gender. The curtsy may be gone with the wind, but doors are still politely held open, and gentlemen still stand when a lady enters the room. Southerners still say “Yes, ma’am” and “Yes, sir.” Southern women (who always refers to themselves and their friends as “girls,” no matter what their ages) know about proper table settings and the fine points of social correspondence. If you are “from away,” Southerners will welcome you with warm hospitality. They are pleased when visitors want to hear their stories, enjoy their cuisine, and take pleasure in their beautiful region. They are eager to share their treasured way of life.

Jeanne Brooks, Hospitality Consultant of Brooks & Associates

Gracious cafe and courtyard dining in the heart of Daniel Island featuring an innovative Lowcountry lunch menu. Serving an impressive variety of housemade soups, fresh salads, sandwiches, seafood dishes, desserts and Southern classics.

Cafe

Craft Beer Fine Wine Catering Lunch Brunch Dinner

891 Island Park Drive, Daniel Island, SC 843.881.4711 • www.LauraAlberts.com Lunch Mon–Sat 11:30am-3pm • Dinner Wed 5-9pm & Brunch Sat

photo: Jonathan Blaustein

They’re Cooking Now Four of the South’s Hottest Chefs Four iconic Southern dining establishments, four talented executive chefs, four fine-dining experiences not to be missed. The Essential Guide contacted Charleston Grill chef Michelle Weaver, Middleton Place Grill chef Micah Garrison, River House chef Brandon Carter, and the 700 Drayton Restaurant chef Darin Sehnert to find out more about them and their cuisine. Chef Michelle Weaver has been at the Charleston Grill for fourteen years. Located in the posh Charleston Place Hotel, it has long been a favorite dining destination of locals and visitors. Its Lowcountry cuisine is graced with French influences. Weaver’s dream dinner reflects her sensibilities: “perfectly soft scrambled eggs, caviar, brioche toast, bacon and peeled summer tomatoes with sea salt and cracked pepper.” Her dream dinner companions? The Dalai Lama, Maya Angelou, Gilda Radner and Elvis. Weaver has the resourcefulness and aplomb of an accomplished chef. When all the power went out one might (no lights, no ovens!), they resorted to blowtorches and butane burners to finish cooking. Extra candles enabled guests to see. The band kept playing, and Weaver concludes her tale, “Everyone had a big laugh at the end.” For the past five and half years Chef Micah Garrison 62

has presided over Middleton Place Grill. It resides on the grounds of Middleton Place, a former rice plantation that now has a lovely restored mansion museum, acres of exquisite gardens, and other worthwhile sites. Garrison, a proponent of the farm-to-table movement, says he finds being part of the Charleston culinary scene inspiring. He describes his “dream meal” as being a kid at a Thanksgiving dinner with all of the family at his grandparents’ farmhouse upstate. Like Weaver, he’s been through a power outage— a storm during a Sustainable Seafood dinner. They finessed it so masterfully that even today guests still ask when they’re “going to do another candlelit dinner.” Garrison’s Carolina Gold Rice Pudding (included with this article) pays homage to Middleton Place’s history and reflects his devotion to cuisine that capitalizes on local, sustainable ingredients. Topflight executive chef Brandon Carter oversees the cuisine at River House, in the plush Inn at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton. Given the bounty of available seafood, it is not surprising that the dish he most enjoys preparing is Sapelo Island Clam Chowder. “The complexity of flavors in this dish and the fact that it is a regional adaptation of the classic Manhattan-style chowder it makes it familiar to a lot of people, but regional at the same time,”

Michelle Weaver of Charleston Grill putting the finishing touches on her creations

Taste what the locals are talking about

12 Anson Street Charleston, SC Bar Open at 4pm Daily 843.577.0551 ansonrestaurant.com

House's private dining rooms for a dinner party or luncheon. The Olde Pink House is available for your l occasion 365 days a year. To begin our experience, a just a taste of what our Chef has created for you...

Shrimp & Grits Spoon 3.75 Savannah Shrimp Wrap 4.25 Crispy Crab Fritter 4.75 Pan Seared Crab Cake 4.75 Jumbo Lump Crab Stuffed Mushroom Cap 3.50 Blackened or Fried Oyster 2.75 Bacon Wrapped Scallop 6 Smoked Salmon Lollipop 3.50 Short Rib & Gruyere Cheese Slider 5.50 Peppered Beef & Asher Blue Cheese Slider 6.50 Beef Tenderloin Crostini, Red Pepper Tapenade 4.7 Cornflake Crusted Chicken Tender, BBQ Sauce 4.75 Chicken & Dumplings 4.00 Pulled Chicken Slider 4.50 Tuna Tartar, Fried Wonton Chip 7.00 Lobster Salad Slider & Arugula 7.50 Butter Poached Surf & Turf, Sirloin & Shrimp 10.00 Lamb Chop 6.75 Beef Tartar 4.00 Seared Pork Tenderloin, Pineapple Chutney 4.50 Mini Praline Almond Basket 5.50 Grape Sorbet 3.50

The Olde Pink House

lde Pink House specializes in a memorable dining ence for a table of two or a party of 400 guests ng the entire mansion. The Event Planner and Chef ogether to create a new and unique menu for every

Every dinner begins with a basket of cornbread buttermilk biscuits and whipped honey butter. Be bread is served, our servers will take orders for dinn will also be writing down any dietary restrictions yo Creative Dining â&#x20AC;˘ Innovative Cocktails may have. In some cases, your Chef may create a br Alfresco Seating â&#x20AC;˘ dinner Live Music to accommodate those special requests. In t you would like toinoffer a vegetarian option, our Car The only 18th Century Mansion Savannah Vidalia Onion & Sweet Potato Ravioli with a Savo Cream Sauce has become a favorite with n Hours: Sun-Mon 5:00 pm-10:30 pm vegetarians, but as well! Tues-Thurs 11:00 am-10:30 pm | Fri & Satmeat-lovers 11:00 am-11:00 pm We can add th menu without additional charges. If you prefer, we w off the personalized menu card and verbally g 23 Abercorn Street |itSavannah | (912) 232-4286 vegetarian guests this option!

75 5

he explains. Asked about his dream meal and dining companions, he says it would be “a cookout with all the many friends I’ve made throughout my career. Everyone would bring a dish, and we would enjoy great food with our families.” Although he cites extreme creativity and precision as factors that drew him to his career, he is adamant that “cooking is not about recipes; it’s about feeling. Food is about sharing an experience and connecting with others, creating something guests will enjoy. It’s not about putting food out simply to feed a chef’s own ego.” Michael Semancik (below) is executive chef at 700 Drayton in Savannah’s Mansion on Forsyth Park. His resumé encapsulates more than 20 years of culinary experience and is dense with achievements, experience, and recommendations. In the restaurant’s elegant Victorian setting, which is punctuated with the Bohemian art of today, the acclaimed chef tempts dinner guests with offerings such as lobster bisque, she crab soup with crispy oysters, fried green tomatoes, and smoked, baconwrapped jumbo shrimp. Semancik’s fresh, regionally inspired dishes have been described as being “as artful as they are delicious.” The reason? He took a year to study art and design in New York. 

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Carolina Gold Rice Pudding by Micah Garrison of Middleton Place Grill Ingredients for the rice: 3 cups Anson Mills Carolina Gold Rice 6 cups coconut milk 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon fine sea salt For the custard: 16 large egg yolks 1 cup sugar 6 cups whole milk 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt 2 vanilla beans, split in half lengthwise and pulp scraped, or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract To finish: 3 cups unsweetened heavy cream, lightly whipped For the garnish: 2 cups golden raisins 3 cups rum, Sea Island brand if possible Directions: 1. For the rice: Mix rice, coconut milk, cinnamon and salt in a heavy-bottomed pot and cook, covered, for approximately 15 minutes or until tender. Fork cooked rice onto a sheet tray and allow to cool completely. 2. For the custard: Whisk egg yolks and sugar together in a medium bowl. Bring milk, vanilla bean and salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Add a ladle of hot milk to the yolk mixture and whisk to warm the yolks (temper). Pour the yolks back into the simmering milk and stir the custard over low heat with a wooden spoon until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, strain if necessary, and allow to cool. 3. To finish: Mix the rice with the custard in a large mixing bowl. Fold in the whipped cream. Taste to adjust any seasonings. Cover and chill until ready to serve. 4. To garnish: Flambé the rum and pour over the raisins to macerate. Allow to soak and cool before serving, preferably over night. 5. To serve: Spoon into a bowl or glass and garnish with the rum macerated raisins.

Essential Dining Spotlights Each year The Essential Guide highlights certain restaurants, chefs, or other culinary luminaries. This year we are pleased to feature The Olde Pink House in Savannah, Garibaldi Cafés in Savannah and Columbia, and Anson Restaurant in Charleston. Siblings Jeff Balish, Kiara Barnett, and Donna Balish Moeckel operate these venerable, family-owned restaurants that are beloved by locals and tourists alike. The Balishes have enhanced their parents’ legacy and expanded on it: their newest venture, Cola, will open in downtown Columbia later this year, and Garibaldi’s may open in a new location in Charleston. Today they operate the restaurants under a corporate umbrella called Dining Group South. She crab soup, oysters, shrimp ’n grits, red-eye gravy, and legendary crispy flounder with apricot glaze are among the signature dishes that have diners coming back for three and a half decades. (A few years ago the Zagat Guide declared that if Savannah’s Garibaldi Chef Gerald Green’s flounder were “any better, it would be illegal.”) Dining Group South restaurants focus on quality, selecting impeccably fresh, sustainable seafood and local organic produce. Other sources include top cheese makers and heritage breeders of chickens, pigs, lamb, and beef. In the hands of their acclaimed chefs, these are transformed into creative, innovative cuisine.

signature foods and restaurants. The restaurants themselves are always evolving, which is one reason they have attracted a new generation of devoted clients. Southern specialties are always in style, but Garibaldi is famous for its classic northern Italian cuisine and seafood specials. Anson serves up Lowcountry and modern American fare. And their hand-milled Anson Mills grits, which began in their kitchen, are now served in fine restaurants across the country. Regardless of the restaurant, an architecturally distinctive and historically rich setting enhances the dining experience. The romantic, antique-filled Olde Pink House, for example, occupies a 1771 Georgian mansion, the last remaining structure of its kind in the state. Garibaldi’s in Savannah was once the Germania Fire House and later Germania House, a fine saloon. Garibaldi’s in Columbia has a spectacular Art Deco bar. Anson’s charming and stylish venue is a century-old warehouse with rococo touches. In short, each restaurant has it own unique vibe. Barnett says she and her siblings feel honored that “most people in Charleston and Savannah consider Garibaldi’s the first café in their towns.” And if you visit other restaurants in the region, you may discover that the owner or others who work there once worked in one of the Dining Group South restaurants. 

Dining Group South has brought the public both new 66

Caption about this food shot from Anson. Something about the chef?

Simple, Elegant, Romantic, Fun, Italian, Oysters, Fish, Exquisite Desserts & Creative Cocktails, Need we say more? OK, how about all this ﬂavorful cooking prepared by one of the the most popular chef’s in Savannah, Gerald Green.

Open every night at 5pm 315 West Congress Street • Savannah, GA For reservations 912-232-7118 • garibaldiscafe@gmail.com garibaldisavannah.com 67

RIDING A WILD STEED ACROSS A BRIGHT YELLOW MEADOW WITH HEAVENLY ANGELS RUBBING TIRED SHOULDERS. T H I S I S W H AT I T ’ S L I K E . The feeling of having weeks and months of tension released in a single treatment. And in the end, it’s so much more than a spa experience.

843.937.8522 | CharlestonPlaceSpa.com 4th Floor of Charleston Place Hotel | Validated Parking 68

Four Weddings & A Destination

e asked four recent brides to tell us about their destination weddings in Charleston, Savannah, and the Lowcountry. The historic Middleton Place plantation and the luxurious, downtown Charleston Place hotel were the sites of the two Charleston weddings. The Savannah wedding was held at The Mansion on Forsyth Park, a restored Victorian Romanesque mansion in the Historic District. Set in the tranquil Lowcountry, only 25 minutes from Savannah and Hilton Head, the Inn at Palmetto Bluff, an Auberge Resort, was the backdrop of the fourth wedding. Middleton Place Plantation, Charleston Married in early spring in a garden with the azaleas in full bloom, the couple, now Charleston residents, chose this 18th-century rice plantation and National Historic Landmark as their wedding site. They were drawn to it not only because the grounds are spectacular, but also because Middleton Place offers unique add-ons, such as horse-drawn carriages and a champagne toast at the house ruins. Of particular significance to them was that the entire wedding party stayed at the Inn for the weekend. The bride reports, “It helped facilitate new friendships and cement existing bonds within the group.” For those unfamiliar

with the area, they provided recommendations of things to do during the down time. To ensure every detail went smoothly, the couple used all local vendors, including Middleton Place Restaurant, Snyder Events for the décor, Cakes by Kasarda, and Tiger Lily Florist. The rehearsal dinner was held in a private room at one of the couple’s favorite downtown restaurants, and for their 200 guests, they held a farewell brunch at the award-winning Inn at Middleton Place. The bride’s advice to those contemplating a Charleston wedding? “Book your venue early. Since Charleston is one of the top destination wedding locations, sites book up more quickly than in other cities.” Speaking from experience, she adds, “Relax and enjoy the planning process. It goes by in the blink of an eye!” Charleston Place Hotel, Charleston This bride was familiar with Charleston from having spent childhood vacations in Isle of Palms, outside of the city. Although a Philadelphia area resident, she says she has always loved Charleston, an “amazing, lively yet quaint city.” Charleston was a doubly fitting choice as the site of the wedding: her husband proposed to her there.

A bride makes her entrance down the grand stairs at the Charleston Place Hotel

For the wedding, the bride wanted a Southern, romantic theme in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Charleston Place Hotel filled the bill perfectly. It is known for its gentility, old-world charm, accommodations that capture the luxurious Orient Express style, and its innovative cuisine. “From the moment we walked into the hotel we were in love with it. The people were so kind and accommodating, and the various spaces they had to offer were like nothing we had seen. The Palmetto Cafe and Pavilion were so charming and comfortable. My fiancé looked at me and said, ‘This is it.’ I canceled all other appointments [at other possible venues] and set a date that day.” In addition, Charleston Place wedding specialist Jessica Smithson was the bride’s knowledgeable, talented go-to person, her “lifeline to everything.” Working with the hotel’s onsite florist, event planning team, and fabulous catering specialist, along with other external resources that ranged from a photographer to videographer, musicians (a band, jazz trio, classical trio, and violinists during dinner) to ice sculptures, a photo booth, a hair stylist and make-up artist, to Peninsula Grill’s famous 12-layer coconut cake, Jessica seamlessly coordinated it all. Said the bride, “I had not a worry in the world.” The couple held the rehearsal dinner at High Cotton Restaurant, and invited all guests to join them afterwards for drinks at Charleston Place’s Thoroughbred Club. Although a small golf outing was arranged for men who arrived early in the week, the couple opted to let 70

their 90 guests enjoy the city and area in whichever way they wanted to experience it. The couple did not want a ballroom wedding, and the Charleston Place Pavilion offered a perfect, personal and more intimate alternative. The hotel’s Palmetto Café, with its garden-like setting, was the scene of the reception, an elegant, intimate, yet relaxing affair. Those at the wedding delighted in the waves, good wishes, and even dancing of hotel guests in the lobby enjoying the “happy energy” of the wedding reception. The wedding incorporated many special, personal touches. The bride’s aunt made every cookie, including special Italian wedding cookies that were served for dessert. Moreover, guests’ welcome bags contained a recipe book with all of the cookie recipes. (The aunt’s thoughtful wedding gift was a piece of regional art, a painting of Rainbow Row—a thoughtful reminder of the wedding weekend.) The bride’s grandmother made her famous rice pudding, and the table numbers and cake stand were handmade by the bride’s mother. The bride expressed appreciation for the hotel’s allowing these personal, distinctive touches. The bride wants upcoming brides to know that the special day “is about the time you spend, and what you spend the time and money on, and not about the amount of money you spend.” She cites staying in your comfort zone, and making the wedding unique to the couple as “the most important and fulfilling aspect of planning and

Historic ruins at Palmetto Bluff make for a beautiful setting for a wedding

enjoying the wedding day”—the reason they chose a café venue instead of a ballroom and had their groomsmen wear navy blazers and slacks instead of tuxes or suits. She aptly sums it up this way: “It is about you two and no one else, so stay true to your love and who you are as a couple.” The Mansion on Forsyth Park, Savannah A Colorado couple selected Savannah for their October destination wedding because they “love the art and history throughout the city” and because the bride’s parents live there part time. With blue skies, light breezes, mid-70s temperatures, green grass and many flowers still in bloom, it was the perfect time and place for their 120-guest wedding. The wedding, held at The Mansion, had a “vintage feel” and featured a blue, orange, and yellow color scheme. The restored Victorian Romanesque mansion in the Historic District had the indoor and outdoor areas the couple was looking for. Wanting to avoid “the large hotel/ banquet room feel” for their ceremony, they opted for the site’s gorgeous courtyard, which was open later during the reception for cocktails and lounging. They appreciated the fact that guests could move fluidly from one area to another for various phases of the wedding activities. Other draws of the hotel were its eclectic art and hat collections, vibrant colors, and the “old hallways

and small nooks” that reflect the mansion’s early history. Guests who were golfers enjoyed an outing at The Landings. Non-golfers were invited to take an Old Towne Trolley tour of downtown Savannah. The couple selected a private area of Bonna Bella Yacht Club for the rehearsal dinner, with guests “trolleyed” to the club and back. Afterwards, they joined the rest of the guests for cocktails in the hotel’s sleek Casimir’s Lounge. Members of the bridal party were treated to manicures and pedicures at The Mansion’s Poseidon Spa. Other than the band, the couple used local vendors, whom they chose based on their websites and reviews of past clients. She gave high praise to A to Zinnias Florist for the stunning flowers—with everything handled over the phone and via email. Music included vocal music, a cocktail hour pianist from New Age Ensembles, and the Savannah-based Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox, a “Rat Pack”-style big band. The couple gave high marks (“fantastic to work with”) to Bo Milbourn of 33 Park Photography in Hilton Head. Milissa Malloy of M Sweet Desserts in Beaufort created the small cutting cake, mini-cupcakes, mini-pies and cake pops that the couple wanted instead of a single large cake. Other vendors the couple used were Oh Snap! Photobooth, make-up and hair artist Samantha Baskerville, and Historic Savannah Carriage Tours, who provided the couple with a quiet respite between the ceremony and the reception.

Gospel singers at Palmetto Bluff help create a true Southern style wedding

Christine Hall Photography

sm c

Susan Mason Catering 602 Habersham St, Savannah, GA 31401 susanwmason@aol.com susanmasoncatering.com Office: 912.233.9737 Fax: 912.233.8353 Shop: 912.233.2560 73

“Most unforgettable,” says the bride, was the groom’s sister and her boyfriend, both opera singers, surprising the couple at the end of the ceremony by singing Peter Gabriel’s “The Book of Love.” The “most unexpected” occurrence was one of the groomsmen breaking into a beautiful Irish song a capella during his speech, with the other groomsmen joining in on the choruses. In response to a query as to whether the couple received any regional art as a wedding gift, the bride replied tongue-in-cheek, “We hoped to receive a painting by Jean Claude Roy, whose work is on display throughout The Mansion, but no such luck!” “Take advantage of all the natural beauty and history of the area,” the bride advises brides-to-be who are considering Savannah as the location. “There are so many options for doing things ‘outside the box’ and making your wedding different.” The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Lowcountry The last couple, born and raised in Savannah, but now living out of state, knew they wanted a Southern wedding. The found that “Palmetto Bluff was perfect for us and our guests because it was an ideal weekend getaway for everyone.” To create a “family feel” the couple opted to have all wedding events on site. It also meant that the 190 guests wouldn’t have to leave the premises the entire weekend. Since it was a June wedding, guests relished the pool and sunshine. Two years before she became engaged, the bride had seen a magazine ad for Palmetto Bluff and thought it was beautiful. When she and her fiancé began looking at venues, they agreed that the award-winning Inn at Palmetto Bluff “just felt right. It’s a naturally beautiful place that we knew our guests would love. We felt so comfortable and relaxed when we were there, which is exactly how we wanted to feel on our wedding day.” The May River Golf Club was the setting of the rehearsal dinner, complete with traditional lowcountry fare,

capped with s’mores and peach cobbler. On the wedding day, the groom lunched with his groomsmen at Buffalo’s, while the bridal lunch was held at one of the houses at Palmetto Bluff. The ceremony was held at Palmetto Bluff’s historic ruins, with the reception in the Oak Ballroom. To achieve a “Southern, summertime feel,” the bride chose a soft orange sherbet color for her attendants’ dresses and flowers in sherbet shades of orange, yellow, and green. The concluding event was a Sunday morning breakfast in the ballroom, a lovely way to thank guests for coming and bid them farewell. Palmetto Bluff catered the entire weekend, and the bride reports the cuisine was “amazing.” She was equally complimentary of florist Sue Burden, whose work she saw on Palmetto Bluff’s website. The wedding band was Bobby and the Aristocats, whom she found on an entertainment website, and who kept guests dancing all night long. Based on Roxy and Jim Stone’s website, the couple selected them as their wedding photographers, another happy choice. The Stones surprised the couple by displaying at the reception two wall portraits photographed at their engagement session. Custom Cakes’ owner Minette Rushing, the mother of a bride’s longtime friend, created their fabulous wedding cake. The bride’s parting thoughts for brides to be: “My advice is to take advantage of the natural beauty the Lowcountry has to offer. Our ceremony décor was pretty minimal because the natural surroundings like the river and the oak trees were so picturesque. And be true to the season of your wedding. We had a summer wedding, so we took advantage of all of the outdoor activities and themes as possible. I don’t think that there is any better place for a wedding!” 

the boutique

Fine Linens • Lingerie • Gifts

47 Broad Street • Charleston, SC corner of Church and Broad (843) 722-1441

Interior v. Commercial

THOUGHTS FROM A DESIGNING WOMAN

ince 1986 Joni Vanderslice’s J Banks Design has offered professional interior design services to residential and commercial clients. What is unique is that by integrating residential and commercial design into a single firm, Vanderslice has been able to bring the best of both worlds to her firm’s projects. Because of TV shows such as Million Dollar Decorators and Flipping Out, the public has an idea as to about what comprises interior design services–paint, accessories, furniture layout, space planning, art and big personalities! What the shows do not capture is the actual business of interior design. Sophisticated style and innate taste can create lovely spaces, but turning a client’s aesthetic vision into reality depends on understanding the client’s wants and needs, as well as managing myriad details. Because commercial design projects encompass corporate office buildings, healthcare facilities, governmental agencies, educational facilities, clubhouses and hospitality venues, such as restaurants, bars, hotels, resorts and casinos, they make unique demands. Incorporating practices from both commercial and residential design can be the difference between a good outcome on a project and a great one. For example, residential projects typically entail

Sebastian Vail lobby BEFORE

project and budget management, weekly project status reports, accessory and art plans, pricing, procurement, receiving and installation. If needed, however, J Banks can add commercial applications, such as 3-D renderings, electrical planning, building material specification, finish schedules, and millwork design. As with commercial projects, the designer communicates directly with contractors, architects, vendors and sub-contractors. The client escapes the middleman role of project manager, and also saves both time and money. Residential clients benefit further when the designer applies the commercial design strategies of budget and timeline management. Many residential selections happen organically–on an antique shopping trip or at a charity art auction. A designer with a commercial approach knows which pieces are yet to be selected, what is budgeted for each, and where splurges can be made or cutbacks are needed. Reversing the perspective—going from residential to commercial—can be equally valuable, especially when commercial clients want a space that exudes a particular ambiance. Residential designers can make tweaks, such as the furniture placement or paint color on an accent wall, that change a room’s entire vibe. The same attention to detail that goes into making a residence Sebastian Vail lobby AFTER

feel like a home is crucial to a commercial project’s success. Customers and consumers stay longer in spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. Editing, identifying the perfect selections for a space, and understanding focal points, are also key components in a project’s success. Likewise, proper scale and proportion are essential to making a space feel right. Furniture that is too large or small, or lighting installed at incorrect heights, detracts and distracts. Because commercial designers often design enormous spaces with soaring ceilings, they are masters at scale. A project that exemplifies the design elements mentioned earlier is The Sebastian—Vail, a boutique hotel refurbished by J Banks Design. Its interior lacked ambiance, and the client requested spaces that would appeal to chic travelers, yet be fun, hip and comfortable enough for locals to feel welcome. To achieve this, J Banks combined their commercial and residential design strategies and experience. The team used ice grey and stainless finishes to reflect the snow, ice and sky outdoors. Warm woods, rich textures, and structural additions created a welcoming coziness and intimacy. A nondescript stone fireplace was replaced with a concrete log look. For authenticity, local artisans’ work and photography were incorporated throughout. Luxurious commercial fabrics evoked a residential feel.

the John’s Island Beach Club, a J Banks’ project in Vero Beach, Florida, the client wanted a clubhouse in which families could gather and enjoy wide-open views of the Atlantic Ocean. The club needed to have multiple dining venues, as well as places for large parties and functions. At the same time, it needed to offer a separate, quiet experience for those dining in the next room or reading in the library. The design team researched materials for noise arbitration and ones impervious to sun damage. They tested the furniture and had manufacturers customize the pieces to meet their requirements. Outdoor fabric manufacturers printed custom designs on their fabrics. The team identified products that would allow for multiple use. Furniture for each of the dining rooms was designed to complement and coordinate so it could be interchanged according to event needs. Realizing the differences between both commercial and residential design and integrating their components can serve clients well. The goal is to make appropriate design decisions and create seamless and effective processes. Ultimately, an interior designer’s main goal is to produce spaces for clients that uniquely reflect them. As the photos show, J Banks Design has mastered this art. 

Another example illustrates the importance of appropriate product specification and space utilization. For Different types of dining and seating "solutions" at John's Island Beach Club

Merrill Benfield Interior Design 28 Hasell Street ~ Charleston ~ 843.723.1824 ~ MBDesign1@gmail.com 80

open by chance, and by appointment with pleasure Photo by Holger Obenaus

Charleston City Market The City Market, located in the heart of downtown Charleston, is one of the nation’s oldest public markets. Established in 1804 as the primary place for locals to buy fruits, vegetables and meat, it continues to be an epicenter of commerce with offerings ranging from authentic Gullah handicrafts to award-winning barbecue. Charleston City Market is a popular destination for all who visit the Holy City. Open 365 days per year, the Market is an exciting place for tourists and local Charleston residents alike. The Market has been a central part of life in Charleston for over 200 years. The Greek Revival-style Market Hall building facing Meeting Street was completed in 1841, and today houses the Daughters of the Confederacy Museum. Behind it, vendor's sheds stretch all the way to East Bay Street, and are populated by over 100 vendors. Comprised of four distinct sheds that stretch along Market Street between East Bay and Meeting Streets, the City Market completed an intensive three-year, $5.5 million renovation in June 2011. In addition to restoring the architectural integrity of the sprawling 38,600-square foot retail venue, which houses more than 140 permanent merchants, new construction transformed the shed closest to Meeting Street into a corridor of locallyowned micro-boutiques. Dubbed the “Great Hall,” the air-conditioned shed is home to a variety of well-known Lowcountry business names including, Historic Charleston Foundation, Wonder Works, the Charleston Angler, Charleston Shoe Company, Caviar and Bananas and Food for the Southern Soul.  Top: Traditional Gullah basket maker at entrance into an historic Charleston Market building Bottom: Refurbished portion of the market, reopened in 2011 81

SCAD presents

Savannah Founded in 1978, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) produced its first graduating class in 1982. Today, SCAD has campuses in four cities, including Hong Kong. It draws students from all 50 states and 100 countries, with international students constituting approximately 10-12 percent of the enrollment. A private, nonprofit, accredited institution, SCAD awards bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees. In addition to traditional classroom and lab courses, it offers eLearning opportunities online. Some 8,000 students take classes at the Savannah campus, its flagship location. The campus consists of more than 70 buildings throughout downtown, many of which are situated on the famous 21 squares of the old town. The grounds are punctuated with monuments and live oaks, and the buildings exude a SouthernGothic ambience. Many buildings have been restored for use by the college, and for its efforts to revitalize and preserve the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s architectural heritage, SCAD has been recognized by the National Trust for historic Preservation, the American Institute of Architects, and other similar organizations. SCAD operates four galleries in Savannah, and holds lectures, performances, and film screenings in the two historic theaters it owns. In the fall the theaters are the venue for the Savannah Film Festival. Other popular annual SCAD events are its 82

scadmoa.org

Contemporary art, featuring painting, photography, prints, sculpture, haute couture and more 601 Turner Blvd., Savannah, Georgia

Sidewalk Arts Festival and the student Fashion Show. SCAD dubs itself “the university for creative careers.” A glace at the titles of its eight schools explains why. They are: Building Arts, Communication Arts, Design, Fashion, Film/Digital Media/Performing Arts, Fine Arts, Foundation Studies, and Liberal Arts. Students must focus on three areas of study: foundation studies (art fundamentals), liberal arts (English, math, science and art history needed for accreditation), and a major area or discipline (a specific course of study, such as architecture, animation, or printmaking). Moreover, students can participate in championship intercollegiate and intramural athletics and numerous student organizations.

The Essential Guide asked six students for their perspective on their SCAD experience and Savannah. Here are their responses, in their own words. Sarah Smallwood, an MFA graduate in Design Management, describes Savannah as “a lovely city, a unique place filled with incredible artistic talent and inspiration: a great place to immerse yourself in the study of art and design.” She reports that class projects offered opportunities to get involved with the city. They enabled her to see how design can respond to various challenges associated with daily life, such as unsustainable strip malls. “It’s been interesting to learn that such a historic city in the Deep South is so open to new ideas and innovation, and that it welcomes the ways design can enhance the community.” Sarah concludes, “It’s an incredible experience to surround yourself with an academic community where everyone…values and speaks the same language of design. Furthermore, being surrounded by such a diverse and talented group of fellow designers has given me access to constructive peer reviews, enhanced my collaborative process, and provided me with a network of talented friends and mentors. Everything about SCAD is filtered through an artistic lens. This has translated into a more critical and refined eye through which I now view my own work. I’ve had the opportunity to explore new areas of design, making me a much more well-rounded designer. This will influence m work for years to come.”

Corey Green majored in Industrial Design and was graduated in fall, 2011. He reports, “My area of study made me look at the city as a system, at how each area changes another area. You have the historic district of Savannah that acts as the control station. Each area influences how the other areas work and prosper.” Describing the city as “the place I go to be influenced,” he notes that its “small town feel and big city amenities make it my vacation home.” Asked about a representative piece of his work that captures those sentiments, he cites a flower vase, “which is very traditional, like Savannah.” He tweaked it to make it clean, simple, and more functional: a balloon shrivels up when the water runs low and the flowers need more water. With regard to attending school in Savannah, Corey muses, “I think SCAD in Savannah has made me more efficient. It has taught me the importance of creating connections and producing high-quality work. In order to make the most of both worlds, I’ve learned to streamline my work while enjoying what the city has to offer. This skill will help me create those personal connections with clients while earning their trust with my quality design. Living in Savannah has made me want to step outside and enjoy life there, not behind a computer or TV. SCAD has allowed me to do that by bringing my projects to the people and the city of Savannah.” Yin-Jen Chen, involved with SCAD through postgraduate work in the School of Design, specializes in Design Management and Industrial Design. Although she says Savannah doesn’t influence her perception of her work directly, she acknowledges that it is “a beautiful city suited for students who study here,” and she often goes to parks or the beach for relaxation and inspiration. Holly Guertin, who is a graduate in Design, focuses on Fibers. “In Fibers, we have an appreciation for history and authentic vintage items. Savannah is the perfect place for Fibers students because of its rich character and the constant inspiration of its architecture and surrounding landscape.” In describing what the city represents to her personally, Holly says, “Savannah’s history is unique in that while sending students back in time, it propels them 85

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forward in their reinvention and reinterpretation of the design ideas and themes prevalent in the city.” She continues, “Savannah taught me how to embrace myself and challenge myself to be a better designer. She notes that since SCAD’s campus is throughout the city, students feel like locals and part of the city. “Through that we’re able to embrace the essence of who we are as artists and designers because we are empowered as individuals instead of as a group, as with most other colleges. Savannah was the perfect place for this sort of campus because of the quirky qualities of the local people, restaurants, and stores.” 178 words Melanie Markowitz received an M.F.A. in Historic Preservation in 2011. She writes: “Located in a National Historic Landmark District, Savannah served as an ideal living laboratory for studying Historic Preservation. My field of study opened up myriad opportunities to experience Savannah’s rich culture and history. Furthermore, my perception of the area was directly influenced by its architecture and history, as well as by the implications of heritage tourism for the resident population.” She cites the city’s world-renowned urban planning layout, plethora of parks and square, and abundance of Victorian architecture as what personally represent Savannah to her. She reflects on her SCAD experience this way: “By studying historic preservation in Savannah, I was able to observe both the negative and positive impacts of heritage tourism, and I will incorporate that insight into future place-making projects.”

Rachel Self is a senior majoring in Graphic Design, with a minor in Photography. She recalls, “I first came to SCAD as a photography major, and my eyes are forever picking up the smallest details on my expeditions in the city. Now as a graphic design major, I’m interested in local businesses, people who live here year round, and those who come to visit. My perspective is a fresh one, and to me Savannah is not simply a historic destination. As an artist, I see a unique culture formed here that is founded on a strong Southern history, but is growing and expanding. This place brims with so much life, vitality, and creativity. There are new adventures to be had in this old city every day.” Rachel says a silver gelatin print from a series of reflections on people and places in Savannah captures her sentiments and perceptions of the city. She sums up Savannah’s influence on her this way: “Attending design school in Savannah has taught me to keep my eyes open, looking, exploring, observing, and absorbing. I think that’s what makes a good designer—being able to walk away from a problem and live your life, yet find inspiration and fresh perspective there. The spirit of adventure I cultivated during my four years in Savannah is something that I will take with me when I graduate. I believe it is something that will bring me great fulfillment in my career and throughout life.” 

SCAD caption goes here. Maybe something about their presence on the streets of Savannah?

Savannah City Market Where City Activity Meets Local Creativity City Market is not a place you visit. It’s a place you discover and explore, a place that’s romantic, historic, serene and exciting. It’s a place where there’s always something new to encounter, something different to find, something hidden to uncover. You may have to look around a corner, behind a door or up a remote staircase—but that’s part of City Market’s charm. Since the early 1700's, City Market has been the commercial and social center of historic Savannah. Located in the heart of the historic corridor, it was originally a market where farmers and traders gathered to sell their goods and wares. Today, City Market offers the best of what is old and what is new in Savannah.

Hungry? You can choose from a profusion of restaurants, cafes and specialty food shops that punctuate City Market. Moreover, outdoor dining is available almost year round. If there’s not time for a meal, settle back in the courtyard and enjoy ice cream, espresso, or a cocktail as you do some people watching. When you’re refreshed, resume your exploration of City Market’s eclectic blend of galleries, boutiques and specialty shops. In addition to original works of art, you’ll discover unique gifts, freshly made candy and a host of other delights.

Adjacent to Ellis Square, this four-block, open-air marketplace features restored warehouses and shop fronts. In this charming setting there are a wealth of opportunities for browsing, shopping, entertainment, dining, and relaxing. Blessed with both fine traditional and contemporary art, Savannah boasts a vibrant art scene, and City Market is at the center of it. Explore its art galleries. Visit directly with artists in the City Market Art Center Studios. The

works of more than 50 local artists are on display, so allow plenty of time to linger.

Entertainment in Savannah abounds, and City Market is a hub for fun things to do. Many of its restaurants and bars feature entertainment along with dining. As evening nears, sip a cocktail at one of City Market’s nightspots. Whether on the rooftop or on the lower level of the courtyard, you’re sure to find a place that suits you. Take advantage of the carriage and trolley tours that leave and return to City Market each day. It’s the perfect embarkation point for exploring

"City Market at Twilight" (detail) by Stephen J. Kasun

more of our beautiful city.

Raffiné Galerie

In the pedestrian-only courtyards, almost daily throughout the year, there are street musicians, other live music, and special events. Unique annual events include the Valentine’s Day Renewal of Vows ceremony, a St. Patrick’s Day festival, and a New Year’s Eve celebration. The holiday season brings the Holiday Open House, which features extended business hours, complimentary holiday treats, carolers, Father Christmas and a display of glowing luminarias. The Christmas for Kids event is perfect for holiday family fun: decorating cookies, making ornaments, and enjoying other family-friendly activities and performances. City Market offers visitors a one-of-a-kind experience in a one-of-a-kind place. In it, past and present combine seamlessly to create a must-see Savannah attraction.  Be sure to attend on these annual events while shopping or dining in Savannah's City Market:  For The Love of Art Silent Auction and Open House - Februaryn  Annual Marriage Vow Renewal Ceremony - February  March of Dimes Shamrock Run - March  St. Baldrick's Event - March  St. Patrick's Day Celebration - March

306 W Congress St. Savannah, GA 31401 1 (912) 232 6400. www. raffinegalerie.com

 Holiday Open House- December  Christmas for Kids Celebration - December  New Year's Eve Celebration - December

Artwork by Vicci Waits 90

visit www.SavannahCityMarket.com for more info

Savannah’s Hidden Charms by Jim Reed

ention Savannah, Georgia, to folks around the globe, and it won't be long before someone nods in recognition or becomes downright effusive about the legendary charm of this relatively small, Southern coastal city. It's not uncommon to find people from diverse locales and backgrounds who've either made a trek here or have long dreamed of doing so. It's even more common to find people who've visited multiple times, for unlike the majority of picturesque tourist destinations that boast one or two impressive sights, Savannah is the geographic equivalent of a major art museum: it's virtually impossible to adequately take in all it has to offer in just one trip. photo: Sue Bush

Known internationally as exceptionally beguiling, Savannah is recognized for its famed downtown Historic District. It boasts majestic live oaks, a canopy of hanging Spanish moss and restored buildings from the 1700s. Yet, much of the area's beauty is centered in a handful of unique communities located within a 20-minute drive from downtown's main tourist area. There’s the unpretentious, free-spirited beachside town of Tybee Island (once known, and still fondly referred to by locals, as "Savannah Beach"), the quaint, quiet and

scenic waterfront neighborhood of the Isle of Hope, and the blink-and-you'll-miss-them communities of Vernonburg, Coffee Bluff and Thunderbolt. All of these are part of the "Savannah experience." In a recent interview, famed roots-rocker and frequent visitor John Mellencamp proclaimed, "There’s no question in my mind. I’ve been everywhere, and the most beautiful town in America is Savannah, Georgia.” Yet when faced with such a wealth of historic riches and sightseeing, dining, shopping, nightlife and culture options, it can be dizzying to try to suss out where to dive in and then where to head next. If you're the sort who seeks recommendations from locals about their hometown's overlooked gems, consider this article one of those friendly, street-corner tips! We asked Joseph Marinelli, President of Savannah's Convention and Visitors Bureau, to doff his work hat and speak off the record. We wanted to know which three of the city’s hidden charms he personally would recommend. "Well," he said after a pausing a moment to think, "I'm not supposed to have favorites, but quite honestly, when

Bonadventure Cemetary is a bit off the beaten path but well worth the trip for its mysterious charms and fascinating history.

friends or family come to town, there are a few places I always try to take them. The first is the Ships of the Sea Museum. It's probably a 60- to 90-minute experience, and even if you're not really into nautical stuff, this museum is extremely intriguing.

To hear Marinelli tell it, his job is made easier by the fact that Savannah sells itself through personal, one-on-one contacts between locals and those who venture here, whether for a day trip, weekend getaway or extended stay.

The next slightly off-the-radar spot Marinelli directs folks to is the SCAD Museum of Art, the Savannah College of Art and Design's dazzling, recently updated museum. He cheerfully acknowledges, "I'm hardly an expert on art, but their new building is so different from anything else in town that you feel like you're in Paris or Toronto instead of Savannah. It's really stunning."

"I'm from Ohio, and have lived a lot of places in my life," he muses. "What stands out to me about this town is that people are happy to live here, and I think it comes through in their attitude. It's very, very easy anywhere in the city to strike up a conversation and feel comfortable with whomever you're dealing with. Visitors definitely pick up on that, and it puts them at ease."

"Third, I'd take advantage of one of the many unique tours here, from haunted tours and ghost tours to movie tours that showcase locations where major films were made. For adults, there are a couple of pub crawls that let folks learn some history while strolling the streets and sampling drinks at several bars." He continues, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Among the tours that receive the most positive feedback on our website, (www.SavannahVisit.com) are the various architectural tours. It's amazing how the city developed over time and how our different styles of architecture followed that development. Similar tours in places like downtown Chicago or Manhattan will always be fascinating, but most of the features are 10, 20 or 30 stories above your head! This is much, much closer and easier to appreciate firsthand."

He notes that one of firsttime visitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; most common misconceptions about Savannah regards the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s size and scope. "Many people who've not been here before expect it to be much bigger. Those overestimations are not necessarily a negative, because visitors are pleasantly surprised to learn our tallest building is only five stories high." When queried about an ideal, memorable oneday-only schedule for a couple traveling without children, Marinelli reels off a sample itinerary that longtime residents would likely approve of. "I'd keep close to downtown and start the day with breakfast at B. Matthews on Bay Street. After that, a tour of the Historic District by rolling along on a Segway. Ask the tour company to avoid the normal route and take you instead through the lanes (alleys) behind the streets. Shortly after I came here, some friends and I spent an entire Sunday morning

Beautiful wrought iron work can be found throughout Savannah - both on the main thourough fares and back alleys

just driving in and out of the lanes viewing the unique gardens and backyards you'd never see from the middle of the squares. It's a behind-the-scenes peek at downtown Savannah."

"I'd recommend dinner at Leoci's Trattoria near Forsyth Park and experience what Chef Roberto's cooking up that night. I'm also very fond of Bistro 45, downtown at the Marshall House Hotel. Then I'd wrap things up with a ghost tour."

photo: William Torrillo

"Then, lunch at Soho South Cafe, a fun little spot that's very popular with locals. In the afternoon, a walking tour, either self-guided with a downloaded mobile app or an architectural one. For a taste of the true Savannah experience from a local expert, try cocktails at the bar in the Avia Hotel on Ellis Square. They pour the best drinks in town and instead of breadsticks, they serve candied bacon strips as bar snacks. Very Savannah."

When reminded that's three tours in one day, Marinelli chuckles, but insists, "those haunted tours are really fun." The 52-year-old admits his experience with nightlife "is not as wild or extensive as some might want," and concedes he'd prefer to wind up the evening "in the intimate cellar tavern underneath the Pink House Restaurant, listening to piano jazz."

topher's on the corner of Abercorn and Liberty. The morning tour would be the one by Savannah Dan: he has a unique way of keeping kids interested. For lunch, pizza at the local landmark Vinnie Van Go-Go's in City Market, and then I'd go to the Historic Roundhouse Railroad Museum just a few blocks away and let the kids crawl around on the vintage trains. Another option would be to head out to Fort Jackson, which is terrific for all ages. For dinner with kids, try the Pirate's House, a legendary restaurant here for decades. Then close the evening with homemade ice cream at the world famous Leopold's on Broughton Street. Does the man charged with promoting Savannah to the masses have a guilty pleasure of his own, a hidden charm near and dear to his heart? One that might surprise even those who know him well? He ponders a moment. "There's a great breakfast and lunch spot on Drayton Street called Henry's, and that's my little corner of the world. You can usually find me there at some point too many days of the week! When I need to get out of the office and don't have a client to entertain, I pick up [weekly alternative paper] Connect Savannah, find a corner booth and read their ‘News of the Weird’ column. I can relax and catch my breath." 

And what about a good day’s schedule for folks with underage kids in tow? "I'd still stay close to downtown," says Marinelli, "but I'd do breakfast at J. ChrisHouse-Made Rigatoni tossed in a Fresh Tomato Meat Sauce at Leoci's Trattoria

17 E . B r o u g h t o n S t r e e t , S a v a n n a h 9 12 . 2 3 2 . 8 16 1

550 0 Abercorn Street, Savannah 9 12 . 3 5 2 .115 8 95

HIGH STYLE LOWC O UNTRY FASH I O N & FASH I O N ISTAS Have you ever walked down King Street in March? Unlike most of the country, Charleston has already turned warm, so visitors and locals alike are out exploring the city’s historical beauty and checking out what’s happening in fashion. Big city liveliness coupled with small-town Southern charm keep people coming back and helped King Street earn the accolade of 10th best shopping street in the country. Upper King Street is the Design and Dining District, the lower section is the Antiques District, and tucked in the middle area—bulls-eye!—is the Fashion District. Fashionista Stacy Smallwood recalls walking and shopping King Street as a young girl, a weekend treat she and her family enjoyed together. Fast forward. Five years ago she opened her own chic women’s apparel store on King Street. In that short time Hampden Clothing has already been recognized by Vogue and Marie Claire magazines as one of the country’s top boutiques. The spacious store juxtaposes old-world tin ceilings and crystal chandeliers with clean lines and industrial details. The same Southern-charm-cum-trendy-edginess is reflected in their inventory. Customers looking for the newest designers, exclusive products, and a personal stylist to help them put everything together will find it all at Hampden. Says Smallwood, “Our philosophy is that fashion is your external voice, or as Muiccia Prada put it, ‘Fashion is instant language.’” With more than 40 designer collections and a range of prices, there’s something for everyone, and to make sure she stays at the fashion forefront, Stacy heads to New York every season for Fashion Week. One of the many stylish looks to be found at Finicky Filly 96

Along with Hampden, King Street boasts an array of other fashionable women’s stores. For luxurious cloth-

ing and accessories for discriminating women of any age, the Finicky Filly fills the bill. The owners, mother-anddaughter team Judy Casey and Rebecca Steinberg, take pride in helping each customer find pieces that suit her style perfectly. Travel to New York and Italy have influenced the store’s fashion aesthetic, and the owners take to heart Yves Saint-Laurent’s perceptive observations that “Fashions fade, style is eternal” and “Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.” Another store to slip into is Worthwhile, which features a bounty of extraordinary designers who work with wonderful fabrics. It challenges the typical Southern aesthetic with avant-garde designers and quirky gifts. Nor does King Street fashion overlook men’s sartorial needs. Grady Ervin and Company is locally owned men’s retailer that’s been around for nearly 20 years and prides itself on its longstanding relationships with customers. People always think of the South as bowties and seersucker, but Ervin adds a level of sophistication that keeps men looking dapper. Another locally owned King Street fixture is Croghan’s Jewel Box. Still in its original location, this family-owned jewelry store just celebrated its 100th anniversary. It is a Charleston institution and a must on any shopping itinerary. Are you a fashionista who loves couture and designer clothing, furs, shoes, handbags, and accessories, but doesn’t enjoy paying retail? One who loves estate, vintage and signed costume jewelry? One who might also shop for her man, and recognizes vintage and new items from men’s boutiques? Keeps an eye out for Versace and Hermès china? Welcome to Charleston’s The Trunk Show, a couture consignment boutique. Giorgio Armani maintained, “The difference between style and fashion is quality.” Trunk Show owner Rachel McKenna agrees wholeheartedly. “Quality,” she says, “is our main focus.” In Savannah, fashionista and designer April Johnston has made a name for herself with her appearances on two seasons of Project Runway and her own couture clothing line. After placing in the top five in her first season on

Image ?? from the brand new Tabby Boutique 97

Project Runway, she was invited back to participate in the latest season, Project Runway All Stars. Mangled Courtesan, as she has dubbed her hip and edgy clothing line, has appeared in Savannah Magazine and South Magazine, the two top local magazines that keep readers up to date on what’s hot and happening on the Savannah scene. Comments Johnston, “Most of my fashion inspiration comes from Savannah’s dark, seductive beauty.” That “dark inspiration,” the strong use of contrasts in textures and silhouettes, and the meshing of vintage and modern are reflected in her oneof-a-kind wearable works of art. A graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, the young designer is well on her way to an outstanding career. Tabby Chic Boutique owner Kevin Ambrose brings a wonderful sense of taste and style to his store. Located on Broughton Street in Savannah, Tabby features clothing and accessories foe contemporary women in their mid-30s and beyond. Customer service is Ambrose’s number one priority, which can include “opening after hours, delivery of clothes, and personal shopping.” Ambrose, who appreciates tailored clothing, says he wouldn’t be sad to see “cowboy boots [worn] with short dresses or skirts” leave the fashion scene forever. At Tabby, you’ll find quality clothing with timeless design that can be combined with their accent pieces that “hint towards a trend”—the perfect combination for enduring style.

know The Porcupine. According to owner Avis Rollison, the store opened in 1976 “as an eclectic mix of ‘hippie’ clothing,” but has evolved during the last 35 years. This is borne our in their chic and extensive lines of designer clothing, shoes, handbags, and jewelry. She describes The Porcupine’s merchandise as having a “strong mix of European designers,” along with “some of the well-known American clothiers for woman, and younger contemporary designers.” The result is “a great mix of luxury, basics, and trend.” She heads to New York City, the country’s fashion mecca, almost monthly. While there, she makes it a point to seek out small, up-and-coming designers. “It is very exciting to look back and see that we were one of Michael Kors first customers before he was ever known,” she reports. Her knowledgeable staff can advise customers and offer made-to-measure garments. Moreover, they have working relationships with many choice designers. Much of their jewelry is from Europe, but Rollison adds, “Whether you are a girly girl or have edgy street tastes, we have the gear for you to look great!” Shoes run the gamut from sleek, sexy heels to classic pumps to comfort shoes. It is a source of pride to Rollison that they have an eclectic mix of clientele from all over the world. Moreover, she says with satisfaction that they “have watched many of the families grow up, generation after generation: weddings, baptisms, confirmations, graduations, bar mitzvahs, and debutant debuts.” 

In Hilton Head, those who have a passion for fashion Fashion Forward at The Porcupine

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101

April Johnston's take on

Savannah Style

avannah is home to eclectic Southern restaurants, architecture, and fabulous fashion and style. During the five years I’ve called Savannah home, my love for it has grown because it meshes vintage and modern in all aspects. It always has something new and yet-tobe-discovered: it’s all about what you can unveil. One of my very favorite sites is the historic Bonaventure Cemetery. Another favorite is a little bar called Mata Hari. It doesn’t have a sign: you have to find out about it through word of mouth. It’s located in the alley in between River Street and Bay Street, and you must purchase a skeleton key to become a member.

Driving the historic cobblestone streets, you notice the diversity of homes. Every house is different, and the mix of districts is beautiful yet cohesive. My home’s dark, romantic vibe mirrors the dark beauty of Savannah that I love so much. Truly, Savannah’s homes and buildings all contain stories, memories, and history. Savannah makes you want to be part of what it has to offer. From the beauty of the surroundings to Savannah’s great hospitality, there is never a dull moment in this magnificent Southern city.

Being downtown at night is an experience. North of Broughton Street you can hear music, laughter, and people having fun. For dinner or a glass of some of the best wine in town, I like Circa 1875. Even better is a glass of their magnificent wine matched with one of my favorite desserts, Quatre Chocolats. For a girls’ night out, my friends and I usually gravitate to Circa. For a night out with my handsome other half, Noble Fare is our romantic go-to spot. Savannah’s sophisticated style is reflected in the myriad events here. For the younger crowd, Savannah Stopover offers talented musicians and unique bands. Jazz Fest is a perfect for a family outing. At the SCAD Scholarship Gala, Savannah’s savviest citizens turn out to bid on student artwork and sample delectable hors d’oeuvres. Events and social gatherings bring out the glamorous people in their fashionable best. Fashion shows are prevalent, in part because of the great local designers and stylists. Fashion is everywhere here, and everyone has a different style. The mix of vintage with modern really works well in a city such as Savannah. April Johnston 102

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Publish & Prosper!? Perhaps your visit to Charleston, Savannah or the Lowcountry has given you an idea for a novel. Maybe you started penning a short story or a few poems while enjoying the ocean views at Hilton Head. Or perhaps you and your family have always vacationed in this unique part of the world and you’re thinking about writing a memoir for your children and grandchildren. Once you’ve written your magnum opus, how do you proceed? Where do you go to have it published? The answer is, it depends—on several things. Lydia Inglett, a book publisher who specializes in art, photography, coffee table and cookbooks, says that today, almost anyone can make a book. Authors, artists, chefs and photographers can use a variety of online “publishing” solutions to assemble and print a book, often at costs that are not economical for resale. Others have their book commercially printed at local printers, at costs higher than professional publishing.

Which publishing method is right for your book? True, professional book publishing offers high quality at an affordable cost. Inglett, who provides free consultations, can advise aspiring writers about the publishing option that’s right for them. If you are interested in just a few copies for family and friends, she suggests using an online service. Print-on-demand offers solutions that range in price, depending on page count, from under $30 per book to hundreds of dollars per book. E-books are a low-cost solution for novels and leisure reading books. However, if you are interested in publishing a book that is marketable and sellable, then you need professional publishing. Traditional professional publishing pays a 15% royalty, some of which may be paid as an advance against future sales. The publisher assumes the investment and the work of bringing the book to market. The author is obligated to promote the book. The publisher keeps the remaining profit. Bear in mind that today, many traditional publishers are unwilling to take a risk on an unknown au-

thor. This does not mean your book is not worth publishing, however, or that it will not be profitable. In contrast, independent professional publishing allows the authors to invest in their own book. Authors keep the profit and are largely responsible for marketing and selling their books. Formerly known as self-publishing, the independent publishing business model has now overtaken traditional publishing. The key to successful independent publishing is marketing directly to consumers. Identify your “warm” market, build your own customer list, and have an easy way for people to pay you. All these strategies add up to sales. And keep in mind that independent authors can and do achieve success, often with profit margins exceeding 60% of the retail price. A beautiful book is treasure. From the front cover and dust jacket to the pacing of the content, the quality and placement of images, the design, typography and paper—all these factors combine to make a book that is a pleasure and a delight. Not only can a book be a pleasure to own, give as a gift, or publish, it can be profitable.

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People, Places, and Quilts

Wine lovers, rejoice! Accent on Wine and More in Summerville offers wine tastings throughout the year. For more than 20 years, its wine-savvy staff has taught these events. Sessions are held at the shop and typically last 1-1½ hours. For some sessions, chefs from Charleston and local restaurants are often brought in to do food and wine pairings. Whether you’re a wine aficionado or are new to wine, feel free to ask questions as you sample and learn about wine. Beer enthusiasts aren’t left out: Accent on Wine and More also holds beer tastings. www.accentwine.com

Love to sew, or just want to learn how to make clothes, purses, wall hangings, quilts, dolls, rugs, and more? The experienced, creative staff at People, Places, and Quilts has offered classes for two decades. Throughout the year a variety of classes are taught in the Summerville shop’s spacious classroom. There are even classes for beginners and children, and class length varies from an hour to multiple sessions over a longer period. Demonstrations are free; all classes are just $5 per hour (although $10 is added to the final price if the teacher must travel from further away). Both stores are located in historic downtown areas: the Summerville store was once a hardware store; the Charleston store once housed a neighborhood corner grocery. Come be inspired by the displays. There are toy tables for children, and others who are along for the ride will find cozy places to sit and read or doze. www.ppquilts.com

middleton place

700 Kitchen Cooking School From interactive, hands-on culinary classes for individuals or teams, to unique culinary programs for groups, 700 Kitchen Cooking School offers new tastes, flavors and techniques for everyone. Opened as part of the Mansion on Forsyth Park hotel in 2005, the school’s classes are held throughout the year in a state-of-the-art kitchen that features up-scale home appliances. Classes typically last three hours and cost $100 per person. They are taught by talented Chef Darin Sehnert, who has more than 15 years’ experience teaching academic and leisure culinary classes. Classes are open to the general public, and their content is designed to accommodate both novice and experienced cooks. Students from as far as Finland, Korea, and Australia have enjoyed the classes. Says a participant from North Carolina, “I took two classes with Chef Darin, “Lowcountry Cooking” and “Hors d’oeuvres,” and loved them both. Chef Darin is very knowledgeable and patient, and created the class that is interesting and fun. We learned a lot about food history, prepping techniques and varieties of the recipes. And now I can cut an onion without crying! I will definitely be back for more.” www.mansiononforsythpark.com

Educational classes at Middleton Place encompass a range topics, such as American and African-American history; rice, sugar cane and cotton farming; and wreath and holiday decoration making. In the Camellia Seminar, for example, a Middleton Place horticulture expert teaches the historic significance, cultivation and care of this beautiful winter flower. Those in the Heirloom Vegetable Gardening Seminar learn the ins and outs of growing, harvesting and preparing South Carolina’s heirloom vegetables. Classes change annually but have been offered on the plantation, a National Historic Landmark, for more than a decade. Depending on the subject matter, the hour-long classes are held in the Garden Market & Nursery or the Plantation Stableyards. Cost ranges from free to $15. Although open to all ages, classes typically attract mature adult learners. Tourists often join a class at the last minute: they learn of it upon arrival at the Visitor Center and make it part of their Middleton Place experience. www.middletonplace.org

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A Home Run in Charleston Recently, Condé Nast Traveler magazine picked Charleston as North America’s #1 travel destination. Travel + Leisure chose it as its #2 destination. These accolades, along with countless others garnered over the years, put Charleston on the map as a must-see city. Many visitors decide that they would like to find a place here to call home—whether it’s a primary residence or a second home. A desirable climate and coveted coastal location have helped Charleston’s real estate market bounce back. Companies such as Boeing are opening facilities and introducing thousands of jobs, and this economic development is also drawing new residents. The city offers prospective homebuyers a range of options. According to Bart Jackson, a buyer representative with Charleston Preferred Properties, “For those with the means to purchase a beach or ocean-oriented home, Sullivan's Island and the Isle of Palms communities offer a great small-town atmosphere and direct access to outstanding beaches. Downtown Charleston is an obvious choice for those who prefer historic homes, and Old Village in Mt. Pleasant is steeped in history and charm. Those who prefer a more rural setting gravitate to Johns and Wadmalaw Islands, which are dotted with equestrian outposts and organic farms--yet downtown Charleston is within a 30-40 minute drive. The master-planned

community of Daniel Island has it all, from private golf course homes to small-scale, family-friendly neighborhoods to more urban condominium living.” When asked what is special about working with a buyer representative, Jackson says that buyers know their interests are being represented, whereas a traditional real estate agents’ primary responsibility is to the sellers whose properties they represent. A buyer representative is particularly helpful to newcomers by orienting them to the area and helping them find what works best for them, rather than focus on showing properties they're trying to sell. “And perhaps best of all,” Jackson continues, “is that this attention and service come at no cost to the buyer. The buyer representative’s commission is part of the sale price of every property.” Charleston offers something for every prospective homebuyer, whether it is a place to raise a family, retire or live part-time. It’s small enough to be friendly and provide a sense of community. It’s large enough to offer year-round recreational opportunities, outstanding shopping, dining, cultural and higher education opportunities, and excellent medical facilities. And residential options run the gamut from cozy starter homes to luxurious, multi-million-dollar estates. 

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Take It Outside! Outdoor Adventures in South Carolina & Georgia Lowcountry by Erin Connal The Lowcountry of South Carolina and Georgia offers a climate and environment perfect for outdoor adventure. Whether you are interested in strenuous activity or a more relaxed experience, the Lowcountry offers a multitude of activities to enjoy in the area’s unique landscape. The outdoors can be enjoyed year round, but in summertime be mindful of the heat and humidity. Choose the morning for more energetic activities. Drink plenty of water, especially during warmer months. Be sure to pack insect repellent if you are venturing out into wetland areas, especially around sunset. Golf is one of the most popular pastimes in the Lowcountry: it can be played year round. There are several championship courses near Charleston and Savannah, and at nearby Hilton Head. There are courses for all levels, and many offer instruction and driving ranges. Golf enthusiasts and spectators are eagerly awaiting August 9, 2012, when the PGA Championship at the spectacular Kiawah Island Ocean Course begins. The Ocean Course will host this year’s tournament, the 94th PGA Championship. The course stretches nearly three miles along the Atlantic’s pristine dunes and offers players and spectators sweeping views. Kiawah Island Golf Resort boasts a total of five championship courses, as well as a learning center for those who are keen to hone their skills on the green. Hilton Head Island also offers an abundance of golf courses for players of all levels. The Harbour Town Golf Links course at Sea Pines Resort hosts the Heritage Golf Classic each year. This PGA tournament attracts worldclass players and is the island’s most popular event of the year: it attracts scores of spectators from all over the United States and beyond. The resort also offers an instructional program and three celebrated courses. 112

More than 50 championship courses on and around Hilton Head Island make it one of the nation’s premier golf destinations. The only trouble is deciding which courses to play. Runners can enjoy picturesque city and park trails between Savannah and Charleston. Savannah is a fantastic pedestrian city, and a morning run through its tree-lined squares is the perfect way to start the day and work up an appetite for some delicious southern fare. Further north, join the Charlestonians who run the Cooper River Bridge daily or along the Battery downtown. Both routes are runner friendly, and you will share the pavement with runners of all ages and levels. President of the Charleston Runners Club, Meredith Nelson, says “Charleston is a beautiful, easy city to run in. It's large enough to get several miles in, historic enough to keep one's interest, small enough to not get very lost on foot, and for most of the year the weather is perfect for outdoor activities.” Nelson is also manages City Running Tours in Charleston and can guide private running tours of the city. The tours can accommodate runners of all levels, and routes can be designed to include specific landmarks of interest to the guests. Every March Charleston hosts tens of thousands of visitors for the annual Cooper River Bridge Run. In 2012 more than 40,000 runners entered the 10-kilometer road race that begins in Mount Pleasant and ends in the center of Charleston. Locals and visitors alike run in this hugely popular event. There are also plenty of post-race activities in Marion Square for runners and supporters. If running the bridge sounds too civilized, then you might like the annual Francis Marion Dirt Dash. The Dirt Dash offers a half marathon, 12k (7.5 mile) run, and 5k

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walk/run, and will be held on September 8, 2012. Participants gather at the Sewee Visitors Center and enter the forest for this messy cross-country run in which entrants are encouraged to “run wild.”

photo: Jake Drake

On December 8th the annual Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon will host around 3000 runners from all over the country. The event course offers both a full and half marathon through the island’s scenic landscape. This race is sanctioned by the USATF and can be run as a qualifier for the prestigious Boston Marathon. The Lowcountry is a fantastic place for runners. The flat landscape is kind to beginner and novice runners, and it offers beautiful scenery along the way. If you are not interested in large races, there are plenty of opportunities to run at your own pace and enjoy seeing the area on foot. Whether it’s an in-town run, beach run, or a trail in the surrounding forest, you will enjoy the journey. If you prefer to experience the outdoors in a saddle, there are plenty of trail rides and lessons in equestrian facilities. Shayla Cataldo, Director of Community Lessons at CATR Farms on Johns Island, says the best seasons in the Lowcountry for equestrians are the fall and spring. “Winter can be chilly, and the summer heat is tough for horses. In the summer time, most people avoid the heat of the day by riding in the early morning, late afternoon, or early evening.” In the Charleston area you can book private and semiprivate riding lessons at the Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding Farm, or CATR Farm. CATR is an accredited therapeutic riding facility that offers assisted activities and therapies to children and adults with the goal of improving behavior, socialization, perceptual-motor, and cognitive skills. It also offers community lessons, and has three riding rings, qualified community lesson instructors, and school horses. CATR offers beginner through advanced group and individual lessons. Instructors teach hunter/jumper and classic hunt seat equitation. If a relaxed trail ride is more your style, try one of Mid114

Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston and The Family Cup Circle tennis tournament on Daniel Island

dleton Place stable’s daily, hour-long rides. As you move through the plantation’s picturesque woodlands and along riverbanks and rice fields, watch for some of area’s wildlife: water birds, eagles, deer and alligators. The Cloister, a luxurious resort in Sea Island, Georgia, offers coastal horseback riding for the more experienced rider. Rides along the beach, an exhilarating way to experience the scenery, are lead by expert guides. For novice riders who aren’t interested in galloping along the beach, there are rides along wooded trails. A great way to get outdoors and experience the marshes, rivers, and ocean is by kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle boarding in the area. Kiawah Island Surf School and Tidal Trails offer a number of onand in-water adventures. There are lessons in surfing, sea kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and kite boarding, as well as nature tours of the beautiful island. The whole family can experience the outdoors at its own pace and comfort level. Lowcountry tidal rivers and marshland provide a unique and beautiful setting that is best explored on the water. A kayak trip allows you to get close to plant and animal life, and experience the river systems so important to life in the Lowcountry. Justin Schaay, owner of Tidal Trails and the Kiawah Island Surf School, has spent years exploring the tidal creeks and rivers around the island. He says, “Kiawah offers some amazing paddling opportunities as it is very secluded and has a maze of tidal creeks that are rarely visited.” A variety of birdlife can be seen on these water excursions: great egrets, snowy egrets, great blue herons, green herons, willets, sandpipers, belted kingfishers, osprey, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, oyster catchers and brown pelicans, among others. The area is also home to bottlenose dolphins. Paddling allows visitors to witness the dolphins from close proximity. Lucky paddlers will witness dolphins strand feeding, in which 115

they drive their prey onto the muddy riverbanks to feed. Another not-to-be-missed experience is a canoe or kayak trip along the Edisto River. If you are interested in a unique, away-from-it-all experience, arrange to spend the night in one of Carolina Heritage Outfitters’ three Edisto River tree houses. They provide transportation to the launch site. The 23-mile trip is self-guided. At 13 miles in, you reach the tree houses, one of which you will be happy to call home for the night. The secluded tree houses, which overlook the river, are out of view of each other. Each has a kitchen, dining deck, and screened sleeping area, and is furnished with futons and outdoor grills. The next day, relaxed and refreshed, you paddle or kayak the 10 miles out. There are numerous opportunities to paddle in the Lowcountry. Expert guides and instructors help provide enjoyable experiences for both novice and more advanced paddlers who have an interest in the ecology and local conditions. Schaay points out that “The most dangerous things out in the marsh are ourselves. Plan your trip with the tides and weather. Paddle with a buddy; let someone know where you are going [float plan]. Know your limits and practice LNT [leave no trace]. Other things to watch out for are oyster beds. Oyster shells will slice you up, so wear a good pair of shoes to protect your feet.” In 2010 Charleston was voted the best tennis town in

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America. There are several opportunities for visitors to play, take lessons or watch world-class matches at the annual Family Circle Cup. The tournament takes place each spring and is an important event on the WTA calendar. In Daniel Island’s beautiful tennis center, spectators can watch top, international women players. The facility is open year round and welcomes players for lessons, clinics, or just to play some tennis. The Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island is another fine place to play tennis. A world-class tennis resort, it is also a family friendly option for those seeking an active Lowcountry getaway. Summer can be a quiet time on the courts: the heat/humidity index deters many players. If you stay hydrated, though, and play early, you can enjoy a much-deserved cool down by the pool afterwards. Hiking is a relaxing, peaceful way to enjoy the scenery and to experience nature. Because of the flat landscape, hiking can be leisurely, but fitness buffs can opt for a longer hike. The area’s numerous hiking trails are rich in ecology and history. The Caw Caw Interpretive Center is located south of Charleston on the Savannah Highway. The land there was part of several rice plantations that were planted in cypress swamps. There are more than six miles of trails and an elevated boardwalk with interpretive exhibits and displays along the way. The area is home to waterfowl, songbirds, otters, deer, alligators and bald eagles.

Charles Hairfield riding Thierry & Melinda VanDyck's Belgian gelding, "Private Dancer", at the Charleston Summer Classic Horse Show; Charles is a hunter/jumper trainer who operates out of Seabrook Island Equestrian Center.

Edisto State Park is a beachfront park located between Savannah and Charleston. A series of trails wind through a unique maritime forest landscape that is dotted with live oaks and palmetto trees. White-tailed deer, osprey, alligators, and bobcats inhabit the area. A hike here can be extended if you walk down to the beach and along the island in either direction. Intrepid hikers will be interested in the two sections of the Palmetto Trail that are accessible to Charleston area visitors. One, a cross-state trail, is one of only 16 in the United States. It runs from the mountains to the sea, and offers hikers, runners and cyclists a chance to explore the South Carolina wilderness. Of the 425 miles of paths, the Swamp Fox Passage is one of the closest trails for visitors to the Charleston area. This 42-mile section of the trail is considered an easy-to-moderate hike. The trail runs through the Francis Marion National Forest and offers three trailheads. Serious hikers can spend three days exploring the area and use the camping sites along the trail. Day hikers can also access parts of the trail and spend a few hours or the whole day before returning to their Charleston accommodations. The Awendaw Passage is an easy 7-mile trail that begins near Awendaw, about 30 minutes north of Charleston, and ends at the intracoastal waterway, near the fishing town of McClellanville. This trail takes hikers through a maritime forest with palmetto trees and offers views of the salt marsh along the way. The South Carolina and Georgia Lowcountry is aptly named: most of it is near or below sea level. This geographic characteristic creates a spectacular landscape and waterscape where grassy marshes abound. Rivers and waterways snake through the wetlands providing myriad tranquil places all but hidden from human visitors. On more solid ground, visitors can experience the area in a number of ways, from hiking to bike riding to a round of golf. The great outdoors offers a uniquely calming respite from the bustle of everyday life, and exploring it offers an opportunity to work up an appetite for the next delicious meal. î Ş

Spotlight on Fly-Fishing WHAT: Brigadoon Lodge is a favorite fly-fishing destination for anglers worldwide. Renowned for stream-bred, trophy-sized rainbow and brown trout, a tranquil setting, lovely accommodations, pristine waters and well-groomed trails, Brigadoon has three beautifully appointed private cabins, each overlooking the Soque River. WHERE: In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along a private stretch of the Soque River in northeast Georgia. WHO: Individuals and groups of up to 20 can enjoy a day or a longer stay. Corporate groups use Brigadoon Lodge for meetings and events; our catering staff can prepare custom meals. Although most guests are fly-fishers, others come for the spectacular scenery and privacy. Our guests have included CEOs, celebrities, heads of state, athletes, and media moguls. WHY: Brigadoon has more than a mile of private riverfront, with 1.5 miles of abutting fishable public water. The trophy sections are divided into 12 exclusive beats. Seven springs and creeks feed Brigadoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s section of the river, and there are breathtaking views in every direction. It is especially beautiful in April, May and June when the 300-year-old mountain laurels, azaleas and rhododendron are in bloom. Equally lovely is the stunning fall foliage in September, October and November. Guides are optional, but recommended. Professional guides, at $150 per day, also provide leaders, flies, and tippets. To ensure that even beginners have a wonderful experience, all of our guides are qualified instructors.

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The village kniTTery

arT cenTral gallery

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marigoldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

four green fields

sculpTure in The souTh

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Think norman rockwell wiTh a splash of mark Twain.

welcome To summerville where charm and souThern hospiTaliTy blend gracefully wiTh a modern and progressive ouTlook. www.summervilledream.org

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Summerville, SC

a D.R.E.A.M of a place! Visitors to Summerville are greeted with a lovingly preserved downtown Historic District, lush public parks, friendly town square, and historic homes and gardens. Incorporated in 1847, the town’s mild climate and beauty drew those seeking refuge from northern winters and lowcountry summer heat. Since the 1890s tourists have flocked here for floral fairs and to delight in the millions of spring blossoms.

Photo Courtesy of Summerville D.R.E.A.M.

A century later, however, found the town in decline. Forty percent of its downtown buildings were vacant. Concerned citizens dedicated themselves to learning about downtown revitalization and to making it happen. Guided by the South Carolina Downtown Development Association, Summerville D.R.E.A.M (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) received its charter in January 1993. The goal was to rebuild the city’s traditional commercial district based on its unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrianfriendly environment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community. The results have been spectacular: historic downtown Summerville is again vital and thriving! Today Summerville is a lively celebration of heritage and natural beauty. A warm and welcoming community 120

only 30 minutes from Charleston, it features unique and elegant shops of every sort, festivals and other special events, great restaurants, outdoor recreation, and historic sites. It boasts more than 700 buildings that are included in the National Register of Historic Places. On the third Thursday of every month, from 5:008:00p.m., downtown Summerville throws a party: entertainment, music, a street fair, and art walk. All are welcome! Summerville’s nationally recognized quilt shop, a wonderful “knittery,” beading and other stores are magnets for hobbyists, crafters, and artists. Artsand-crafts enthusiasts can take classes of all sorts. Boutiques offer pottery, fine art, glass art, and antiques. Annual events include the Flowertown Festival each April. Held in Azalea Park, it is South Carolina’s largest arts and crafts festival. At Sculpture in the South, held in May, nationally known artists display and sell in an outdoor sculpture gallery. In July, Town Square is the site of an Independence Day celebration, and every December the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ushers in the holiday season. Summerville is revitalized and open for business. Come explore its charms.

Sidewalk view of Summerville Shops, a great place to make many shopping dreams come true.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Coastal Essentials Within 20 minutes of leaving Charleston or Savannah, you can be a world away on a coastal island. Each island has its own charms and well-known events, enough to keep your interest for more than a day. Pack a swimsuit, sun hat, and casual clothes, and then kick back and enjoy some island time, southern style! Daniel Island Only ten minutes from the heart of Charleston, Daniel Island is a private residential community. Encompassing 4,000 acres and surrounded by rivers, creeks and Charleston Harbor, the island boasts 23 miles of shoreline. It offers residents access to boating, fishing, swimming, crabbing, and other aquatic pursuits. More than 400 acres of this sea island have been transformed into parks and open green space. More than 12 miles of leisure trails crisscross the island, winding through neighborhoods and parks, and along the marsh and through the island's downtown. Daniel Island is much more than a residential community, however. It's an island town complete with restaurants, shopping, schools, churches, a private country club and world-class recreational opportunities. If you’re hungry for true lowcountry cuisine, head to Laura Alberts. Established in 2002 by a mother/daughter team, the café is known for its crab dip, pimento cheese, and chocolate bourbon pie among treats. Along with seasonally changing fresh menu items, enjoy a fine wine or craft beer. Eat in or take out (try a boxed picnic or boating lunch). Book a private dining room, or let them provide worry-free catering. The Daniel Island Club is the island's private country club and the only club in the United States to have golf courses designed by Tom Fazio and Rees Jones. The club has been honored and praised by national publications,

including Golf Magazine, Travel + Leisure Golf, Luxury Golf & Travel. The club’s breathtaking scenery, impeccable grounds and playing conditions, and it plentiful social and recreational amenities make it easy to understand why. Every spring the island hosts America's premier women's tennis event, The Family Cup Circle. During the actionpacked nine days, you can see some of the biggest stars in women's tennis and participate in a host of activities designed for everyone from children to seniors. Sullivan’s Island Sullivan’s Island may be small, but its relaxing familyfriendly town and beaches will make you wonder why you had never included this gem on your Charleston agenda. The island’s casual, funky is echoed in its locally owned business. The island packs history, literary history (yes, literary), dining and art into its few short miles. Charleston residents first moved here in the 1790s to avoid yellow fever. At the southwestern tip of the island stands Fort Moultrie, a Revolutionary War artillery battery that is now a national park. What does it have to do with Edgar Allen Poe, the author of the popular poem "The Raven" who is credited with creating the detective and horror story genres? After a brief stint at the University of Virginia, Poe enlisted in the army under the pseudonym Edgar Allan Perry. On November 18,1827, he was stationed at Fort Moultrie, where he remained for thirteen months. Sullivan’s Island became the setting for Poe’s well-known short story, "The Gold Bug." Today, Poe’s presence on the island is also commemorated by one of the best local dining spots, Poe’s Tavern. Only two blocks from the beach, its food and cocktails will haunt you--in a good way! Enjoy your meal among the tavern’s artwork and memorabilia. 121

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Just down the road is Sandpiper Gallery, sister gallery to Edward Dare Gallery on Charleston’s historic Broad Street. Sandpiper features breathtaking paintings, sculpture, pottery, exquisite jewelry, and unique works in wood, glass and metal. Many of their artists celebrate the richness of southern coastal life in their artworks: crashing waves, oyster shells, marshes, camellias, and coastal wildlife. Many barefoot clients have left the gallery on bicycles or in golf carts, delighted with the fine pieces they found. Celebrating its 11th anniversary this year, Sandpiper Gallery has become a center of the island’s art community. It serves as the base of operations for the annual fall fundraiser for Creative Spark, the island’s nonprofit center for the arts. Its Art on the Beach and Chefs in the Kitchen events include tours of historic island homes and artists’ studios, as well as live music, chef demonstrations, tastings, and a mother lode of original works of art. Proceeds bring art performances and resident artists for Lowcountry schools.

tide is too high for beach biking, explore the nearly 31 miles of inland trails that meander through the woods and marshes. At Bohicket Marina, near the island’s entrance, you can rent a boat or join a deep-sea fishing group. But on Kiawah golf is king, the reason the PGA selected Kiawah Island Golf Resort as the setting of its final 2012 championship tournament. This August players will compete on its Ocean Course, a Pete Dye-designed oceanfront course.

Kiawah Island About 30 minutes southeast of Charleston is Kiawah Island, the site of an exclusive golf resort and home to about 1,100 year-round residents. Modern renditions of Spanish stucco and Queen Anne shingle-covered homes jut out into the marshy maze of the Kiawah River and perch on bluffs overlooking the ten miles of glorious oceanfront. At low tide, the beach is so wide and smooth that you can bike all the way to its eastern tip, where hundreds of pelicans make their home. When the

A few miles from the Sanctuary is Freshfields Village. Modeled after a 19th-century town centered around village greens, it offers a charming mix of shops, businesses, and restaurants. It’s much more than a place to shop, however. Freshfields Village’s beautifully landscaped surroundings are the site of farmer markets, art walks, concerts, performances, and festivals. In short, the Freshfields Village enclave is both a destination and an experience.

Hands down the best place to stay on Kiawah is the Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s elegant, oceanfront Sanctuary Hotel. The southern hospitality, attention to detail, decor and ambiance work their magic on all who visit. While there be sure to visit the Wells Gallery. Dedicated to showcasing distinctive contemporary art, this innovative, unique gallery features original oil paintings, watercolors, sculpture and glass by some of the nation's most sought after artists.

Brandt Snedeker "get's his plaid on" for winning the Heritage Golf Championship on Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island Award-winning Hilton Head Island has long been considered one of world’s best resorts towns and one of the most family friendly. Enjoy tennis, golf (more that 24 golf courses, some designed by golf’s renown architects), sailing, fishing, kayaking, and its 50 miles of public bike and nature trails. And if the names Arnold Palmer, Hale Irwin, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller, Davis Love III, and Jim Furyk mean anything to you—and as past winners of the 43-year-old Heritage Golf Tournament, they should— then “get your plaid on” and be in Hilton Head April 9-15!

Photo: Rob Kaufman

Hilton Head Island is only 12 x 5 miles, but you'll find everything you need on this perfect retreat. Sample the cuisine of heralded chefs such as Sean Walsh of Red Fish, or Michael Anthony of Cucina Italiana. Spend a day exploring any of the island’s more than 200 stores and galleries. Morris Whiteside Gallery could be a day’s stop by itself: its collection of world-class art rivals that found in metropolitan museums. And no stop or stay on Hilton Head would be complete without perusing the creative home and lifestyle items, as well as sublime, clean-lined furniture, at J Banks Design on Main Street. It’s almost impossible to leave this store without a gift for yourself, your home, or a friend! In addition to the captivating retail store, J Banks offers unsurpassed residential and commercial interior design services, and has clients worldwide.

Bluffton Bluffton is 12 miles west of Hilton Head Island and approximately 20 miles northeast of Savannah. While technically not an island, is perhaps the residential heart of the Lowcountry. Rooted in more than 200 years of history and culture, some describe it as “the last true coastal village of the South.” It is situated on a high bluff overlooking the May River, a pristine waterway that has added to the town's history and success. Situated in Bluffton is the The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, an exclusive Auberge Resort that embodies the essence of the Lowcountry. If you are in Bluffton in November, plan to attend the Inn’s Music to Your Mouth culinary events. Dozens of top chefs and culinary experts, vintners and brewers, and special dinners. Delicious! Bluffton’s vibrant art community is not to be missed. Tour the eclectic art galleries throughout the Bluffton area by car or stroll those in the historic district of Old Town Bluffton. Many galleries are housed in historic cottages, but the best way to see a vintage cottage is to dine at the charming Cottage Café, Bakery and Tearoom. In a vintage setting, the Cottage serves fabulous meals and scrumptious baked goods. At afternoon tea, chose from more than 50 tea varieties and nibble on scones and other goodies. Art events take place throughout the year in Old Town Bluffton, but two not-to-be-missed annual events are the Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival in late October and The Bluffton Village Festival in May. 

Cottage Café housed in one of the many historic cottages of Bluffton, SC

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Plantations by Erin Connal

o visit to the Lowcountry is complete without spending a day at one of the area’s historic plantations. The plantations here produced numerous crops and building materials and later, even mined for phosphate. In the years prior to the revolutionary war, there was large-scale production of crops along the Lowcountry rivers on various plantations owned by white families and worked by enslaved Africans. Slaves, who originated from rice-growing regions of West Africa, brought specialized knowledge that helped rice crops thrive in the area’s tidal river regions. As a result, rice became the staple of the area and a valuable commodity that made the landowners some of the wealthiest people in the country. Other important plantation crops included cotton and indigo, and these commodities were both sold nationally and shipped to Great Britain and beyond from the ports at Charleston and Savannah. While the working plantations’ main purpose was to produce a single crop, the communities of enslaved Africans also farmed livestock and grew the crops needed to feed the landowners and the working community. Workers on the plantations included skilled tradesmen, cooks, house staff, as well as the field workers. These plantations, founded in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, tell the history of the area and welcome visitors to learn about some of the most prosperous times in the area’s history, along with the darker days of enslavement, war, occupation, neglect and in most cases, ruin.

Drayton Hall, situated on the picturesque Ashley River, is the only plantation on which the original main house still stands. Knowledgeable guides who lead house tours recount the history of the property, the style of the 124

building, and the current archeological and restoration projects. The plantation’s archaeologists have determined that other dwellings adjacent to the main house once existed, and their brick outlines are visible in the ground today. Despite wars, earthquakes, hurricanes, and modern development, the grand Georgian-Palladium style home still stands proudly today. It has been owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation since 1974, and rather than being restored, Drayton Hall has been preserved. There are contradictory Federal and Georgian architectural elements that you won’t find in other homes that have been restored to a single period in time. While this house does reflect some modifications over time, the National Trust has left it largely unchanged so it reflects the stylistic choices of the Drayton family. The house is an architectural laboratory that is under constant repair and preservation. Fragile paint has been painstakingly re-attached to the wall, and rooms in the house are unadorned by artwork, fanciful decoration or furniture. The home’s exquisite architectural elements are enhanced by this bare interior, and visitors are encouraged to enjoy the details of the dwelling itself. It is rumored that the house was spared from plunder and ruin due to a claim that it was a nursing place for those struck with the virulent small pox. Whatever the reason, the survival of Drayton Hall has allowed generations to understand plantation life and experience this grand and historic residence. The residential buildings at Middleton Place did not fare as well as those at Drayton Hall, having been looted and burned by Federal Troops in 1865. What remains today is the South Flanker section, and tours are given of this house museum. It was built in 1755 as a gentleman’s quarters and complemented the north flanker that served as a

photo: Tony Sweet

Clockwise from upper left: stunning detail in the Drayton Hall Withdrawing Room; the serene grounds of Middleton Place; Azaleas in bloom at the Long White Bridge, Magnolia Plantaion; Slave cabins at Boone Hall

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library and music conservatory. The house has remained under the same family, the Middleton’s, for more than three centuries. The House Museum has a collection of Middleton family silver, porcelain, rare books, furniture and artwork on display. Perhaps the most impressive feature of Middleton Place is the landscaped gardens that have been planned and planted so that visitors can enjoy blooms all year round. The gardens, America’s oldest landscaped gardens, were started in 1741. Consequently, they reflect the classic style that was popular in Britain and Europe at that time. The garden design is based on geometry and balance, and gardens are punctuated with sculpture and other focal points. Middleton Place enjoys a position of height upon the landscape along the Ashley River. The property is situated on a bluff forty feet above the river, affording it a unique vista down to the river and across the expanse of marshland ahead. The view to the river is accentuated by the tiered landscaping and grassed terraces dug out and built by the slaves who lived and toiled here. The landscape at Middleton Place changes throughout the year, with centuries-old camellias in bloom in the winter, azaleas in the spring, and magnolia, crepe myrtle and roses in the summer time. The Middleton Place gardens have changed over time. They were restored in the 1920s after 60 years of neglect following the civil war. In 1941 the gardens of Middleton Place were named by the Garden Club of America as “America’s Oldest Landscaped Gardens” and as the “most interesting and important garden in America.” 126

Magnolia Plantation, also a Drayton family plantation, is a 70-acre property adjacent to Drayton Hall. The plantation was used for the cultivation of rice during the colonial era, and like so many other plantations in the Lowcountry, was a site of occupation by British and American troops during the American Revolution.

The current main house is open for tours, and rooms are furnished with American antique furniture, porcelain, quilts and other objects in the Drayton family collection. Given the Drayton’s enthusiasm for flora, the plantation has beautiful gardens, with some sections more than 325 years old. The gardens have evolved over the years, and today a variety of flowering plants, including camellias, daffodils and azaleas, bloom there. And while there is something in bloom all year round, the springtime sees a burst of color and life in the gardens. Magnolia Plantation has been open to visitors since the 1870s, and people from far and wide have visited the site. Notably, many artists have traveled to Magnolia to paint the gardens and the breathtaking Audubon Swamp. The swamp walk offers visitors the opportunity to see some of the wildlife and unique Lowcountry plant life. Cypress and tupelo trees are immersed in the black water of the swamp, which is home to numerous species of birds, alligators, tortoises, and flora. The swamp’s elevated boardwalk allows visitors to stroll through an otherwise inaccessible landscape—and at a safe distance from some of the swamp’s inhabitants.

Wormsloe Historic Site Entrance

Boone Hall is one of the oldest continuously producing plantations in the country, having produced crops for the last 320 years. The current house, a dramatic colonial revival plantation house, dates to 1933. Unlike some of the Ashley River plantations, Boone Hall has had a long list of owners from its founder Major John Boone to the Horlbeck family, a Canadian Ambassador, and a Prince of the Russian Empire, Dimitri Djordjadze. Since 1955 the McRae family has owned the property. The avenue of oaks at Boone Hall was started in 1743. This welcoming corridor, almost a mile in length, is flanked with live oak trees draped in Spanish moss and covered in resurrection fern. Nine of the original slave cabins that date from 1790-1810, along with some other structures used for cooking and farming, remain on the property today. Boone Hall hosts events throughout the year, many of them are culinary related. These include the Lowcountry Oyster Festival in January, the Taste of Charleston in October, and Wine Under the Oaks in December.

The Wormsloe Historic Site is a short drive from downtown Savannah. Managed by Georgia State Parks, it is home to the tabby ruins of Wormsloe, the colonial era estate of Noble Jones. Jones arrived in Georgia in 1733 with James Oglethorpe and was a most enduring and versatile member of the first group of settlers to the area. Jones, who arrived a carpenter, eventually assumed positions of great importance in the community. These included doctor, surveyor, councilman, and liaison to the Indian tribes, among others. The estate at Wormsloe was a modest dwelling built of the materials in the surrounding area. (“Tabby” refers to the mixture of oyster shells, lime, sand, and water used as a building material.) Today visitors can explore the museum and take a self-guided tour on the various trails around the ruins. The most impressive thing about Wormsloe is its mile-and-a-half long avenue of oaks that visitors can drive down to arrive at the visitor center. There are also miles of tracks to walk, and nature enthusiasts will enjoy the scenery, and the plant and bird life here. Wormsloe does not have guided tours, and the house has been left in ruins rather

than rebuilt or restored. The experience at Wormsloe is more rustic, which is true to the history of the place. The plantations of the Lowcountry are important to the heritage of the area. They were vital to the development of Savannah and Charleston as port cities. And they were places where the styles and culture of early America were on display. On them, slaves worked for the benefit of wealthy white landowners. In most cases an African perspective is given, and the experience of the slaves is presented in various programs at the plantations. There is no effort to hide or minimize the importance of the slave communities without whom the plantations would not have been built, cultivated or managed. Visitors to the Lowcountry will be enthralled by the area’s rich history, and a visit to one of the plantations provides a unique perspective on this history. The plantations are also a must-see for nature lovers and garden enthusiasts. While the blooms are most abundant in spring, the gardens can be enjoyed all year round. 

Plantations recommended for visitors with specific interests:  For families and nature lovers: Wormsloe Historic Site and Magnolia Plantation  For green thumbs: Middleton Place and Magnolia Plantation  For foodies: Boone Hall  For history buffs: Middleton Place and Drayton Hall  For architecture enthusiasts: Drayton Hall  For bird-watchers: Magnolia Plantation’s Audubon Swamp

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Beaufort: 450 years in the Making by Craig Myers It is a season of recognition and remembrance for the Beaufort area. Some big compliments have been paid to this small, history-infused town that nestles in a lacework of waterways and pristine Sea Islands.

Money Magazine awarded Beaufort one of “6 Terrific Towns on the Water.” Field & Stream said it’s among the “Top 20 Fishing Towns in America.” TripAdvisor deemed Hunting Island a “Top 10 Beach”, and Garden & Gun Magazine named Beaufort a “Southern Dream Town.” All of this is the result of a fascinating history, diverse culinary traditions, vibrant arts and breathtaking nature simmering together for more than 300 years in Beaufort—and 450 years in Port Royal. There’s no better time than now to let the Lowcountry lift your spirits with its blend of Gullah creativity, Southern charm, French and Spanish colonial flair, and Marine Corps pride. Fascinating History In 2011, the city celebrated its chartered tricentennial. It also celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Port Royal, a key Civil War naval clash that laid the groundwork for two notable local institutions.

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Union occupation in 1862 led to founding of the Penn School, now known as Penn Center. It was one of the first schools for freed slaves, and is an enduring AfricanAmerican resource center and cultural landmark. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. began drafting his “I Have A Dream” speech there. The scenic campus on St. Helena Island also serves as the unofficial capital of Gullah culture on the Southeastern Atlantic Coast. It boasts its own cuisine, colorful stories and unique dialect. (The “De Nyew Testament” translation was recently completed.) On St. Helena, you’ll find Gullah arts such as hand-woven sweetgrass baskets, bold paintings and exotic sculptures. Check out the roadside stands, shops and galleries, such as Red Piano Too and What’s in Store. Also after the battle of Port Royal, Union troops came ashore and established a presence that ultimately became Parris Island Marine Barracks during World War I. Now it’s the legendary crucible for nearly 15,000 Marines each year. Time your visit to witness a Friday morning graduation ceremony for the newest Leathernecks. Play the base’s

Susan Graber's "Palmetto Frond", oil painting, 12 x 12 inches at Bay St. Gallery, Beaufort

1009 CRAVEN STREET BEAUFORT SOUTH CAROLINA 29902 888.480.9530 I 843.524.9030 info@rhetthouseinn.com 129

Legends Golf Course or visit the Parris Island Museum that depicts the story of the world’s fiercest fighting force. A room in the museum is devoted to the Charlesfort-Santa Elena National Historic Landmark, site of French and Spanish colonies on Parris Island from 1562 to 1587. Culinary Traditions To understand what awaits you, imagine sitting down to a signature local dish called a “Lowcountry Boil” or “Frogmore Stew.” This delight consists of shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn and spices steamed into a savory, colorful sum that is greater than its parts. A bounty of local restaurants specializes in soil- and sea-to-table specialties, such as Shrimp’N’Grits, crabcakes, and She-Crab Soup. The Taste of Beaufort Festival in May and Beaufort Shrimp Festival in October showcase that tradition. The flavor of the South also lives in the charm felt at places like Pick Pocket Plantation, along tree-shaded side streets, in B&Bs such as the Beaufort Inn or Rhett House Inn, and at picturesque settings such as the Baptist Church of Beaufort or Old Sheldon Church ruins— some of the area’s in-demand wedding sites. As with eating a Lowcountry Boil, a typical day in the Beaufort area creates a pleasant problem: what to enjoy next? Morning on the water, afternoon at art galleries and film settings, an evening enjoying local cuisine? Or vice versa? Vibrant Arts Just start in the historic downtown and it will work itself out. Stroll along Waterfront Park or browse the quaint shops, eclectic boutiques and authentic eateries of Bay Street. Take a carriage ride through The Point and marvel at lovingly preserved antebellum architecture. Along sidewalks and in galleries such as Indigo Gallery, Rhett Gallery, The Gallery and The Craftseller, creations of the local art community will catch your eye and stir 130

your soul. LyBensons Gallery and Studio specializes in African-style art and green verdite stone sculptures. You’ll soon agree with literary favorite son Pat Conroy, whose first words upon seeing his hometown as a child were, “My God, it’s pretty.” His books The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini are among nearly 20 major motion pictures that have been filmed locally. Take a tour of these and other film locations including The Big Chill and Forrest Gump. The Beaufort International Film Festival is held in February, featuring movie submissions from around the world. Breathtaking Nature Gear up for boating, fishing or birding at Bay Street Outfitters or the Downtown Marina of Beaufort. A thriving local charter fishing fleet will help you land some big ones. Enjoy a dolphin-watching tour or paddle the waterways in a kayak. ACE Basin has 350,000 acres of tidal creeks and Hunting Island State Park beach offers a venue for watching wildlife or just relaxing, with the backdrop of a picturesque lighthouse. In July the Water Festival offers contests and activities, along with food and nightly entertainment. Visit Beaufort, Port Royal & the Sea Islands The unique Beaufort, Port Royal and Sea Islands personality has been 450 years in the making. Plan your own discovery at BeaufortSC.org where you can view a digital visitors guide, book your stay, and watch a video of all that represents this incredible destination. Enjoy! 

The Golden Isles A TREASURE ON GEORGIA’S COAST Nestled on the Georgia coast, midway between Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida, lies the mainland city of Brunswick and its four beautiful barrier islands: St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. When Spanish explorers seeking gold descended upon the territory more than 400 years ago, they found astonishing beauty, mild weather and a natural radiance that inspired the area’s name, the Golden Isles. Pristine stretches of marshland, punctuated by small islands known as hammocks, define the breathtaking landscape and create the appearance of a continuous stretch of land reaching out to the barrier islands. Sparkling rivers teeming with birds, fish and other marine life flow calmly around the islands on their way to the Atlantic Ocean. The Golden Isles are also heralded as a destination where the gentleman’s game of golf meets genuine Southern hospitality in a seaside setting with a rich and storied history. The area’s beauty and world-class golf courses, facilities and instructors have earned the Golden Isles its reputation as a golfer’s paradise. Not only do the Golden Isles provide a rich golf experience, but they also come alive as nature’s playground, with acres of undeveloped

land, marshes and rivers–along with the vast expanse of ocean–begging to be explored and enjoyed. Brunswick, on the mainland, is named after the town of Braunschweig, Germany, the ancestral home of Great Britain’s King George II, who granted Georgia’s original land charter. Brunswick’s city streets and squares, still bearing their colonial names, are laid out in a formal grid, similar to Savannah’s. The streets of downtown Brunswick are lined with treasure-filled antique shops, specialty boutiques and art galleries. Docked at the wharf, the array of shrimp boats ready to trawl the local waters stands as evidence of the area’s thriving seafood industry.

Across the Marshes of Glynn, made famous by Georgia poet Sidney Lanier, lies St. Simons Island, the largest barrier island in the Golden Isles. Moss-draped oaks line the winding island streets, creating a picture-perfect image worthy of a Faulkner tale. The island’s village offers a charming and unique selection of shops, as well as a variety of restaurants whose cuisine ranges from fine dining to casual outdoor fare. Visitors and residents alike enjoy cooling down and engaging in a little outdoor recreation at Neptune Park, which includes a public pool, miniature 131

golf course and a fishing pier. St. Simons Island is dotted with exceptional historic sites and attractions. The St. Simons Lighthouse is a working lighthouse built in 1872. In Bloody Marsh in July 1742, British and Scottish soldiers protecting colonial Georgia defeated a larger Spanish force in a battle that helped end Spanish incursions outside Florida. Fort Frederica National Monument preserves archaeological remnants of the local British colony and its defense against Spain is located on the island’s north end. Also there is the historic Christ Church, Frederica, one of Georgia’s oldest churches, with worship held continuously since 1736. Toward the island’s southern tip, the Maritime Center, in the restored U.S. Coast Guard Station, provides fascinating glimpses of the area’s natural evolution, and highlights some of its maritime and military history. Little St. Simons Island is a privately owned, 10,000acre barrier island, accessible only by boat from Hampton Point on St. Simons Island’s north end. Known for its privacy, the island features six charming cottages that can host a total of 32 guests at one time. Several cottages date back to the early 1900s. An

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ideal destination for family reunions and small gatherings, Little St. Simons Island offers activities as diverse as guided nature walks (led by a staff naturalist) through the ancient maritime forest, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, shell collecting, bicycling and birding. Guests may also choose to pass the day relaxing on the porch or enjoying the tranquility of the island’s seven-mile, undeveloped beach. Sea Island features two of the world’s most exceptional destinations: the Forbes Five-Star Cloister at Sea Island and The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond property. Sea Island also includes the Golf Learning Center, three championship golf courses, the Forbes Five-Star Georgian Room restaurant, Sea Island Beach Club, the Tennis Center, Yacht Club, Shooting School and Forbes Five-Star Cloister Spa.

The rich history and quiet, laid-back atmosphere of Jekyll Island have attracted vacationers for well more than a century. The southernmost part of the Golden Isles, Jekyll Island was once an exclusive retreat for some of America’s wealthiest families. The famed Jekyll Island Club, which operated from 1887 to 1942, counted among

its members such luminaries as J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, Joseph Pulitzer and other industry leaders of their day. The resort complex they created included a grand clubhouse (now the Jekyll Island Club Hotel), a collection of “cottages” and a variety of support structures. Recognized today as a National Historic Landmark, the Jekyll Island Historic Landmark District is open to the public. Jekyll Island offers a variety of family-friendly amenities, such as 10 miles of beach, the 250-acre Historic Landmark District, four golf courses, a large water park, 20 miles of bike paths, and a tennis center. There is an array of lodging options: hotels, cottages and campgrounds. The island boasts three new hotels, an all-new beachfront convention center (with more than 78,000 square feet of function space), a beautifully redesigned gateway corridor to the island, a beach village shopping and dining district, and many more enhancements. The island is owned by the State of Georgia and managed by the Jekyll Island Authority. The island’s development is limited to just 35 percent of the available land area, to preserve the critical barrier island ecosystem. Great lengths have been taken to honor this ratio while the highly anticipated revitalization of Jekyll Island moves forward. The Golden Isles are easily accessible by car or plane. The area is just minutes from Interstate 95 (the main East Coast artery running from Maine to Florida) at exits 42, 38, 36 and 29. Daily flights between Brunswick and Atlanta are operated by Delta Connection’s Atlantic Southeast Airlines. 

Golden Isles Highlights ST. SIMON ISLAND St. Simons Island Lighthouse and A.W. Jones History Center Trolley Tours Fort Frederica National Monument Christ Church, Frederica Neptune Park SEA ISLAND The Cloister Sea Island Spa 3 GOLF courses 5 star resort LITTLE ST. SIMONS ISLAND The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island JEKYLL ISLAND National Historic Landmark District Georgia Sea Turtle Center Driftwood beach BRUNSWICK Old Town Historic District Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation Lady Jane shrimp boat excursions Emerald Princess II Casino Cruise Ship OVERALL Miles of sandy beaches 180 holes of golf Level, paved bicycle paths Nature programs and tours Charter fishing: inshore and offshore

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Essential Nonprofits There are countless nonprofits in the region The Essential Guide serves. With the ever-growing needs of so many deserving organizations, it is hard to single out only a few for recognition. For this reason, we acknowledge both past and current honorees on our website. The Essential Guide supports these deserving organizations with a financial contribution and by bringing them to our readers’ attention. We encourage our readers, if so moved, to make a donation as well. We hope that with our help and that of our readers, these organizations will survive and even thrive in these challenging economic times. This year we have chosen as our nonprofit honorees the Valentine Project, sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Hilton Head, and the Two Hundred Club of the Coastal Empire, headquartered in Savannah. The Valentine Project According to founding board member Joni Vanderslice, the Valentine Project’s overall mission is to support the ministry of Archbishop Valentine Mokiwa by collaborating with Tanzanians and the Anglican Church. The diocese there owns 225 acres on which a secondary school

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is located; a girl’s dormitory will soon be under construction. Although it currently helps the Diocese in a variety of ways, the Valentine Project has as its primary goal the construction of an orphanage in Busa, in Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam region. To minimize the facility’s environmental impact, it will be solar powered, and will compost and recycle. It will house and educate 300-350 neglected and endangered children, and strive to strengthen their self-esteem, social skills, and practical domestic skills. It will provide children from infancy to six years of age with love, encouragement, and a safe environment. School is free for no one in Tanzania, so day care, primary and secondary school, as well as after-school and weekend activities will be provided. Moreover, it will deliver regular healthcare that includes medication and treatment, and have a counselor who can help traumatized children heal and move forward. As children reach college age, the Valentine Project will assist those who want to attend local community colleges or technical schools. The Valentine Project operated for three years as a charitable group, and a year ago became a nonprofit charitable organization. The seven board members and 25

The Valentine Project president, Joni Vanderslice, participating in a program in Tanzania

volunteers rely on ongoing individual donations to fund the mission. All funds raised go directly to paying for services; at present the Valentine Project pays for lunch for all students at St. Augustine’s Primary School.. For additional information about the Valentine Project, or to donate or volunteer, please visit: www.valentineproject.net. 200 Club In 1950 a Detroit businessman asked 100 of his friends and associates to help the family of a slain police officer. Since then 120 such clubs have developed in many cities, and they all use the word "hundred" in their name. Drawing on these organizations for inspiration, Savannahians Brooks Stillwell, Harry Haslam and Tak Argentinis made the Two Hundred Club of the Coastal Empire a reality. (The “Coastal Empire” is comprised of 20 counties.) The club provides immediate financial assistance to the surviving spouse and children of local law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics who lose their lives in the line of duty protecting the communities in and around Savannah. Incorporated as a nonprofit charitable organization in October 2000, it makes tangible its mot-

to, “We care for those who care for us.” To date, it has given more than $650,000 to its beneficiaries, the families of 40 heroic men and women who died, were severely injured, or left disabled while at their public safety jobs. The 200 Club is funded through individual and corporate memberships and unsolicited private donations. Annual dues are $250, and membership is open to everyone. Managed by a volunteer Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, the club does not pay any salaries, operating expenses, or overhead from members’ dues, nor does it use telemarketing. The 200 Club realizes money can never compensate for the loss or disability of a loved one, but knows how profoundly helpful it can be to ease the financial burdens that accompany these tragic events. The club also manifests its kindness and commitment in thoughtful ways: it sends children U.S. Treasury bonds on their birthdays and at Christmas, provides money for Thanksgiving and Christmas, family dinners and red roses on Mother's Day. For additional information about the Two Hundred Club, or to join, donate, or volunteer, please call 912-238-1200 or visit http://twohundredclub.org.

National Monument to Firemen

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Coco Vivo

Mary Phelps, owner of Coco Vivo Fine Art and Interior Design, has been making dreams come true for clients since 1985. Her goal is for you “to feel like your home is your sanctuary, designed with your passion and your contradictions, anchored to your past” and distinctly original and you. She cites two events that have been key in her career. The first was in 2005 when her stepdaughter, Kate Brophy, became her business partner. It enabled her to expand the business from New England to the Southeast, and also to focus on fine art as an important part of the business. The second event was the opening their studio and gallery on Broad St. in Charleston.

“Right in front of me,” she says, “was this opportunity to collaborate with other like-minded business owners to work together to form Charleston’s Gallery Row.” Mary is excited about the future. Kate, who now has a baby boy, will work mostly from home and help expand the business with a retail website focused on their signature “relaxed living” style. They also plan to offer some classes in design. On the art side of the business, they continue to promote plein air artists whom they believe are some of the best in the country. Because fine crafts are becoming an integral element of interior design, they are adding a fine craft dimension to the gallery.

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25 the essential guide silver anniversary 1988 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2013 In 2013 The Essential Guide: Santa Fe & Taos will turn 25 years old! To celebrate our upcoming 25th anniversary, we are doing two things: expanding our award-winning EG brand and publications into new markets, such as Charleston, Savannah and the Lowcountry, and recognizing and honoring clients who, like us, have been in business for a quarter century or more. In this edition and the next, we take pleasure in shining the spotlight on others who over the decades have persevered, prospered and contributed to their communities. Here's to their next 25 years and ours! 137

Globe Shoe Company

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Since 1892 Savannah’s Globe Shoe Company has carried on the tradition of expertly fitting patrons with quality shoes. In the late 1940’s Sol Lesser bought the store. Today, the business continues to be run by his grandchildren, Amy and John Sussman. The sisterand-brother team learned the fundamentals of the shoe business from their father, Seymour Sussman. According to John Sussman, what is special about their more-than-a-century-old business is not what has changed, but the values that have remained the same. “Exceptional customer service, a broad range of sizes, and on-trend merchandise are the secrets to Globe Shoe Company’s success,” he says. In order to offer their cus-

tomers the best value, Globe purchases carefully edited footwear and accessories from vendors around the world. Renowned shoe designer Stuart Weitzman commented, “Throughout the three generations of our relationship, the Globe has maintained strict attention to detail, fit, and quality, which are specialties of mine. Although our time working together spans 40 years, it is not surprising they have remained our exclusive distributor in Savannah, season after season.” Globe Shoe Company continues to maintain a family-like relationship with customers through their regularly updated Facebook page, and ships merchandise to clients throughout the country.

Globe Shoe Company, brother and sister owners, Amy and John Sussman 138

Bob Ellis Shoes

More than six decades ago, in February 1950 to be exact, Barry Kalinsky’s father opened Bob Ellis Shoes. After a fire in 1973, the store relocated to its present site from its original location across the street. Barry himself has been in business for 22 years and has run the iconic store for five years. From the beginning, the goal has been to offer quality fashion shoes and accessories, and even today, Bob Ellis Shoes prides itself on its selection, service, and quality. The store features styles from more than two-dozen top designers of men and women’s shoes. Their user-friendly website gives an idea of their extensive selection of women’s shoes: it ranges from boots, casual and comfort shoes, sandals, and espadrilles to flats, platforms, pumps, and evening shoes. Men can choose from many top brands

of casual, dress, oxford, and sport shoes. Barry takes particular pride in their selection of women’s handbags, and a glance at their expansive, but selective inventory of everyday bags, totes, clutches, and gorgeous exotic bags explains why. Over the years, numerous celebrities have shopped at Bob Ellis Shoes. Five years ago, a producer who enjoyed shopping at the store did a segment on it on the Today show. With regard to the key to their success, Barry concludes, “Business constantly changes, and it’s important to adjust and adapt to new challenges. However, it’s just as important not to forget the fundamentals of service and selection.” For Bob Ellis Shoes, that’s clearly been a winning formula.

Bianca from Christian Louboutin. The must have platform pump for the season! 139

Middleton Place

320+

For more than 320 years, Middleton Place has remained under the same family ownership or patronage. This magnificent property has passed down through the Middleton family since the 1690s. The Plantation Stableyards opened in 1970, Middleton Place House Museum in 1975, and the Inn at Middleton Place in 1986. In 1983, the property was donated to the nonprofit Middleton Place Foundation. The principal family residence, built in 1705, was torched by Union troops in 1865. Twenty-one years later Charleston’s Great Earthquake of 1886 toppled its burned out walls. It was rebuilt, but in 1989 Hurricane Hugo destroyed it. Today, the House Museum draws on the extensive collection of Middleton-family objects and documents to provide visitors with insight into the lives of the family’s previous generations. This is particularly significant since

several family members are associated with key events in American history. A National Historic Landmark that is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Middleton Place boasts the nation’s oldest landscaped garden—approximately 270 years old. The 65 spectacular acres always have something in bloom. The Stableyards show 18th- and 19thcentury life on a working planation and features craft artisans and heritage breeds of animals. Today, Middleton Place Foundation remains dedicated to the ongoing preservation and interpretation of American history as seen through the lens of the Middleton family. It strives, through research, to interpret and accurately present all aspects of authentic antebellum life on a South Carolina plantation.

Azalea Wood Nymph, scultpture? date?? 140

The Rhett House Inn

When the current Rhett House Inn owners, Steve and Marianne Harrison, first came to Beaufort they saw the Inn that had closed in May of 1986. They made an offer to buy it in June, closed on it in July, and started drawing up plans and working with an architect in September. Construction started immediately thereafter. Amazingly, the Inn opened for guests in January 1987. Serendipity led to their buying Rhett House Inn. While visiting a friend in Beaufort, they stayed at the Bay Street Inn, which he owned. He said he’d considered buying a second inn, but wasn’t sure he could run two…so he asked them if they were interested in buying it. In the Harrisons’ words, “After enjoying a wonderful weekend in Beaufort and staying at his property, we made the decision that we would buy the Rhett

House Inn. We had always loved entertaining guests in our home and felt that we could very easily host guests and offer hospitality.” A memorable moment occurred when Barbara Streisand stayed with them incognito. At the time, she was looking for a place to film The Prince of Tides. When she came down to breakfast, another guest, not recognizing her, asked if she was in Beaufort to play golf. Streisand was gracious, and she and the guest had a wonderful conversation. The Harrisons are thinking of adding more rooms to the Inn. Their “business is growing nicely, and Beaufort is becoming more and more popular as a hidden gem that is just being discovered.”

Carriages pass by The Rhett House Inn's elegant porch a great spot for guests' breakfast 141

J Banks

“We are thrilled to be celebrating our 25th anniversary this year!” says J Banks Design Group owner, president and director Joni Vanderslice. In 1986 she saw a niche on Hilton Head Island for timeless interior design, hospitality interior design and a team of professionally degreed designers. The intervening years have proved her assessment correct, and addressing those needs is the basis of her company’s success. She purchased a firm that same year, changed its name to J Banks Design Group, and has been continually expanding it ever since. Operations include a showroom and stateof-the-art retail store, a studio of vast furniture and fabric libraries, and a ware-

house stocked with lamps, accessories, artwork and gifts. In 2008, they completed construction of a LEED certified building that serves as their headquarters. J Banks’ residential and commercial projects are now in 20 states, as well as Mexico, Ireland, Italy and the Caribbean. Their residential design work has been featured in international shelter magazines. Interior Design magazine consistently ranks J Banks among the top 200 interior design firms and top 75 hospitality design firms. Moreover, it has been named one of South Carolina’s Top 25 Fastest Growing Companies and has twice received the Southeast Designer of the Year Award from the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center.

The J. Banks team 142

Levy Jewelers

112

Levy Jewelers has been doing business in Savannah since 1900, and always with family members at the helm. In 2004 fourth-generation family member Lowell Kronowitz, company president, joined third-generation family members in running the firm. Levy Jewelers began as a watchmaker’s shop, but is now the region’s exclusive distributer of the finest jewelry designers in the business. Its knowledgeable staff and breadth of services have earned it Savannah Magazine’s “Best Jeweler” accolade for seven consecutive years. Along with a dedicated staff, Levy has a devoted clientele. It’s not unusual for a young man to buy an engagement ring there because his grandfather and father bought engagement rings from Levy Jewelers. To Kronowitz, business is about two things: trust and confidence. Customers know they can trust that items they

purchase are exactly as they are represented. He adds, “People want to know you will be there after the sale to stand behind what it is they are purchasing.” After that, he says it comes down to service, and they’re ready to listen and help. After 75 years on the corner of Broughton and Drayton Streets, the company’s flagship store will soon move a block west to Broughton and Bull. This allows them to double their space and have their master jewelers, Rolex certified watchmakers, and corporate offices under one roof. Levy’s also has stores in Savannah’s Oglethorpe Mall and in Jacksonville’s St. Johns Town Center. Well into its second century, Levy Jewelers is proud to be a premier source of quality jewelry, including estate jewelry, and gifts for every occasion.

Two generations of Levys 143

Telfair Museums

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Telfair Museums has just celebrated its 125th anniversary, a remarkable achievement by any standard! Its founding preceded that of such august American institutions as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. Throughout the decades, it has inspired visitors with its art and stimulated them with its history. They are eager not only to come back, but also to share their experiences with family and friends.

photo: Sue Bush

Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences officially opened to the public in 1886. Plans for it began in 1875 with a bequest from Mary Telfair donating her elegant mansion and its contents for this purpose. It was to be operated under the auspices of the Georgia Historical Society. Today Telfair Academy itself is the nexus of the institution’s holdings of fine arts, dec-

orative arts, and architecture. By far the finest works in Telfair’s generous bequest were the exceptional pieces of handcrafted neoclassical furniture that graced the Telfair family home. Many of these remain on view today in the period rooms at the Academy and throughout Telfair Museums’ Owens Thomas House. More than one hundred decorative arts objects, including an extensive tea service, reflect Mary Telfair’s considerable legacy to the collection. Telair Museums’ vision is to continue to expand and refine the collection by building on current strengths and to pursue new directions reflecting the diverse nature of contemporary art. As ever, Telfair seeks to develop awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the arts and to serve as a dynamic cultural center that connects people of all ages and backgrounds.

Azaleas blooming in front of The Telfair Academy built in 1818 144