February 17-20, 2022 | Various locations throughout downtown Charleston, SC

Art in the Lowcountry

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition returns with its 40th annual celebration of wildlife and nature highlighted through fine art, conservation and more.

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition has prided itself on being an event dedicated to the natural world. Now in its 40th year, the Charleston, South Carolina-based show is one of the largest and longest running that specializes in wildlife, sporting and nature art all in one place for collectors to enjoy. Alongside the fine art are events featuring conservation education, sporting demonstrations, auctions and more. Attendees visit booths during a past SEWE event.

Focusing on contemporary artists who gather year after year to exhibit their artwork, SEWE has always been an event where connections are made. After pausing the in-person event for the pandemic there is the feeling of excitement for the artists and the collectors to be together again. “The experience of being at a show and having the personal connection with the collector and artists and being able to see a work of art in person will never be replicated by an online experience,” says John Powell, executive director of SEWE. “More than likely the collector has met the artist on one or more occasions, and we love that aspect…spending time in-person you get the personal relationship.”Julia Roger’s painting Golden Light, oil on linen, 36 by 45 inches, is this year’s featured piece.

Mark Horton, Easy Afternoon, oil on board, 11 x 14”

For the 2022 edition of SEWE, collectors will find a showcase of nearly 100 painters, carvers and sculptors in the Fine Art Gallery at Charleston Place. These are a mix of established, midcareer and emerging artists who focus on nature and sporting art in their work. Every year the show has a Featured Artist whose work appears on the poster for the event, but this year’s edition is special as it will also spotlight the 2021 Featured Artist and a Special Guest Artist.

Julia Rogers was chosen as the 2022 featured artist, and her beautiful swan painting Golden Light is the official poster artwork. “I was so excited to be asked to be the featured artist at the 2022 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition,” says Rogers. “I feel it is an acknowledgment in my area of interest in the art world and who wouldn’t feel lucky to have that? The city of Charleston does a great job welcoming the arts at this exposition and its lovely galleries.”Kathleen Dunphy, Little Man, oil on linen, 30 x 40

Paul Rhymer, The Candidate, life-size bronze, 38 x 28 x 26”

Explaining her featured piece, she says, “Spirals happen naturally in nature and to me, when swans are together preening it creates this pattern. Their natural ethereal quality is what I was looking for in creating this painting. An almost impossible scene yet believable. Even the grasses are laced with purples and blues to contrast the warm light. The feathers and random glints in the water are opportunities for the light to dance across the canvas.”

The 2021 featured artist, Mark Horton, will have an encore presentation in his work. Last year his artwork was featured virtually and this exhibition will provide the chance for collectors to see his art firsthand.Brett Smith, Quiet Rise, oil on linen, 14 x 18”

Grant Hacking, When the Dust Settles, oil on canvas, 36 x 48”

Artist Kathleen Dunphy was invited as the special guest artist. Dunphy says, “Being chosen as the guest artist is an incredible honor that’s inspiring me to pursue more ambitious paintings of greater complexity to feature in the show. I will have several larger works available, including a 48-by-48-inch of pelicans, a 24-by-48 of snow geese and two paintings of nearly life-sized turkeys. In addition to wildlife, I will also have a selection of landscape paintings on exhibit. The Expo is an amazing event and I can’t wait to get to Charleston to see it all!”

Other artists who will exhibit in the show include Laura Adams, John Banovich, David Gallup, Grant Hacking, Julie Jeppsen, Walter Matia, James Morgan, Don Rambadt, Paul Rhymer, Brett Smith and Ezra Tucker, to name a few.Ray Brown, Cuervo Curioso, charcoal on Stonephenge paper, 12 x 12”

This year’s event runs February 18 to 20 to general admission ticket holders, while VIP festivities will take place on February 17. There will be five venues where events will happen, allowing collectors to traverse Charleston for the full experience. VIP day includes the popular Private Preview Afternoon at Charleston Place from 1 to 5 p.m., which is followed by the Signature Gala & Sale from 7 to 11 p.m. One of the stars of the weekend has long been the Quick Draw/Speed Sculpt and Auction, which this year happens on February 18 at Charleston Place.

For a complete lineup of events and times, keep checking the SEWE website. —

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
February 17-20, 2022
Private Preview Afternoon, Charleston Place, Feb. 17, 1-5 p.m.
Signature Gala & Sale, Charleston Place, Feb. 17, 7-11 p.m.
Quick Draw/Speed Sculpt and Auction, Charleston Place, Feb. 18
Various locations throughout downtown Charleston, SC
(843) 723-1748, www.sewe.com