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June Issue 2004
Martin Gallery Moves to Preeminent Charleston,
SC, Location
by Christina E. Stafford
Martin Gallery has been comfortably nestled in a charming old Charleston, SC, stucco at 57 Queen Street since April of 1999. Formerly the old C&S Counting House, the location between the Dock Street Theatre and the Mills House Hotel has been quite favorable. In May, 2004, the gallery relocated to another erstwhile bank space, the ground floor of the People's Building. Not only is the floor space tripled, the lofty ceilings are 25 feet tall and the exterior walls consist of great banks of windows. In addition to the Grand Salon, there is a photography gallery, a small works gallery and a viewing room.
As many know, the nationally historic registered People's Building is one of the very first skyscrapers in the Holy City, circa 1911. Located at the corner of State and Broad Streets, the People's Building presided over the district known for law offices and banks, an edifice that consolidated both within its walls. As time has progressed, the banks and law offices have moved towards the edges of Charleston for better parking, custom office space and greater accessibility. In the wake of these institutions, Broad Street has increasingly become known as the heart of the art district. Located centrally in the historic French Quarter, Broad Street is the main artery for over 35 galleries.
The Grand Salon of the People's Building has
remained empty for the past five years. Martin Gallery's presence
in and revitalization of this elegant space was much anticipated
by many members of the community.
Martin Gallery features contemporary art, including plein air
paintings by Mitch Billis and Kathleen Billis, Italian master
Imero Gobbato's oil and acrylic seascapes, and acclaimed wildlife
sculptor Leo Osborne's wood burls and bronzes. On display are
the nautical photographs of Michael Kahn, marble and terra cotta
sculpture by Claire McArdle, the abstract landscapes of William
Crosby, Christopher Schink's vibrant watercolors of cafes and
musicians, and impressionistic still life paintings by Charleston
artist Jennifer Spencer.
The gallery also offers select jewelry and glass art by America's best artisans, featuring custom designs by acclaimed master goldsmith Glade Sarbach Davis. To this illustrious roster Martin Gallery is adding the large, impressionistic landscapes of emerging artist Jared Clackner, the sensual, evocative still-lifes of Montreal artist Gilles Charest and surrealistic animal bronzes by Maine artist James R. Pyne.
For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 843/723-7378 or at (www.martingallerycharleston.com).
Christina E. Stafford, is manager of Martin Gallery with a BFA in Art History from UC Santa Cruz.
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc. Copyright© 2004 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts Online, Copyright© 2004 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use without written permission is strictly prohibited. Carolina Arts is available throughout North & South Carolina.