Charleston Loan Exhibition

A N I NVITATION TO C HARLESTON , S.C. 12 dorned with a diadem of historic steeples and earthquake bolts, Charleston cuts an unmistakable silhouette. She gazes at the Atlantic Ocean, is embraced by serpentine tributaries and flecked with sweet grass and cerulean hues. The scent of secret gardens, a heady fusion of Carolina Jessamine and tea olive, coquettishly winks at briny sea breezes. Church bells, rustling palmetto fronds and Gullah, a lyrical sea island patois, compose the timeless score. Intensely pleasurable moments born of a 330-year-old farm-to-table movement spring forth at every meal. The Lowcountry, as locals lovingly call it, is a poetic place that etches its imprint on all who visit. Aptly described as a cosmopolitan crossroads and an architectural laboratory untouched by fad or fashion, Charleston exists as the last bastion of seersucker, a repository for decorative arts and an architecturally significant destination. The peninsula is a preservationist’s muse, and her chronology is evident at every turn. Cobblestone streets serve as a burnished roadmap through time, wearing the polish of several centuries. Copper lanterns and hitching posts hint at a bygone era. Ornate architecture, period antiques, paneled ballrooms and formal gardens illustrate the grandeur of colonial wealth. Charleston is an era expertly preserved by the owners of private dwellings and house museums, such as Historic Charleston Foundation’s Nathaniel Russell House which sets the tone for period elegance and distinctive architecture. Historic Charleston Foundation is an integral part of the rich history in this city, as its mission is to preserve and protect the historical, architectural, and cultural character of Charleston and the Lowcountry. Charleston’s distinctive flair for adopting anyone who upholds a commitment to keeping the city livable and vibrant. It begets a mesmerizing mix of arriviste craftsmanship amid society-steeped rituals. The density of the area’s architectural landmarks canvases the entire Lowcountry. Ironworking students glean inspiration outside the smithy by studying the prolific legacy of native son Philip Simmons, whose wrought iron gates festoon the city. Plaster apprentices parse every detail of the cornices at Drayton Hall (circa 1742), one of the finest examples of Georgian Palladian architecture in North America. These well-preserved details among many others are featured each spring during the award-winning Festival of Houses and Gardens. The month-long Festival features tours of private houses and gardens and is sponsored by Historic Charleston Foundation. This event, starting March 17, delights visitors and serves as an incubator for future arbiters of the Charleston aesthetic. While architecture, history, and culture are the premier attractions, Lowcountry cuisine also adds to the Charleston culture. Tastemakers abound. For the past three consecutive years, a Charleston chef has brought home the esteemed James Beard Foundation Best Chef Award, a three-peat feat achieved A By Ida Becker for the Charleston Area Convention and Visitor Bureau