Artistic Equation
It was five years ago that Cynthia Huston made her art debut after decades of secretly painting. She was a student under Charleston artist Laurie Meyer, who encouraged her to participate in a student art show. With her pieces in hand, she unveiled her work after decades in the dark. “I was so nervous to even […]
Shine On
Mixed-media artist Amy Dixon is one of those rare individuals who has managed to hold on to her authentic self and a genuine sense of joy, curiosity and creativity throughout her life. All of it—the authenticity and vitality—is contagious. Dixon is represented by Hagan Fine Art Gallery & Studio in Charleston and is one of the […]
Living Outside
Over the past few years, more and more focus has been given to outdoor living spaces and creating oases where people can spend just as much time outside as they do inside. It’s given rise to all manner of products for outdoor use—the most important of which, of course, is outdoor furniture that’s just as stylish […]
A Love Letter To Charleston
Rob Leahy, the owner of Fine Rugs of Charleston, has been weaving stories for 50 years, having spent five decades in the carpet business. He opened the independently owned flooring design showroom 18 years ago and is profoundly grateful to his customers for their loyalty and the privilege of being part of their lives. “My relationship […]
The Humanity of Art
A portrait of girl with a pearl earring made entirely of buttons, a punk-rock Buddha robed in Swarovski crystals and a bronze grenade flowerpot. When Aldo Castillo is considering an artist for his eponymous galleries in Naples and Estero, Florida, he looks for two things: innovation and documentation. For more than three decades, the gallerist has appreciated art’s […]
Bespoke Carpets
When Gary Shafran was in his 20s, he opened a store in Brooklyn, New York, and named it Gary’s Curtain Shop. “I learned a tremendous amount about business and the way to treat people in my first venture,” says Shafran, who spent many years working in the fabric and wallpaper world for comp-anies such as Stroheim […]
Perfect Fit
Distinctive. stylish. welcoming. The cottagey new showroom for Jean’s Custom Workroom reflects the owner’s Charleston sensibility and offers a totality of interior design services under one roof for both professionals and homeowners. “Builders, architects, interior designers—we work with all of them,” says owner Jean Peters. “We offer options for a variety of circumstances. A person […]
Unearthing Gemstones
While most people think of diamonds and other similar stones as gems, there are other more unusual minerals that also fall under the classification. For me, finding those minerals is a passion that takes me all over the world. The minerals, corals and fossils at my company, Empressive Earth Gallery, come from many different countries across six […]
Fine Artist
Charleston fine artist Mary L. Hoffman shares her lifelong journey to a flourishing career that, today, includes a wide-ranging portfolio of professional work and ownership of Mary Hoffman Fine Art. “My father always told me that ever since I could hold a pencil in my hand, I was drawing something—on scraps of paper or anything I […]
MILES ON THE CANVAS
In a typical year, plein air painter Allison Chambers would be working in her studio, taking trips abroad to paint, teaching classes and participating in shows. This is a busy life that she loves. However, with classes, trips and art openings postponed or canceled, Chambers found a silver lining in the unexpected windfall of time: […]
