While not every piece of clothing in one’s closet qualifies, one should have a piece or two that qualifies as art.
Do you agree? Historically, fashion has not often been elevated to the same stature as painting, music, sculpture or architecture. But fashion is one of the purest expressions of art because it is art lived daily.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, “Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination.” Art doesn’t just appear in a museum or on a canvas. Art is everywhere. It’s in the music we sing, the words we write, and the clothes we wear to express ourselves and our style. So then if art is whatever we deem it to be, we deem that fashion is art. It’s an individual form of creative expression delivered by a designer to our blank canvassed bodies.
To underscore this idea, we’ve set our fashion feature at some of the Lowcountry’s most esteemed art galleries. Tune your artist’s eye on this curated collection of clothing and allow yourself to appreciate it from a new perspective.
Ensemble by Palmettoes photographed at Ben Ham Images, 210 Bluffton Road, Bluffton
Ben Ham is a fine art film photographer who works exclusively in black and white. His lifelong fascination with nature is the source of his work, and many of his stunning images are from his favorite places, like his Lowcountry Collection with dramatic, sweeping Spanish moss-draped trees, oyster beds, and grassy marshlands, or the High-Altitude Collection with snowy Aspens, icy rivers, and dreamy lakes. In addition, he designed and built the interior of the Lowcountry style building. One step inside and visitors appreciate the magnitude and serenity his work inspires. It is the perfect space to see his stunning pieces. Ham’s works are intentionally produced to be multi-generational and last lifetimes.
Ensemble by Kelly Caron Curated, Photographed at Art League Academy
Ensemble by Collage Boutique, Photographed at Art League Academy
Beginner or professional, artist or collector, whatever your skill level or interest, at the Art League Academy, you’ll learn art from professional art educators. You can take one class or a series and choose from classes and workshops in acrylics, oils, mixed media, pastels, drawing, watercolor, monotype, collage, printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculpture, mobile-making, jewelry-crafting and other related arts. Students can work at their own pace in this open studio and at life drawing sessions. Whether you take a workshop, a weekly class series or stop in for the Lunch with the Masters lecture, you are sure to leave inspired.
Ensemble by The Haven, Photographed at Art League Gallery
Art League of Hilton Head is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit visual arts organization on Hilton Head Island. It was developed by individuals with a love of art and a desire to have a place for artists at all levels of expertise, to exhibit, inspire, inform, and instruct in a beautiful art gallery and teaching academy setting. They welcome artists and students in all media at all skill levels, including beginners. Within the gallery, visitors enjoy local artwork created by more than 250 member artists, all for sale with exhibits changing monthly. In addition, Art League Gallery hosts monthly opening receptions, artist talks and art demonstrations.
Ensemble by Haskins & Co., Photographed at J Costello Gallery
Judith Costello, owner-curator of J Costello Gallery, is attracted to artists through the stories they tell, and this approach is evident when visitors experience her gallery. Influenced at an early age to the worlds of opera, jazz, photography, and social statements, she began a personal art collection which, as she matured, emerged to private shows and creating relationships with artists and collectors. Today, her gallery reflects those influences through art that tells interesting stories, uses compelling mediums, and exudes quality craftsmanship.
Ensemble by Southern Tide, Photographed at Smith Galleries
Ensemble by Maggie and Me, Photographed at Smith Galleries
Smith Galleries is Hilton Head Island’s premier gallery of contemporary American fine craft and art. The gallery features the work of more than 300 outstanding American professional artists, along with a collection of creative toys for children the owners call “Kids who K.I.C.” (know, imagine and create).
Both the gallery and the building which houses it are owned by Jean and Wally Smith, who for many years were professional artists, she a weaver and he a potter. Smith Galleries encompasses 3,600 square feet and was designed by Bennett Strahan, a Taliesin architect (Frank Lloyd Wright). The interior of the gallery is fully equipped with custom display fixtures made by Wally, who also specializes in conservation custom picture framing.
Ensemble by Coastal Bliss; photographed at J Costello Gallery inside of Red Fish
Ensemble by Birdie James, Photographed at Pluff Mudd Art
Pluff Mudd Art is a gallery exclusively showcasing local art. Visitors can find fine art and gifts inside this charming cottage where the art is hung in the French “salon style” which allows for viewing a wide variety of pieces from each artist. The gallery is named after the dark, soft soil found at the bottom of the marshes and at the edges of the May River at the end of Calhoun Street. A vast selection of two- and three-dimensional, large and small artwork, in a variety of styles and prices makes this a “something for everyone, don’t-miss” gallery.
Ensemble by Copper Penny, photographed at Ben Ham Images in Old Town Bluffton
Ensemble by Gigi’s, Photographed at La Petite Gallerie
La Petite Gallerie is an intimate gallery celebrating fine local art. Currently, visitors can enjoy a collection featuring five of the area’s favorite painters and a talented sculptor, with many pieces spilling out into the adjacent garden. In addition to the pastel, acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings, you’ll find blown and fused glass, one-of-a-kind clay and sculpture made from found objects, copper “spinners,” fish, turtles, birds, and other fun garden art. Visit this special little gallery where you’re likely to catch one of the artists on duty sketching or painting on the shady garden deck.
*Prices change and human error occurs. Please confirm sales prices and all products mentioned with the retailers listed.
