Southeastern Wildlife Expo – Charleston, SC!

Painting by 2014 Featured Artist, Chad Poppleton - Image via Southeastern Wildlife Expo Facebook
Painting by 2014 Featured Artist, Chad Poppleton – Image via Southeastern Wildlife Expo Facebook

Congratulations to Chad Poppleton for being named Southeastern Wildlife Expo’s featured artist for 2014! This is quite the dramatic painting. Just look at that water. I can absolutely hear it! Fabulous!

Southeastern Wildlife Expo (SEWE) begins this week. SEWE is a huge exhibit with art, wild life, demo’s… you name it, they’ve got it! This expo seems to be the kick off for the busy season. There will be a lot of people in town this weekend, and there is so much to see. SEWE has a fabulous website, check it for the EVENTS, purchase TICKETS, learn more about the ARTISTS, and check out the EXHIBITS. Of course there is more, much more, so see what all it has in store for you!

While you’re in town, don’t forget to hit the galleries nearby! Charleston is more than the #1 Tourist Destination in the USA, it is chock full of fabulous art galleries appealing to every sense of style possible. Broad Street has some great galleries, as well as a few places to stop and get a bite to eat!

There is so much to see and do this weekend in Charleston, don’t miss out! Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K !

O n e Y e a r A g o:               Lincoln: The Movie!

T w o Y e a r s A g o:          Charleston Navy Base Homes – set of Army Wives!

T h r e e Y e a r s A g o:      Mac or PC/Laptop or Desktop 2011…

Featured Artist (and SEWE artist!)… Mark Horton!

MarkHorton OnTheRoad sewe

On The Road by Mark Horton 

Part of the Southeastern Wildlife Expo

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Mark has one cool style. Known mainly for his landscapes they draw you in and capture you. His marsh scenes are an exquisite view of what the Charleston area is really all about. Look at this painting… don’t you feel like you’re about to embark on a hiking adventure in the woods? Whew, I do… I think I burned a few extra calories just thinking about it, ha ha…

On occasion Mark gives workshops, so be sure to check out the gallery website to see when one is coming up. If you’re an artist, I’m sure it’ll be one that you will find both informative AND lots of fun!

The Southeastern Wildlife Expo (SEWE) will be sweeping into town soon. Very soon. Come February 15-17 Charleston will be hopping… even more than normal! People come from all over the world to attend. Read a little more about SEWE from their website… check it out, great photos and information!

Now in its 30th year, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition has grown to be the largest event of its kind in the nation, attracting over 500 artists and exhibitors from around the globe who present their offerings to over 40,000 attendees. A 3-day celebration of nature that has earned a reputation for excellence, SEWE now hosts the world’s foremost experts in wildlife and nature art, as well as conservation research and environmental education. 

Established in 1982, the first Southeastern Wildlife Exposition took place in February of 1983, with approximately 100 exhibitors and 5,000 people in attendance. Its goal was, and is, to produce an event which contributes significantly to the economy while promoting the conservation and preservation of nature and wildlife through its educational outreach programs and its focus on the visual arts. 

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is a critical part of the South Carolina and Charleston calendar. Run with the utmost professionalism and pride, an effort that began as a small winter diversion has now become the largest annual event to take place in South Carolina and one of the most popular and successful events in the country.

View the 2013 Southeastern Wildlife Expo brochure

Here’s a blip about Mark from the gallery website, I think you’ll have to agree with me that Mark is one accomplished dude… and on top of being exquisite at what he does, he’s a super nice guy. Someone that you really enjoy talking to. Now for the blip…

Mark Kelvin Horton was born and raised in rural North Carolina. After graduating from East Carolina University School of Art in 1983, Horton moved to New York City to begin a career in advertising and design. He carried with him the dream of someday becoming a painter.

Eighteen years of living in New York were spent working as a creative director in various advertising agencies and eventually founding his own design company. Those years also provided an invaluable opportunity for Horton to view and study firsthand the seemingly endless number of masterworks of art in the city’s museums and galleries. Horton became particularly fascinated with the works of George Inness, Herman Herzog, Frederick Church and the tonalist photographer, Edward Steichen. He was also captivated by the realism of John Singer Sargent and Winslow Homer as well as the romantic landscapes of the Hudson River School painters. The experience had a profound effect on his artistic development.

During his years working as an artistic director and designer, Horton continued to nurture his “fine art side”, drawing, sketching and painting whenever he had the opportunity. In early 2001 Horton made the decision to devote himself full-time to painting. He left New York City and returned to his Southern roots, moving to Charleston, South Carolina.

Horton is particularly fascinated with the effects of light and weather upon the landscape. He paints beyond a literal interpretation of a scene to portray nature in a way that reflects his own ideas and sensibilities while capturing the spirit, color and changing light of a place.

If you can’t make it to the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, check out the Horton Hayes Gallery website, and if you’re ever in Charleston, SC that is one gallery that you must pop in to. You won’t be disappointed!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE), Charleston, SC February 17-19, 2012!

Image: Google

Mark it on your calendars… make your reservations… book those plane tickets! Southeaster Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) is February 17-19, 2012 in Charleston, SC! This marks the 30th year! Come see why there is such a huge draw. The city will see over 40,000 people fill the streets, auditoriums and many other venues in those three days. That’s the nice thing about this expo, it’s spread out, you can pick and choose what interests you! Did I mention the shopping district in Charleston, SC? Pretty darn exquisite… So there is something to do for everyone!

Here is an interesting fact from SEWE’s website that gives you an idea of how popular it is in Charleston:

What does SEWE do for the community?
SEWE has an economic impact of $63.8 million annually to the state, bringing life to the area at a traditionally slow time for the Lowcountry tourist industry. In addition, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition provides the public with affordable access to cultural and educational opportunities as they relate to wildlife and nature conservation and preservation
.

Whoa! 63.8 million! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Here’s a blip from the SEWE website:

Now in its 30th year, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition has grown to be the largest event of its kind in the nation, attracting over 500 artists and exhibitors from around the globe who present their offerings to over 40,000 attendees. A 3-day celebration of nature that has earned a reputation for excellence, SEWE now hosts the world’s foremost experts in wildlife and nature art, as well as conservation research and environmental education. 

Established in 1982, the first Southeastern Wildlife Exposition took place in February of 1983, with approximately 100 exhibitors and 5,000 people in attendance. Its goal was, and is, to produce an event which contributes significantly to the economy while promoting the conservation and preservation of nature and wildlife through its educational outreach programs and its focus on the visual arts. 

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is a critical part of the South Carolina and Charleston calendar. Run with the utmost professionalism and pride, an effort that began as a small winter diversion has now become the largest annual event to take place in South Carolina and one of the most popular and successful events in the country.

Here is some info from their website in regards to purchasing tickets:

How much are tickets?
General admission tickets for Friday or Saturday are $20; Sunday: $10, and 3-Day: $40.

How much are children’s tickets?
Children 10 and under are admitted free of charge.

How can I buy tickets in advance?
Advance tickets may be purchased online, by phone (843/723-1748), at the Gaillard Auditorium, and at the Charleston Area Visitor Centers. 

• Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting Street (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily)
• Gaillard Auditorium, 77 Calhoun Street (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri)
• Mount Pleasant Visitor Center/Waterfront Park, 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily)
• Kiawah Visitor Center/Town Hall, 200 Beachwalker Drive (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri)
• North Charleston Visitor Center/American LaFrance Fire Museum, 4975-B Centre Point Drive (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sun)

Can I buy tickets at the event?
Tickets may be purchased during show hours at Charleston Visitor Center, Charleston Place Hotel, Francis Marion Hotel, Mills House Hotel, Gaillard Auditorium, Marion Square, and Brittlebank Park.

Will tickets sell out?
SEWE will not run out of General Admission tickets.  Please be advised that GA seating for events in the Gaillard Auditorium is first come, first served and is not guaranteed.  The same is true for viewing space near the ring for Retreiver and Center for Birds of Prey demos, and near the tank for DockDogs competitions.