Over the years, we've had the honor of hosting hundreds of interns at the gallery—many of them from the College of Charleston’s Arts Management program. Each one brings a unique energy, curiosity, and creativity to our space. Watching them grow, not just as students, but as emerging voices in the art world, has been one of the quiet joys of running a gallery rooted in community.
Some go on to become curators, teachers, and gallery directors. Others pick up the brush or the chisel themselves, pursuing full-time careers as working artists. And what’s truly special is how many of them come back to visit—often during ArtWalks—to share where their journeys have taken them. These return visits always leave us inspired, reminded of how powerful mentorship and exposure to art can be.
This past Friday was a particularly heartwarming example. As we welcomed guests into the gallery for the August Art Walk, not only did a handful of former interns stop by, but so did a young artist who had once received a simple gift from us: a sketchbook.
She told us that sketchbook—and the encouragement she received when she was younger—played a role in her decision to pursue art seriously. She’s now headed off to art school, carrying with her the same creative spark that first lit up our gallery years ago.
And to top it all off, the evening held one more meaningful full-circle moment: one of my former students, Jeanette Louise—who I taught nearly eighteen years ago during a summer Art Institute class at Redux—is now a featured artist in our current From the Garden exhibit. Her piece, Fritillaries, is a stunning reflection of her growth and dedication as an artist.
It's moments like these that remind us: art doesn’t just hang on the walls. It lives in people. It grows, evolves, and returns home now and then to say hello. Heart = Full
