For more than 180 years, our building at 2 Queen Street has quietly stood watch over Charleston. It has survived hurricanes, wars, countless renovations, and perhaps most notably, the great Charleston earthquake of 1886. That earthquake, which tragically claimed around 60 lives across the city, also left its mark on our building. In the now piano room, a massive crack opened in the back wall. Remarkably, that wall has held tight ever since, carrying the weight of history for nearly a century and a half. We have had a few dance parties that threatened to crumble it but it is resilient, it might be the 15" beams that hold it up.
But time eventually asks for its due.
Over the last few years, we've watched portions of that old masonry begin to crumble, and we've reached the point where repairs can no longer be postponed. Beginning this summer, we'll be undertaking a significant restoration project to help ensure that this beautiful old building remains standing for generations to come.
The work will be completed by Smart Renovations, a fantastic local company that recently restored the building directly across the street from us and has also completed important work on Charleston's historic St. Philip's Church. We feel fortunate to have such experienced hands caring for a building that means so much to us.
What does this mean for the gallery?
During July and August, we plan to be closed but will remain open by appointment if someone needs to see something but we may need to bring it to you. We will still be exhibiting new bodies of work, primarily online, but access to the gallery will depend on construction schedules and, most importantly, safety. Most days visits simply won't be possible. As we get closer, we'll keep everyone updated and do our best to accommodate collectors, visitors, and friends of the gallery.
As for the exterior, there will likely be some rather unglamorous scaffolding surrounding portions of the building through much of the fall. It's not exactly the look we'd choose, but it's part of the process of preserving a piece of Charleston history.
In a strange way, we're actually looking forward to this chapter. Anyone who lives in an old building knows there is always a list of projects you've been meaning to tackle "someday." This restoration gives us the opportunity to address some of those long-delayed maintenance items and make improvements that will benefit both the gallery and the artists who call it home.
We've always thought of this building as more than brick and mortar. It has hosted thousands of exhibitions, first dates, proposals, concerts, poetry readings, celebrations, and conversations. It has been a gathering place for artists and art lovers for over two decades under our care, and for many decades before that under the care of others.
This next phase is simply another chapter in the story.
Thank you, as always, for your patience, support, and understanding as we work to preserve this old space that has given so much to all of us.
