Gardens of Glass: The Art of Craig Mitchell Smith May 27-August 22, 2026
Gardens of Glass: The Art of Craig Mitchell Smith showcases vibrant glass sculptures that capture nature’s beauty. The pieces shine by day with intricate colors and details, and on select summer evenings are illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere.
Daytime admission is included with the general admission ticket to the Gardens, while evening visits require a separate event ticket to Summer Light: Art by Night, Wednesday and Saturday evenings, May 27 – August 22.
Society of Animal Artists Exhibition: May 9-July 26, 2026
Society of Animal Artists Exhibition brings together work focused on wildlife and close observation of the natural world, showing how Anna Hyatt Huntington’s influence shaped the directions of contemporary animal art.
This juried exhibition, featuring many of today’s leading sculptors and painters, pays tribute to her remarkable legacy and celebrates the 150th anniversary of her birth.
Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is located on U.S. 17 between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast, and is open to the public daily.
A Two-Day Scholarly Symposium Exploring 250 Years of American Independence
Revolutionary Ideas: Origins, Contexts, and Legacies of American Independence welcomes a remarkable international gathering of historians, biographers, and statesmen at the Dock Street Theatre on June 24 and 25, 2026. Scholars Jon Meacham, Vincent Brown, Maya Jasanoff, Andrew O’Shaughnessy, Sir Michael Fallon, and more will be featured over the two days. Co-presented with SC250 Charleston, the symposium asks the questions that anniversaries can skip past — what made the Revolution possible, who it left out, what it set in motion, and why it still resonates today.
When: Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25, 2026
Where: The Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street, Charleston, SC
Presented by: Charleston Literary Festival and SC250 Charleston
In collaboration with: International African American Museum (IAAM), Charleston Library Society, South Carolina Historical Society, and the Ditchley Foundation (UK).
Experience Drayton Hall After Hours and bring a date, gather your friends, or make it a family night out at Drayton Hall at Night.
Stroll the grounds as the sun sets and enjoy the stunning beauty of the landscape, enhanced by live music from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quartet, performing from the iconic portico throughout the evening. The house will be open for self-guided tours, with knowledgeable interpreters on hand to share the rich history of Drayton Hall.
A Cup of History: The Way of Tea◊ May 30, 2026
Tea lovers and history enthusiasts alike are invited to experience A Cup of History at Drayton Hall, a one-of-a-kind event that explores the intersection of fine Chinese teas and the fight for American independence.
At the heart of this experience is a curated tea service featuring premium Chinese teas, carefully selected to reflect the types imported to the American colonies before the Revolution. Savor prized teas produced in China using centuries-old traditional methods and experience Cha Dao, The Way of Tea, while learning how tea—once a luxury of empire—became a catalyst for protest and political upheaval.
Guests will enjoy a tour of Drayton Hall with curator Amber Satterthwaite followed by a presentation and guided tea tasting led by tea expert Richard Kligler of For All the Tea in Charleston. You’ll also explore how global commerce, British taxation, and local resistance converged over tea, and how it became both a daily ritual and a symbol of resistance during a time of tension and transformation.
Click here for additional information on these and other events at Drayton Hall.
After Hours Wine Stroll◊ May 15, 2026
As the golden hour hits the gardens, enjoy an evening where the wine flows as easily as the conversation. Wander world-famous garden paths, drink in hand, and witness the spectacular May blooms. Hydrangeas will be bursting with color, and namesake Southern magnolia trees will be showing off their iconic white blossoms.
Savor curated wine selections paired with delicious light bites, all while unwinding to the soulful sounds of live music in the garden.
A Fairytale Summer: Fairies & Flowers◊ May 16 through July 12, 2026
This summer, step into the Fairies & Flowers exhibit and experience a dreamy adventure through 20+ whimsical fairy village dwellings along acres of winding garden paths.
Layered scenes and stories appear among historic gardens, inviting guests of all ages to seek and discover hidden treasures tucked throughout the displays.
Each delicate installation is skillfully created by Charleston-based artists, revealing talent and charm in the tiniest details.
Click here for additional information on these and other events at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens.
Roots Uprising Dance Company: Witness Trees ◊ May 31, 2026
As part of Middleton Place’s 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution programming, Witness Trees at Middleton Place is the premiere of a site-specific dance performance inspired by the Conversations of Freedom exhibit. Presented by Roots Uprising Dance Company with live music from the Colour of Music Festival, this powerful outdoor performance reflects on the stories of freedom, struggle, and resilience connected to the Middleton Place landscape, honoring the deep relationship enslaved Africans and African Americans had with the land.
Click here for additional coverage information on these and other events at Middleton Plantation.
This year marks a special milestone for Seabrook Island—20 years of being a dog-friendly beach community.
What began as a one-year trial in 2006 has become a defining part of island life, made possible by a shared commitment to responsible dog ownership, respect for our environment, and a community that values the simple joy of dogs on the beach.
To celebrate, the Seabrook Island Dog Owners Group (SIDOGS) invites all residents to join us for a special anniversary gathering:
Yappie Hour – 20th Anniversary Celebration On the beach between Boardwalks 1 and 2 Thursday, May 21 5:30 – 7:00 pm
This will be a relaxed potluck, BYOB beach party:
Bring a dish or snack to share Bring whatever you’d like to drink (no glass on the beach) Water will be provided for both humans and dogs Come with or without a pup—all are welcome.
We will also be collecting donations for Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, continuing SIDOGS’ long tradition of giving back.
Was it Brie or was it Cheddar? Learn how a stolen piece of cheese helped spark 20 years of happy dogs on the beach. Read the full SIDOGS history here.
Become Greek for the Weekend, May 8-10, 2026, when the 55th Annual Charleston Greek Festival returns. Lowcountry residents and visitors are invited to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Race Street, to feast on Greek dishes, from salads and moussaka to roasted lamb, gyros, and pastries. Sample Greek wines and beers. Enjoy performances of local Greek dance troupes. Take a guided tour of the church. Stroll through the arts and crafts booths located on the church grounds.
The Seabrook Island Artist Guild (SIAG) is proud to present its Memorial Day Weekend Art and Craft Show—an exceptional opportunity to explore and experience the creativity of talented local artists and craftsmen.
Join us on Saturday, May 23, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm for a day of art, inspiration, and community. In the event of inclement weather, the show will be held on Sunday, May 24, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. A weather decision will be made one to two days before the event.
This year’s event will be held on the green in front of the Seabrook Island Real Estate Company, located at 1002 Landfall Way, just outside the gate. This convenient and welcoming location makes it easy for our neighbors from Kiawah Island and Johns Island to join us for this special event.
Step back in time for an unforgettable evening at the Bootleggers Bash benefiting the Seabrook Island Employee Assistance Fund on Thursday, May 14 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm in the Atlantic Ballroom.
Enjoy speakeasy-style fun featuring:
Chef Dan Doyle’s signature and bountiful food stations – to include raw bar, fish station, chicken supper club station, steakhouse carving station, classic hotel sides and vegetables, speakeasy canapé table, dessert parlor
Live entertainment
Complimentary spirits tastings
Live auction, raffle, and surprises throughout the night
1920s attire is encouraged (but not required).
Thanks to your generosity, 50 employees have already been assisted, totaling $137,000 in support. We are proud to share that SIPOA employees are now eligible for funding, and we have established the Nancy Beaudway Memorial Scholarship Fund to further invest in our community’s future.
Help us continue to grow this impact by attending the Bootleggers Bash – all proceeds support the dedicated employees who make Seabrook Island so special.
Tickets are selling quickly! Purchase tickets and learn more about sponsorships at The Fund at SI.
Come for the bash. Stay for the heart behind it.
-Submitted by The Seabrook Island Employee Assistance Fund
The Charleston Airshow is coming to Charleston Harbor this Saturday, May 2. This is the first time in over a decade that the Blue Angels will perform over the waterfront. The show is free, open to the public, and no tickets are required.
Practice flights take place on Thursday, April 20, and Friday, May 1.
To find out more about times, parking, and public viewing areas, click here.
Please note that there will be significant traffic and congestion beginning late in the morning on Saturday, May 2, in downtown Charleston, on the Mount Pleasant waterfront, and along routes near the Ravenel Bridge.
A limited number of spots remain for the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic’s 19th Annual Golf Invitational at Cassique on June 16. This event sells out quickly, so don’t miss the opportunity to play a challenging course while supporting a meaningful cause. Registration is available for both teams and individual players.
Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic provides a free medical home to uninsured adults across the Tri-County area, serving more than 1,200 patients, many of whom work in hospitality, landscaping, and construction across the Barrier Islands.
This past Sunday, on a beautiful afternoon, the Seabrook Island Green Space Conservancy (SIGSC), in partnership with SIPOA, organized an enjoyable bike ride and Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) tour highlighting several of our preserved green spaces. The tour kicked off with a detailed map of the 8-mile bike route. The SIPOA Safety and Security Committee generously provided bells for the bicyclists to enhance their safety and enjoyment.
Participants explored 11 designated sites, each marked by green and white flags that highlighted the extent of conservation efforts on Seabrook Island. At every stop, dedicated volunteers provided insightful overviews of these preserved areas. Attendees collected stickers at each location to track their progress throughout the tour. Continue to see pictures of the event.
Seabrook Island Village (SIV) hosted a workshop on “Navigating Wise Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)” on April 14. This high-interest presentation, with an audience of over 50 people, was led by Chad Droze.
With so many questions about AI, Chad led the audience through a basic understanding of what AI is and what AI is not, giving examples along the way. It was very surprising to learn that most of us are using some form of AI without even realizing it whenever we use our devices. The software on our devices uses our information and habits to learn patterns from our data to make decisions, predictions, or create new content.
Popular AI apps such as ChatGPT can be beneficial to us, but we also need to be aware of Deep Fake AI, such as face swapping, voice cloning, lip syncing, and full body puppeteering, having us question what is real. A highlight of Chad’s presentation was his creation of a live demo of AI using ChatGPT with a real scenario. Audience members then had the opportunity to share their own experiences using AI apps. The program concluded with the reminder that where AI is going in the future leaves us with more questions than answers.
