The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition announces artist Henry von Genk III from Jacksonville, Florida, as its 2026 featured artist

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that celebrates wildlife and the great outdoors through fine art, live entertainment and special events – announced Florida-based artist Henry Von Genk III as the 2026 Featured Artist for next year’s SEWE, held throughout five downtown Charleston locations from Feb. 13-15, 2026.

Von Genk’s original work, Charleston Splendor, has been chosen as the 2026 Featured Painting and will appear on the official SEWE 2026 poster. Prior to the event, the piece will be on display at Gallery by SEWE located within The Charleston Place at 205 Meeting Street in downtown Charleston. Charleston Splendor will be sold at auction at the SEWE VIP Gala and Sale on Feb. 12.

“It’s such an amazing honor to be selected as the Featured Artist for SEWE 2026,” said Von Genk. “It’s something that I’ve wanted my entire life, and it is a dream come true for sure. I’ve been attending SEWE since 1989 and I’m always humbled to be in the room with all the other artists at SEWE and to be a part of this incredible show and incredible team. Charleston has also become like my second home. There is so much natural beauty here in Charleston on the coast, and it’s been a huge influence to be able to take what I see and then transfer it into paintings in the studio.”

Each year, SEWE reviews artworks from around the world and carefully curates a fine art collection, drawing from the exceptional talents of some of the world’s top wildlife painters, artisans and sculptors. SEWE designates one Featured Artist to symbolize the event’s mission and craft a central piece of art that represents SEWE’s spirit. In joining this honored tradition, Von Genk stands alongside a distinguished lineage of internationally known artists who have held this title, including names like John Banovich, Ray Brown, Kathleen Dunphy, Ryan Kirby and more.

“Henry Von Genk is an extraordinary artist that embodies so much of what we want collectors and attendees to find at SEWE,” said John Powell, president and CEO of SEWE. “His work speaks for itself, but connecting with Henry as a person adds value to the full experience and gives you insight into the artist’s world along with the natural. The idea that art and collecting is as much about the artists themselves has always been a part of SEWE, and few make this experience as rewarding as Henry. We are proud to showcase Henry Von Genk as the 2026 Featured Artist, and so fortunate for his many years as an ambassador for SEWE.”

Charleston Splendor, the 2026 Featured Painting, portrays a peaceful scene of a white heron perched in Lowcountry marsh set against the backdrop of a pastel sunset sky filled with luminous cumulus clouds.

Regarding the Featured Piece, Henry said: “This painting has been in my mind for two years and this was the perfect way for it to live on. My love for clouds was born from being a private pilot and watching them with interest for a myriad of reasons; I understand them and I’m still in awe of every sunset. The combination of my favorite type and shape of the cumulus cloud being bathed in “golden hour” light and with the backdrop of the Lowcountry marsh is my idea of heaven. I am drawn to the Lowcountry in Charleston and surrounding areas and experience a ‘Coming Home’ feeling every time I arrive. I have never visited any place other than my hometown more often in my life. This painting sums up all the good things I love about Charleston in one image.”

Henry Von Genk III was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida and now resides with his family in Jacksonville Beach. As a self-taught artist who has mastered a realistic style of landscape paintings, Von Genk works in oils using glazing and shadowing techniques of the Old Masters of the Hudson River Painters to bring richness and depth to his paintings. After a long and successful career executing murals, including works for museums and top collectors around the world, Von Genk now focuses on fine art featuring the waterways and salt marshes of the East Coast.

“As someone who makes a living painting natural settings, I think wildlife conservation is something everyone should get behind,” remarked Von Genk. “I feel the need to capture the world we live in for the future just as the Hudson River painters did when there were no cameras, and the only way to show people what the world looked like was through their paintings. I’m thrilled to be the Featured Artist at SEWE 2026 and share my love of wildlife conservation through art.”

SEWE is recognized as one of the nation’s premier wildlife art shows and kickoff event for Charleston’s tourism season. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to showcase the finest in wildlife art, create awareness for the conservation of wildlife and the environment, positively influence wildlife and nature education, and impact the local and statewide economies through increased tourism.

SEWE tickets will be available for purchase online beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1. For additional information, please email [email protected], visit www.sewe.com, or call 843-723-1748.

ABOUT THE SOUTHEASTERN WILDLIFE EXPOSITION:

Founded in 1983, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that celebrates the great outdoors through fine art, live entertainment and special events. Celebrating its 44^th year in 2026, SEWE is where artists, craftsmen, collectors, and sporting enthusiasts come together in Charleston, South Carolina to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle and connect through a shared passion for wildlife. SEWE 2026 will take place from Feb. 13-15 at multiple venues throughout downtown Charleston, with VIP events beginning on Thursday, Feb. 12. For more information, please visit www.sewe.com.