Southeastern Wildlife Exposition continues to build public sculpture trail throughout the Lowcountry

SEWE continues to expand upon their public sculpture initiative by placing a permanent piece of sculpture by David Turner at the Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park.

 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, has made public sculpture a top initiative of its service to the community. SEWE believes public sculpture is an important part of any community, as it provides access to art for everyone, especially for youth and underserved individuals.

In May of 2019, the first seeds were planted in partnership with the Town of Mount Pleasant for a sculpture exhibit that would extend throughout the region. The SEWE sculpture exhibit at Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park is meant to be a cultural experience, as well as the beginning of what will become a trail throughout the Lowcountry. “The waters and marshes of the Cooper River could not be a more appropriate backdrop for sculptures of animals indigenous to the region. Teeming with wildlife, the Cooper’s tidal waters are a reminder of the rich habitat of the Lowcountry and the importance of conservation and sustainability. It has been proven with these six sculptures, it also provides a place for reflection and inspiration,” said John Powell, SEWE President and CEO.

SEWE has recently acquired the sculpture Tidewater Terrapin from renowned sculptor David Turner. It will become a permanent installation at Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park and available for locals and visitors alike to view during park hours. “The focal point of Tidewater Terrapin is the Diamondback Terrapin. The sculpture also includes oysters and eelgrass which, along with the Terrapin, are all important barometers of the health of an Atlantic Tidewater ecosystem,” shared Turner.

In 2021, the first public sculpture linking Mount Pleasant to Downtown was unveiled, creating the first leg of the trail. The permanent public sculpture in the Charleston Visitor Center, For Spacious Skies by Walter Matia, was donated to the City of Charleston by the SEWE Board of Directors and staff in honor of Bill Hall. “The sculpture represents SEWE’s continued effort to promote public art, with the hopes of future works being placed throughout the Lowcountry in the coming years,” shared Neil Robinson, President and Chairman  of the SEWE board.

SEWE looks forward to building its sculpture portfolio throughout the Charleston area with several new installations on the horizon for the coming year. Those interested in submitting art or inquiring about SEWE’s sculpture initiative are encouraged to contact Meagan Trotta, [email protected].

For more information about SEWE, visit sewe.com or follow SEWE on Instagram (@SEWE) and Facebook (@SEWEchs).

ABOUT SOUTHEASTERN WILDLIFE EXPOSITION

For more than 41 years, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has proudly presented the finest in wildlife art, conservation and the outdoor lifestyle at its annual event in Charleston, South Carolina. SEWE will host its 42nd event in 2024 at multiple venues throughout downtown Charleston from February 16 – 18, with VIP events beginning on Thursday, February 15.

For more information on the event, please email [email protected], visit sewe.com or call 843.723.1748.