The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition announces renowned charcoal artist Ray Brown as 2025 Featured Artist

Southern California resident and acclaimed artist Ray Brown will showcase his compelling charcoal works at the Southeast’s premier wildlife art show in Charleston, SC.

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 named Ray Brown as its 2025 Featured Artist for next year’s event, taking place February 14-16 at multiple venues across downtown Charleston. As part of the showcase’s tradition, Brown’s original work Veiled has also been selected as the 2025 Featured Work. The piece will serve as the subject of the official SEWE 2025 poster and is currently on display at Gallery by SEWE, located in The Shops at Charleston Place at 205 Meeting St. It will remain there for visitors to view until it is auctioned off at the SEWE VIP Gala & Sale on February 13.

“Being named the SEWE 2025 Featured Artist is truly an honor and a validation of the work I’ve done over the years,” said Brown. “But more than that, it’s a full-circle moment for me. SEWE was the first show where I exhibited my work, more than twenty years ago. To be chosen as the 2025 Featured Artist takes me back to that first time I walked into the ballroom, and I feel proud of what I’ve accomplished in my career since then. I’m grateful that SEWE has continued to support me and provide a platform to showcase my work and passion for wildlife.”

Known for his evocative charcoal pieces, Brown’s choice of medium reflects his commitment to simplicity and authenticity. He strives to convey profound depth and emotion through textures and thoughtful compositions, as exemplified in the 2025 Featured Work, Veiled. This captivating artwork depicts a majestic bull moose, inspired by Brown’s numerous hikes through the American West, where he often experienced the forest as a sacred space. The bull moose symbolizes the noble and enchanting qualities of wildlife, and with Veiled, Brown sought to capture the deep connection between nature and its inhabitants.

SEWE thoughtfully curates a collection of fine art for its annual event and year-round gallery, bringing together top wildlife painters and sculptors from across the nation and beyond to showcase their exceptional talents in the Lowcountry. Each year, a Featured Artist is chosen to embody the event’s mission and create a central piece that captures the spirit of SEWE. Ray Brown joins a prestigious list of past Featured Artists who have made significant contributions to the world of wildlife art, sharing the title with renowned artists including Kathleen Dunphy, John Banovich, Julie Jeppsen, Greg Beecham, Ryan Kirby and more.

“We are deeply honored to have Ray Brown represent SEWE as our 2025 Featured Artist,” said John Powell, President of SEWE. “His remarkable talent and longstanding friendship with SEWE—having first exhibited with us more than two decades ago—speak volumes about his commitment to our mission. Ray truly embodies the values SEWE promotes on a national level, and his artistry continues to enhance our visibility across the country. We’re grateful that he will once again share his passion for wildlife conservation and the great outdoors at our event.”

Brown’s journey into the professional art world began with a B.S. in Visual Communications, which led to a career in commercial illustration and graphic design in his hometown of Baltimore, MD. However, his passion for nature, wildlife and outdoor experiences pulled him in a different career direction. Longing to capture the spirit of nature through his art, Brown seized an opportunity in 2003 to relocate to Southern California, where he has dedicated himself to pursuing his art full-time. Immersing himself in the wilderness out West, he has found endless inspiration and has been creating wildlife artwork ever since.

SEWE is recognized as the Southeast’s premier wildlife art show and is the largest event of its kind in the nation. 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 general admission passes, special events tickets and VIP packages are available for purchase now at sewe.com. For SEWE 2025, a new tiered ticketing system has been introduced for General Admission passes. There are three ticket tiers leading up to the event:

Tier 1: By purchasing before December, attendees can lock in 2024 prices, securing their spot at the best available rates.

Tier 2: Starting in early December, prices will increase. This tier offers attendees the opportunity to save while still enjoying the flexibility to purchase tickets until February 1, when online sales will close.

Tier 3: After February 1, tickets will be available at surrounding visitor centers, Gallery by SEWE and the Gaillard Center as well as at event venues during SEWE weekend. This tier reflects on-site pricing and offers attendees a flexible opportunity to join in the excitement.

Children 10 and under receive complimentary admission into all venues and do not require a ticket.

About the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition

For more than 40 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 43rd event in 2025 at multiple venues throughout downtown Charleston from February 14 – 16, with VIP events beginning on Thursday, February 13. 

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