Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
The Charleston art scene is constantly buzzing with dazzling exhibitions for art lovers to soak in, and it’s almost impossible to see it all before it’s gone. There are two gallery experiences you shouldn’t miss — one takes place in a well-known museum and the other in an unexpected place. From now into the new year, folks can head to the Gibbes Museum of Art to view rarely seen works by Rembrandt, a Dutch painter and of the most famous artists in history. Or in early November, take a quick field trip to the Navy Yard Historic District for a pop-up showcasing five artists widely celebrated in the Holy City. “Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White” exhibit On view until Jan. 11 For the first time, American audiences will have a rare opportunity to see etchings from the globally known icon Rembrandt. And Charleston is the first city to host them. The U.S. tour of the landmark exhibition “Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White – Prints from the Rembrandt House Museum” will be on view through Jan. 11, 2026, at the Gibbes Museum of Art in downtown Charleston. “Rembrandt was a star, celebrated as a genius in his own day,” said Alex Rich, the new president and CEO of the Gibbes. “However, Rembrandt is best known for his self-portraits and narrative paintings. This exhibition will reveal a completely new vision of him.” The etchings in the exhibition exemplify the gifted draftsmanship and hand of the artist, he said. They are startlingly small in scale, demanding the close attention of every viewer. “In the galleries we provide our audience with magnifying glasses, which generates such a fun environment for learning and studying art,” Rich said. The exhibition features 44 works by Rembrandt and 14 by other 19th- and 20th-century artists including Picasso and Whistler. The works reveal Rembrandt’s mastery as a visual storyteller, his daring manipulation of light and shadow, and his use of self-portraits to examine the nuances of aging. “When it comes to etchings — the illuminating central focus of the Gibbes’ show — Rembrandt was a game changer,” Rich said. “He made the medium his own, seeing in it the potential for endless exploration and reinterpretation.” A central theme of the presentation is the concept of “slow looking,” encouraging visitors to take their time with each piece. “Recomissioned” pop-up exhibit On view 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 1-4 As Charleston experiences a surge of rapid development, many of the artists who helped shape the city’s cultural identity are now struggling to find spaces to showcase their work. “Recommissioned” serves as a bold response. The four-day pop-up exhibit is a collaborative undertaking that brings together some of Charleston’s most well-known visual artists in a distinctive industrial space in the Historic Navy Yard called Storehouse 8. The free opening reception with light bites and refreshments takes place 2-5 p.m. Nov. 1. The show aims to reclaim artistic leeway, ignite conversation and reimagine how art can be shared beyond the confines of traditional galleries. The daytime exhibit is on display until sundown and will utilize natural lighting coming through windows. The exhibition features paintings from Jeremy Croft, Paul Cristina and Nathan McClements, sculpture by Fletcher Williams III and 3D found-item works by Hirona Matsuda, who defines herself as an assemblage artist. “To see five Charleston-based artists of this caliber showing work together for the first time in such a striking space is going to be something truly spectacular,” said curator Lindsay Collins, founder of LMC Studios at the Navy Yard. A vast range of style and technique will be on display, she said, from technical figurative paintings and vibrant abstract pieces to delicate large-scale installations and powerful thought-provoking sculpture, including a creation that weighs nearly 800 pounds. “The room we are showing the work in is jaw-dropping," Collins said. "Most people who I’ve shown the space to had no idea there were rooms that austere and striking in North Charleston. It feels like you’re in a blue chip gallery in Chelsea and that’s what these artists deserve, but within a few months time that space will no longer be available.” This show is a call to action for artists to activate as much of the Holy City as possible to foster subculture before it’s too late, she said. Hopefully “Recommissioned” will inspire others to participate in the DIY arts scene.
