Charleston's Vibrant Contemporary Art Scene Flourishes

Maybe it’s the salty breeze that clings to your skin, the sweet scents of jasmine and gardenia, or the whimsical cotton candy hues of winter skies, but Charleston has long enchanted artists of all kinds, simply by being itself. Throughout its nearly 300-year legacy, countless creative souls have captured its spirit, fostering an environment where imagination, curiosity, and community flourish.

Beneath its pastel facades, ornate iron gates, and charming cobblestone streets lies a city full of layers waiting to be uncovered. Charleston is not just a beautiful place to call home; it’s a mesmerizing destination for visitors. Delve deeper into this vibrant historic town, and you’ll discover unique pathways to explore. And if the chance arises, have a chat with these four inspiring locals who can share their insights on what it means to truly make a place your own and live beyond the boundaries of your creativity.

Henry Riggs & Maari Suorsa

Comedy Duo Nameless Numberhead, Creators of RIP City

It's a classic story: two friends with a love for comedy relocate to Chicago after college and find their passion working in a theater. Maari Suorsa from northern Massachusetts and Henry Riggs from Charleston teamed up to create the comedic duo Nameless Numberhead. They moved south, envisioning a future where they could cultivate a family, a community, and a career in the arts. Known as “The SNL of the South,” their unique blend of art and comedy takes center stage at RIP City, providing a platform for countercultural expression.

Henry: “Charleston's arts scene was incredibly diverse when I was a kid. It was a blend of the Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto Festivals—one international and one local, both happening simultaneously for two weeks every spring—along with visual art, street performances, and edgy experimental work. It ignited my imagination. Maari and I wanted to raise a family, and I felt drawn back to this quirky little town where I grew up. Inspired by folk duo Shovels & Rope, who thrive in Charleston while touring, we believed we could create something special here.”

Maari: “When I arrived in Charleston at 27, I was uncertain about making adult friends, but I’ve connected with truly wonderful people who are also creatives. They motivate me, particularly those who venture beyond conventional avenues—like our friend Jeremy Croft, who showcased his art at a local wine bar Stems & Skins before he and his wife Lindsay Collins transformed their home into a gallery for an art show. We often reflect on our early endeavors and wonder how we managed it all—we just did it.”

“We launched RIP City at the Charleston Jazz House downtown. Initially, we had 10 performers on stage with just six audience members watching us. Our friend and artist Nathan Durfee was an early supporter, doing stand-up with us and helping secure the venue through his connections. He was always anxious that we might tarnish his reputation with the jazz community, showing up after our shows with a vacuum to ensure everything was spotless.”

Henry: “RIP City is like an interactive variety show. We craft our own sets, hand-make our props, and design our costumes ourselves. We mix artists in unexpected ways; we’ve featured everyone from poets to pole dancers. RIP City has created unique intersections where people can connect, find inspiration, and contribute to each other's journeys. It has fostered a collaborative spirit. The participants of RIP City are remarkable; they are activists and aligned with important causes, all engaged with something. Exciting things are happening in Charleston all the time. It can be challenging to navigate, but once you start digging, you quickly discover how people and interests are intertwined. It's a vibrant and engaged community.

“Our goal is to demonstrate that art in Charleston can transcend boundaries. We aim to highlight the more unconventional aspects of art and encourage open-mindedness about alternative approaches. There’s a strong desire for this kind of space, and we’re carving it out.”

Asiah Mae

Charleston Poet Laureate, Showrunner for Holy City Vintage

If you were immersed in the artistic scene of South Carolina during the early 2000s, you likely encountered Asiah Mae at an open mic or felt their influence on experimental art. A theater enthusiast, lifelong writer, and film aficionado, Mae grew up outside the city but was drawn to the Lowcountry coast to attend art school in Charleston. As the second poet laureate, Mae champions literacy and inspires others to embrace all forms of art—especially those that resonate deeply.

“I attended the Art Institute of Charleston to study film, surrounded by friends who were art students. We realized that traditional schooling wouldn't be our catalyst; we needed to put ourselves out there. We frequented open mics at venues like the now-closed Huger’s downtown and 787 in North Charleston. Eventually, I found myself at the mic, which really boosted my confidence.

“I had never been very vocal about my poetry, but I created my own platform, Ill Vibe, where I wrote and attended numerous arts events. The poets in my circle inspired me to view things from new perspectives, leading my work to become quite experimental in the style of the 2010s. I performed at various showcases and venues across South Carolina—garages, warehouses. In 2016, a friend, KJ Kearney, introduced me to Charleston’s first poet laureate, Marcus Amaker. This connection opened up new opportunities for me, blending my community with one I was just discovering.

“Charleston feels like it’s experiencing a renaissance, which fuels my hope and drives me forward. There are so many unexplored facets of the arts here, and countless opportunities for collaboration that our community hasn’t yet tapped into. This is thrilling for an artist—to innovate a space and make it your own. Knowing that you can affect change is powerful. Growing up in the ‘90s, the struggling artist stereotype was prevalent. But art is omnipresent; it’s woven into everything. Charleston is a fertile ground for creativity, and as the city evolves, artists deserve to be included.

“There’s a spirit among Black people who were brought to Charleston and had to create from scratch. Gullah Geechee culture originated here, on these shores. Much of that narrative is sidelined while newer stories take center stage, but this is our foundation. A creative lineage thrives here.

“My grandparents were raised in Jacksonville, NC, which has its own Gullah Geechee influence, so relocating to Charleston felt like coming home. The city embraced me during my college years. My best friend is from here, as is my partner. Experiencing Charleston through their memories and teachings makes me feel a strong desire to give back to this place. It shaped who I am and taught me how to love.”

Tim McManus

Owner & Curator, Hed Hi Studio

When Shepard Fairey and Jasper Johns unveiled a Power & Glory mural at Tim McManus’s production studio in 2014, it ignited a spark of inspiration. He quickly took the lead in celebrating street art in Charleston by commissioning artists to transform the walls of his studio. As the pandemic altered McManus’s business model, he reimagined the heart of his space into a vibrant hub for visual artists to showcase their work. For four hours each month, Hed Hi Studio comes alive with fresh art, music, cold beverages, and anyone seeking a new way to connect.

“Before Hed Hi, there were limited venues for contemporary, emerging artists to display their work in Charleston. I had the space—right in the heart of the city—so during the pandemic, I revamped my studio with the idea of creating a progressive gallery for surf and street art. I believed people would be eager to gather again.”

“Hed Hi Studio is intentionally designed to be inviting and less intimidating than a traditional gallery. We don’t have a sign, and when we’re open, we’re simply open. Our schedule fills up organically, creating a sense of discovery for visitors. Walking in feels like a grand opening at a major city gallery, even if it’s just for four hours. All the magic happens in that fleeting moment. Much like surfing, there’s a saying, ‘You should have been here yesterday.’ Our art shows carry that same sense of impermanence.

“Meeting such a diverse range of local artists has fostered a supportive circle of inspirational friends and collaborators. Jonathan Rypkema crafted our doors and tables, painted murals outside, and has exhibited several times in the gallery. My friends from the surf community, who have participated in our shows, borrowed the name 96 Wave from a former Charleston radio station, launched a podcast, and now create short films, board swaps, and more to unite the community. My teenage kids benefit from this cultural hub in their dad’s office. Taylor Faulkner, who sold out our first show, assists my daughter with screen printing, while my son discovered his passion for skateboarding through Creighton Barrett, who showcased mixed media inspired by his tour stops with Band of Horses. The significance of having a space like Hed Hi Studio cannot be overstated.

How to Experience Charleston Like a Local

“We’ve established a vibrant mark between the highways that lead into and out of Charleston. If you glance over your shoulder while traveling either route, you’ll spot our murals. This is the last colorful refuge as the city expands. I feel a strong responsibility to care for this space.”

Can you teach an old town new tricks? Charleston would argue it’s indeed possible. In recent years, the city has witnessed a creative renaissance, where history intertwines with vibrant energy, creating a magical atmosphere. Here’s how you can immerse yourself in this enchantment.

Where to Dine

Until recently, Charleston was not particularly recognized for its restaurant diversity. However, new establishments such as Filipino eatery Kultura (led by James Beard Emerging Chef nominee Nikko Cagalanan), Ma’am Saab (a Pakistani restaurant on Meeting Street), Bintü Atelier (a cozy spot in a home on the east side offering dishes from across Africa), and Beautiful South for Cantonese cuisine, have expanded the culinary options available downtown.

Other newcomers worth checking out include Tully’s, identifiable by its hand-painted sign beneath the order window at the recently renovated Charleston Music Farm. With crispy smash patties, shredded lettuce, and toasted sesame buns, it’s a contender for the best burger in Charleston. Don’t miss Prophet Coffee in Park Circle, a tiny gem with friendly staff, the best coconut cold brew, and fresh pastries from Cakette Bakeshop each morning. And while in the Lowcountry, treat yourself to a dozen oysters at the Quinte, just off King Street, paired with a cold beer for the ultimate experience.

Other venues are elevating their offerings. Head over to Chico Feo on Folly Beach, a beach bar that gives off the vibe of lounging in your best friend’s backyard—if that friend lived just two blocks from the ocean and served you fresh fish tacos. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint on James Island offers Orange Crush cocktails and brisket nachos in a cozy courtyard. For an intimate dining experience downtown, Chez Nous sets the gold standard, where you can be enchanted by candlelight or sunlight streaming through the windows while enjoying a daily-changing menu in this converted home. And whether it’s the paella or the endless flow of wine porrons, you can’t leave the Spanish restaurant Estadio without a smile and vermouth in your belly.

What to Experience

Downtown Charleston is perfectly sized for exploration without needing a car, so rent a beach cruiser from Bilda Bike on Upper King Street instead. Navigate through historic neighborhoods from Cannonborough and Elliotborough to south of Broad Street, then glide along the waterfront at the Battery and Colonial Lake before unwinding at Hampton Park—an oasis you might overlook otherwise.

Take a picturesque trip to Ambrose Family Farm on Wadmalaw Island and the Sea Island Farmers’ Market on Johns Island, winding through 20+ miles of charming roads adorned with live oaks and Spanish moss for some farm-fresh produce.

For a night of laughter, head to North Charleston’s Wit’s End Comedy Club, where you’ll find comedy classes, open mics, and classic stand-up. Just across the street, grab a table at the Burgundy Lounge for strong cocktails and vinyl tunes from a rotating lineup of DJs. Wrap up your evening with a live performance from local musicians at the Royal American.

Looking to enjoy more drinks with the locals? Head to Lo-Fi Brewing for craft beer and an eclectic lineup of live musicians that echo your favorite Spotify discovery playlists. If you prefer natural wine, Bar Rollins hosts Wine School Wednesdays, chef pop-ups, and even collage classes from time to time.

Shopping Destinations

A visit to Sullivan’s Island is essential, where you can explore the boutique Goldbug for swimsuits, jewelry, and beauty products, as well as A Maker’s Post, a lovely shop dedicated to creators with art, plants, home goods, and books. Back in downtown, schedule a visit for custom and permanent jewelry at AL&EM’s first location, and don’t forget to stop by Philosophers & Fools for a new read paired with a glass of wine.

Accommodation Options

Charleston offers a variety of fantastic hotels. The city's skyline, adorned with numerous steeples and a distinctive red-capped cupola, highlights the Wentworth Mansion, which provides a stunning 360-degree view of the area. Established in 1886, this charming 21-room hotel is a luxurious haven that makes you feel right at home, showcasing the essence of genuine hospitality in every detail.

The Starlight Inn is the latest addition to the local scene. Nestled near the vibrant Park Circle neighborhood and downtown Charleston, this revamped motor inn offers a unique alternative to staying on the peninsula. Expect your phone to fill up with pictures of its pink and green exterior, retro checkerboard pool, and a bar that exudes a delightful 1960s vibe.