Charleston Crafts Gallery, an artist-owned cooperative in the heart of downtown Charleston, is pleased to present its July exhibition, By the Sea, which opens with a public reception on Friday, July 3, from 5pm to 8pm.

With summer in full swing and South Carolina’s coastline shaping so much of the region’s culture and creative spirit, By the Sea celebrates the beauty, movement, and atmosphere of coastal living through fine craft. Across ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, woodcraft, paper art, and mixed media, the exhibition highlights work inspired by the textures, wildlife, colors, and rhythms found near the water.

Featuring original work by the gallery’s member artists, the exhibition showcases contemporary fine craft rooted in both personal expression and a shared connection to the coast.

Featured artists include:

• Anne John — a ceramic artist known for refined porcelain vessels and functional pottery inspired by the birds and flowers surrounding her home. Her gas reduction firings enhance the translucency of the clay and create dynamic movement within the glazes.

• Lynne Gettelfinger — a fiber artist recognized for richly layered art quilts and one-of-a-kind textile accessories. Inspired by the ocean and coastal life, she combines hand-dyed and commercial fabrics through raw-edge appliqué and detailed stitching techniques.

• Thia Beniash — a polymer clay artist working with the millefiori technique, layering and manipulating colorful clay canes entirely by hand. Her work transforms pattern and color into contemporary pieces that celebrate craftsmanship and individuality.

• Tammy Rudd — a jewelry artist whose work centers around handcrafted flamework glass beads. Working at a torch flame, she carefully layers molten glass into colorful wearable pieces filled with detail and artistry.

• Ron Herzog — a wood artist specializing in intarsia, a centuries-old woodworking technique that uses individually cut pieces of wood chosen for their grain, tone, and texture. His work often reflects scenes inspired by nature and coastal wildlife.

• Fairoozan — a paper artist and illustrator who transforms paper quilling into vibrant contemporary artworks. Combining her background in painting with meticulously layered paper forms, she produces pieces filled with movement, color, and pattern.

• Robin Hippel — a ceramic artist whose one-of-a-kind forms balance functionality with sculptural design. Drawing inspiration from nature, movement, and music, she alters wheel-thrown porcelain forms with textured slabs, distinctive handles, and expressive surface details.

Together, the artists of By the Sea present a collection that reflects the natural beauty, movement, and atmosphere of coastal life through contemporary fine craft.

Opening Reception: • Friday, July 3 from 5pm to 8pm • Location: Charleston Crafts Gallery, 140 D East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401 • Admission: Free • Light refreshments will be served

The exhibition will be on view throughout the month of July during regular gallery hours.

About Charleston Crafts Gallery: Founded in 1989, Charleston Crafts Gallery is one of Charleston’s oldest artist-operated cooperatives, featuring fine craft across multiple mediums, including jewelry, ceramics, glass, fiber, wood, and mixed media. The gallery is dedicated to supporting working artists while offering visitors an authentic connection to Charleston’s vibrant creative community.

Location: 140 D East Bay Street Charleston, SC 29401 Open daily from 10am to 6pm Free admission

For more information and artist profiles, please contact us at 843-501-7522 or charlestoncraftsgallery@gmail.com, or visit www.charlestoncraftsgallery.com.