Above photos by MCG Photography

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

December 17, 2024


Season’s greetings fellow Gibbes Women’s Council (GWC) members and friends!


Christmas in Charleston is a season to behold – hotels, historical homes, restaurants and streets all decked out in their festive holiday décor. The Gibbes recently hosted its holiday market with more than 20 vendors offering their artistic wares to much fanfare! It was an excellent opportunity to do some gift shopping and explore the Gibbes. This time of year is also an opportunity to be thankful, and I thank each one of you for your continued support and involvement with the Gibbes Museum of Art. We are grateful that you share your time and talents with us.


The GWC recently held its annual Holiday party hosted by Megan and Mark Waligora in their beautiful downtown home. It was a festive evening filled with delicious food, beautiful decorations and holiday cheer. A heartfelt thank you to Lucy Schemel, Cara Schaafsma, Deirdre McMurtry and their Programs Committee volunteers for planning and bringing such a wonderful evening to life.


Our next GWC Membership meeting will be held Wednesday, January 8 at the Gibbes, featuring Brittany V. Lavelle Tulla, local architectural historian and founder of BVL Historic Preservation Research. Mrs. Tulla will share her findings and stories of historic properties, their history and the people who inhabited them. Make sure to register (and bring a friend) for this fascinating discussion as we hear these intricately researched stories and histories come to life.


Looking forward to the new year, we are planning an engaging and delightful tour of Wimbee Flower farm in Seabrook on March 29 and our famous Art of Design luncheon on April 23. The Art of Design luncheon is our primary GWC fundraiser, so make sure to secure your spot with a sponsorship of this stylish and historically sold-out event.


Wishing each of you a joyous and festive holiday season!


Best,



Whitney Jones

GWC President

gibbeswomenscouncil@gmail.com

Photo by MCG Photography

CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED WEBSITE AT: gibbesmuseum.org/womens-council/.

For your convenience, the Gibbes website has been updated to provide quicker access and more up-to-date information for the Women’s Council. A new landing page permits a simplified way to join, renew, learn about events and all the latest news that’s important to members. GWC members need only click on the above link, enter the username GibbesWC, then password GWC135. 

AND LOOK FOR US at Gibbes Women's Council ON FACEBOOK

HOLIDAY PARTY A FESTIVE DELIGHT

Dierdre McMurtry and Cara Schaafsma, Programs Co-chairs; photo by MCG Photography

The GWC ended the year on a truly festive note. On Sunday, December 15, a crowd of approximately 100 members and significant others gathered at 8 Gadson Street, the beautiful home of Megan and Mark Waligora, decked out in true Southern holiday style. The food was plentiful, the drinks were flowing and the gowns were gorgeous, as you can see from the photos above. As a special treat, we were entertained by the piano playing of Charleston Jazz Orchestra's pianist Gerald Gregory.

SAVE THE DATE

January 8 New Member reception 4:00-6:00pm at the Gibbes


March 26 Tour of Wimbee Farm More information to come


May 7 75th Anniversary Celebration 5:30-8:00pm at the Gibbes

MARK YOUR CALENDARS, CHOOSE YOUR SPONSORSHIP LEVEL FOR ART OF DESIGN APRIL 23, 2025

Nell Diamond, Founder and CEO of Hill House Home

Photo by Zac Frackelto

Betty Anne Wilson and Robyn Stern, AOD Co-chairs; photo by MCG Photography

AOD is delighted to announce that Nell Diamond, founder and CEO of Hill House Home, will be the guest speaker for the Art of Design luncheon on April 23, 2025. Ms. Diamond’s company went viral in 2019 with the launch of her cult-favorite product, the Nap Dress which helped her develop a hyper loyal and actively engaged customer base. Nell has been named to Inc Magazine's Female Founder 250 list. The Charleston Hill House store will celebrate is first anniversary while she is in Charleston.


We look forward to a fabulous afternoon luncheon, which will include another great raffle. It’s time to purchase a sponsorship to ensure your ticket, as we anticipate another sell-out year for the luncheon. Sponsorships start at $600 for one person and $1,200 for two people. In addition to the luncheon, a sponsorship entitles you to a ticket (or tickets) to the sponsor party the evening before, where you will meet Ms. Diamond and enjoy wonderful food and drinks. For more information on the multiple sponsorship levels and to reserve your sponsorship email sponsorship@GibbesMuseum.org.

75th ANNIVERSARY PARTY

MEET THE GWC'S NEWEST MEMBERS

Kelly Ghom joined the Gibbes Women’s Council in September and Jane VanDusen joined in December. Welcome Kelly and Jane!

WOMEN'S COUNCIL BOARD

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE


President | Whitney Jones

Vice President | Ronni Sarmanian

Secretary | Liane Kerr

Treasurer | Michele Costanzo

Governance | Martha Waggoner

Governance Co-Chair | Lindy Carter

STANDING COMMITTEES


Communications Chair | Peggy Malaspina

Art of Design Co-Chair | Betty Ann Wilson

Art of Design Co-Chair | Robyn Stern

Membership Chair | Melissa Efird

Programs Co-Chair | Deirdre McMurtry

Programs Co-Chair | Cara Schaafsma

Past President | Sonja Golinski

Contact the Board at GibbesWomensCouncil@gmail.com
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