April 2, 2025

Dear Gibbes Women’s Council members,

It’s springtime in Charleston once again and with it comes so many exciting opportunities to explore beautiful homes, gardens and artistic, cultural exhibitions. You could fill your calendar every day and never run out of places to explore and events to experience. Springtime also heralds our very own Art Charleston, the Gibbes week-long visual arts festival, now in its fourth year. With it brings our annual GWC fundraiser, the Art of Design Luncheon, April 23. As every year past, this year’s luncheon is much anticipated—and sold out! The AOD committee, led by Betty Anne Wilson and Robyn Stern, has once again worked tirelessly to organize the luncheon and fundraise for the Gibbes. 

2025 also is a momentous year as it is the 75^th anniversary year of the Gibbes Women’s Council. I often think about the founding members who organized their time, talents and resources to prepare events and fundraisers. These ladies with their white gloves and fashionable hats were probably as determined and talented as our current members and they did all their tasks without email and the internet! They typed their newsletters on typewriters, used the US post/snail mail and made phone calls from their landlines, all for the common goal of supporting the Gibbes Museum of Art. So much has changed in 75 years but some things have not. We are still a group of fantastically talented and motivated women, eager to help and share our talents and resources for a common cause- to support the Gibbes and share our love of art. 

The 75^th GWC celebration event will be held on May 7^th at the Gibbes and will be the culmination of two years of planning from our past president, Sonja Golinski and our Programs Committee, led by Cara Schaafsma and Deirdre McMurtry. You won’t want to miss this exceptional occasion, which will feature photos and memorabilia from years past, delicious food and beverages, some special surprises, and a chance to celebrate this wonderful organization of women!

I will look forward to experiencing these special events with you and am thankful that you continue to stay involved with the GWC, making it such a successful organization. We are always excited to welcome new members and share all that the Gibbes and the Women’s Council has to offer!

Fondly,

Whitney Jones

GWC President

gibbeswomenscouncil@gmail.com

In January, GWC members gathered at the beautiful Circular Church where a packed house heard Brittany Lavelle Tulla, owner of BVL Historic Preservation Research, talk about the mission of her company: to bring new life and a story to some of Charleston’s most treasured buildings. Her knowledge and passion were mesmerizing. Going to the Starlight Lounge is now on all of our “to do” lists!

In March, GWC members toured Wimbee Creek Farms, named for the Native American Wimbee tribe that lived, hunted and fished in the area (now Seabrook) for more than 150 years. Owner Maria Baldwin led our group on a tour of the historic farm, its greenhouses already in bloom with flowers and its fields full of herbs and other vegetation. Maria and her staff invited us to use our imagination as we were guided through hands-on projects that involved flowers, gourds, wreaths and more. A magnificent luncheon was enjoyed under that sunny sky and Wimbee’s signature grand oak tree. 

The Art of Design luncheon, which is the kick-off event for Art Charleston, is officially sold out!!

We are excited to welcome our keynote speaker, Nell Diamond, founder and owner of Hill House and the inventor of the Nap dress. On April 22, Nell will attend the Sponsor Party. She will speak at the April 23 luncheon, joined on stage by moderator Alexandra Macon, owner of Over the Moon, an e-commerce lifestyle company for brides and grooms.

Look for an email that will allow for advanced purchases of tickets for four exciting raffle packages. They will also be available at the luncheon. PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST BE PRESENT AT THE LUNCHEON TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN A RAFFLE PACKAGE.