It's 'Ars Gratia Artis' on Charleston’s Broad Street!
February 08, 2010
There are many aspects of downtown life that make Charleston SC unique among American cities. The vitality of Broad Street – both night and day – is one example.
Unlike a lot of cities, where the financial/government district is bustling by day and utterly deserted by night, Charleston breaks the mold. After 5pm the lawyers, bureaucrats and financial advisors head for the hills (which is hilarious, because Charleston doesn’t have any hills.) Suddenly the atmosphere of Broad Street transforms from staid and stuffy to artsy and fartsy.
There is a modest selection of retail, lodging and dining on Broad Street, but the area is known chiefly as Charleston’s Gallery District. A popular activity is the periodic Art Walk. Held four times annually - and coming up in March - the Art Walk is a celebration of creativity, wine, cheese and…uh…walking. More details to come.
Anyway, here is a Google-eye view of retail, dining and artistic life on Charleston’s Broad Street. (Bonus unnecessary Latin trivia! Fans of the MGM lion should know that Ars Gratia Artis means “art for art’s sake.” You’re welcome.)
Broad Street Art Galleries
Richardson Ella Walton Fine ArtScoop Studios
Doyle Gallery
Spencer Art Gallery
Charleston Art Tours
Bernie Horton Gallery
Mary Martin Fine Art Gallery
Edward Dare Gallery
Coco Vivo Fine Art and Design
Martin Gallery
Hamlet Gallery
Ellis Nicholson Gallery
East Bay Garden Gallery (nearby on East Bay Street)
Eva Carter Gallery (nearby on East Bay Street)
Broad Street Dining
Broad Street Market and CafeGaulart & Maliclet French Cafe
Oak Steakhouse
Carolina's Restaurant (nearby on Exchange Street)
Fuschia Tea Emporium (nearby on Church Street)
Broad Street Retail
Cabbage Row Shoppe (crafts)The Boutique (gifts)
Saints Alive Book & Gift Store
RSVP Shoppe (cards and stationery)
Broad Street Barber Shop
The Tavern (wine and spirits - nearby on East Bay Street)
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