ARTS ROUNDUP

The Red Party and events at the Gibbes

Red Party at the Old City Jail

The American College of the Building Arts is throwing one heck of a fundraising party this evening at the Old City Jail.

The old jail is actually the college's main campus. Spooky! Many people are unaware that the college is the only one of its kind in the country. The school is dedicated to teaching the traditional building arts -- the kind that our ancestors used to create the magnificent historic buildings we are so proud in Charleston.

The school actually came about after Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The hurricane had damaged much of the city, including many historic buildings. It became apparent that there was a need for artisans skilled in these traditional techniques, so repairing these buildings properly became a problem. Since Charleston isn't the only place where there are historic landmarks that we hope to preserve, the founders of the ACBA (including the late Charleston ironworker Philip Simmons) decided to open one of the few schools in the world that teaches the old trades.

Tonight, they are having a fundraiser, The Red Party masquerade event, at the old jail.

Just in time for Halloween, this elegant, yet spooky affair is sure to be the talk of the town, with tons of masks created by local artist such as Jeff Kopish, Max Miller, Leigh Magar, Mary Edna Fraser, Charles Ailstock, David Boatwright, Kate Stevenson Long, Lese Corrigan, William Bates, Ann Darby Parker, Susan Marlowe, Patrick Pelletier and Kevin

Harrison. The masks were displayed at gallery a few weeks prior, and attendees will be wearing them.

There will be a silent auction with tons of prizes: trips, landscaping services, salon services, a "Summerhouse," which is a timber-framed tent used for outdoor entertaining that was donated by graduates of the ACBA, and more. Also on the silent auction lineup will be amazing of art by some of Charleston's faves: Jill Hooper, Katie Leonard, Janice Rossman and George Davis.

There will be an open bar, red-themed delectables from Carolina Catering and tunes by DJ Arthur Brouthers. Red attire and masks are suggested. Proceeds benefit the ACBA. Tickets are $55 in advance and $65 at the door and are available for purchase online at www.buildingartscollege.us or by calling 577-5245.

'Brian Rutenberg: Tidesongs'

Just last week, the Gibbes Museum of Art presented the exhibition "Brian Rutenberg: Tidesong" in the Main Gallery.

The exhibit, running through January, features abstract landscape paintings, two of which are 13 feet wide, by S.C. native Brian Rutenberg.

"Inspired by the landscape and waterways of his home state, Rutenberg's work combines brilliant color with expressive brushwork to create visually stunning abstract paintings. This exhibition accompanies the release of Brian Rutenberg: The Sensation of Place, the first ever major monograph on the artist's paintings and drawings," says Marla Loftus, director of communications at the Gibbes.

Daufuskie Island: Photographs by Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe

The Gibbes also is showing "Daufuskie Island: Photographs by Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe" in the Rotunda Galleries.

Featuring about 40 black-and-white photographs of individuals, family and work, the exhibition documents the Gullah community on Daufuskie Island from 1977-81.

The artist was given unusual access to the Daufuskie Islanders, and the resulting photographs were documented in the book "Daufuskie Island: A Photographic Essay." Many of these photos are featured in the exhibit.

Moutoussamy-Ashe also will participate in the Women in Art Lecture Series on Nov. 18.

Women in Art Lecture Series, the first three Wednesdays in November

The Gibbes Museum is celebrating the many contributions of women in art with a three-part lecture series slated for Wednesday evenings in November. The Women in Art Lecture Series will explore women in a variety of roles, including artist, model, collector and philanthropist.

A wine and cheese reception will follow each lecture, and a book signing will occur on two of the three evenings at the museum. Women in Art is being offered in partnership with the Center for Women.

The first of the Women in Art series will take place at 6 p.m. Nov. 4 and is titled "Strapless: John Singer Sargent and the Fall of Madame X." Recognized authorities on the artist John Singer Sargent, Warren Adelson and Deborah Davis will explore the artist's relationships with women, including family members, friends, models and the infamous Madame X. Following the lecture, Davis will be available to sign copies of her book.

On Nov. 11, "Women of the Gibbes," a lecture by Mack, will be presented. And on the following Wednesday, Nov. 18, there will be a lecture by Moutoussamy-Ashe (see information above.)

Visit the Gibbes at 135 Meeting St. or online at www.gibbesmuseum.org, or call 722-2706.