© 2003, Rotary Club of Charleston

P.O. Box 21029
Charleston, SC 29413-1029

Club secretary:
Carroll Schweers
chasrot@comcast.net

Betsy Fleming "invigorates" the Gibbes
Museum's executive director excites community about art

SEPT. 30, 2003 — Rotarian Betsy Fleming shared her enthusiasm about the arts with Rotarians at our last meeting. A South Carolina native who left the state for educational stops at Harvard and Yale, Fleming returned to Charleston to become the Executive Director of the Gibbes Museum of Arts thirteen months ago.

The Gibbes was founded in 1858, making it the oldest fine arts institution in South Carolina. It serves not only as a repository of art but also a "catalyst" to inspire artistic expression, according to Fleming.

Fleming recounted how the early years at the Gibbes were "not exciting" ones due to the museum having few collections, activities or members. It took the hard work and "bold measures" of a Rotarian, Thomas Richard Waring, many decades ago to "jump start" the Gibbes, said Fleming.

Today the Gibbes has approximately 3100 members and more than 10,000 works of art on display. Fleming says that the Gibbes houses more works reflecting Charleston's history than any other entity in the City, and thus it has particular historical significance for all of us. Additionally, it is among the top four art museums in the nation in the category of miniature portraits.

Not only is the Gibbes a place to view art, but it is also a place to learn art - through the many educational programs offered by Fleming and her staff. Among other programs, the Gibbes offers "Arts to Go", a program designed to bring art resources and instructors to rural schools, assisted living facilities, and other locations where individuals might not otherwise have access to the arts.

Fleming summed up by saying that the Gibbes "aims to invigorate", and her enthusiasm for the museum certainly is contagious.

-- Amy Jenkins

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