Presents
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Attention Charleston Creatives: Showcase your talent!
Charleston magazine wants to celebrate our city’s growing community of artists, creators, musicians, and entrepreneurs. Find out how we can help promote your talent, product, or creative business to Charleston magazine’s 75,000 readers and 250,000 followers. AT NO COST TO YOU¹.
¹Please see Modification Clause in our Terms and Conditions for further detail
Meet these talented local makers:
Meet Alicia
“As an artist deeply inspired by Charleston’s charm, I create works that blend architectural elegance, coastal beauty, and vibrant color to evoke joy, nostalgia, and connection. My journey began with hand-drawn pen-and-ink illustrations of the city’s historic gates—capturing their intricate ironwork and timeless symmetry.”
– Alicia Colella, artist
Meet Anna
“I like to create things that make people laugh or smile. I don’t make classic art that would be in a traditional museum. My most popular print is of Waffle House; everyone has a Waffle House story. Two strangers can look at it and feel the same nostalgia. That’s really important.”
– Anna Chen, watercolor collage artist & teacher
Meet Capers
“I’ve always been a hands on kind of person. I’ve never been one to sit behind a desk. Part of me has to be interacting physically with what I’m doing and I always figured why not try this? Because if a person’s doing it, well I’m a person, maybe I can do it.”
– Capers Cauthen, craftsman & owner of Landrum Tables
Meet Daniela
“I moved to the United States alone at the age of 17, leaving behind my family, culture, and everything familiar in pursuit of a better future not only for myself, but for my loved ones. When I arrived in Charleston, I immediately fell in love with the city’s unique charm and felt an overwhelming sense of belonging. While earning my Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from the College of Charleston, I launched my business in 2020.”
– Daniela Salgado, artist
Meet Kaminer
“Through my silversmithing, I seek to enhance daily life by creating functional handcrafted objects that give a nod to the past but are entirely contemporary in form. I am inspired by the concept of enhancing domestic rituals through traditional metalworking techniques coupled with an innovative approach to design and production.”
– Kaminer Haislip, silversmith
Meet Kirsten
“I like to make photographs that don’t look like photographs. I usually print my images on silk organza and combine them with photos on paper in 3-D shadowboxes or mount them over mirrors. My favorite comment I get from visitors to my studio at Redux is ‘I’ve never seen anything like this.’”
– Kirsten Hoving, artist
Meet Nathan
“I play guitar and harmonica, but my first instrument was a trumpet, so when I started recording, I would grab whatever instrument was around. It’s similar to how I paint; building up layers to present more of a story.”
– Nathan Edwin McClements, artist & singer-songwriter
Meet Nicholas
“I feel like I’ve always been a creative. I’ve always been inspired through fashion. Growing up, my grandparents taught me how to embroider and sew on buttons.”
– Nicholas Overstreet, designer & owner of Boysterous Couture
Meet Quintin
“Hello I’m Quintin Middleton and I’m a blade smith. Not just any blade smith, I make kitchen cutlery for professional chefs and home cooks.”
– Quintin Middleton, bladesmith
Meet Sean
“I am a Sculptural Blacksmith working out of a workshop in Awendaw SC. I use traditional forging techniques and modern fabrication to create nature based sculpture, with a real affinity for marine life. I focus on fine detail and 3 dimensionality to bring my creatures to life.”
– Sean Berube, blacksmith
Meet Scott
“I am a Charleston maker because I’m my art and what I create is completely unique and different then what most Charleston artists offer. I bring a lot of color, and elements to my pieces.”
– Scott Truman, artist
Meet Sophia
“Willamere was founded around the idea of slow living — celebrating the small, meaningful moments that happen in the kitchen and around the table. I hand-draw each print, inspired by Charleston’s beauty — from camellias in bloom to coastal hues and moss-covered oaks. These designs are printed on organic cotton and linen, then sewn into heirloom-quality kitchen textiles.”
– Sophia Phillips, textiles
Meet Aaron
“When I was growing up in McClellanville I was surrounded by carpenters, fishermen, teachers, and artists. Many individuals fell into two or three of these categories, and it seemed as though everyone made stuff. At a young age, I had art materials, access to tools, and very few constraints from my parents. Since that time, I’ve been a maker. I love solving technical problems. I love solving aesthetic problems.”
– Aaron Baldwin, artist
Meet Allison
“I’ve lived in Charleston my whole life and have always dreamed of sharing stories with not only my city, but the world. Often times I see Charleston authors focus directly on stories based in their city and I wanted to break away from that and wrote dark fantasy tales that are out of this world and in the next. I’m an advocate for local libraries and indie bookstores. Books are important and it’s been wonderful not only seeing the love for reading to be revived in the city, but to be apart of its growth.”
– Allison Paige, writer
Meet Anna
“I’m a female veteran entrepreneur who built my private chef business from the ground up right here in Charleston. I serve the entire Lowcountry, creating unforgettable dining experiences that turn any space into a personalized, elevated event. Charleston is my home base, my inspiration, and the community I proudly serve with every dish and display I create.”
– Anna Choiniere, private chef
Meet Anna
“Anna Stare is the Founder and CEO of Stareworthy Custom Children’s Books, a Charleston, SC-based custom children’s book company that artfully infuses your treasured family photos into meaningful books to make your loved ones the center of the narrative. Stemming from a lifelong passion for capturing family moments and supported by her seven years of professional photography experience, in 2020, Anna began creating custom gifts for her nieces and nephews using the photographs she had captured of them over the years. The goal was to create something not only special for them but truly meaningful for the whole family, that simultaneously aided in the little ones’ learning of the world around them and their unique place in it. After these precious gifts were so well-received, she was inspired to grow her humble passion project into a nationwide operation in 2024. Using research from leading figures in early childhood development, Anna is the creative force behind Stareworthy’s precious stories and rhymes designed to enhance a young child’s reading experience, all while honoring the original purpose of creating a one-of-a-kind, purposeful gift. Anna’s mission is to strengthen connections between loved ones and inspire an aptitude for learning and adventure, which she keeps close to her heart as she continues to innovate purposeful, priceless offerings from Stareworthy.”
– Anna Stare, publishing
Meet Grace
“Grace McNally is a Charleston-based composer, musician, and podcast host whose work explores cultural and human connection through music. She is the creator and host of Travel Notes, a radio show and podcast that airs on Ohm Radio 96.3FM—Charleston’s independent, commercial-free station—and reaches listeners around the world. With a background in classical guitar, Grace now composes for multi-instrumental ensembles, drawing inspiration from themes of place, identity, and cultural storytelling, particularly rooted in the American South. Beyond her creative work, she is passionate about arts leadership and community engagement, with experience in nonprofit leadership and mentoring others through challenges such as performance anxiety, imposter syndrome, and representation in the arts. As of 2025, she also serves as the Communications & Marketing Manager at Charleston Jazz, where she leads community engagement and arts advocacy through storytelling.”
– Grace McNally, musician
Meet Ginn
“I born in Colombia, South America, and I moved to USA since 11 years ago because I got married with an American (I called him Mi Gringo Hermoso) I never had the “American dream” desire, but I believe God lead my life and He knew what was the best for me and my daughters. ”
– Ginn Ingrid, arts/crafts
Meet Gret
“I create large scale map paintings using google earth. This focus was initially inspired by the waterways and patterns found in aerial images of the lowcountry. In 2022 I was awarded the Griffith-Reyburn Lowcountry Artist of the Year Award (and grant.) I had a studio for years at Redux Contemporary Art Center but now work out of a studio behind my house in West Ashley.”
– Gret Mackintosh, artist
Meet Kelly
“I create textile designs on James Island using machine embroidery as my medium. My designs, often inspired by vintage cocktail culture, are playful, a bit cheeky and often have Southern undertones. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work is not just a functional item, but a meaningful keepsake too. ”
– Kelly McDonald, embroiderist
Meet Kyle
“I am a woodturner, focusing on bowls, vases, and boards in Charleston, SC. I practice sustainable wood harvesting as all my wood comes from local felled trees from storm damage or removal. I draw my inspiration from nature and believe in sourcing my material responsibly. My desire is to create a truly one of a kind piece through locally sourced trees, bringing a piece of Charleston into your home.”
– Kyle Walsh, woodturner
Meet Marylin
“My journey to becoming a Charleston maker has been anything but conventional. I began in med school in Colombia, deeply committed to helping others, but after moving to the U.S. in 2016, life rerouted in the most beautiful way. Now a stay-at-home mom, homeschooler, and self-taught artist. I’ve found purpose in creating meaningful, personal artwork that celebrates home, memory, and connection. Through hand-painted house and pet portraits—and whimsical children’s book illustrations—I strive to capture the soul of a place, the spirit of a beloved companion, or the wonder of a storybook world. Inspired by Charleston’s charm, history, and vibrant creative community, I’m proud to be part of a city where makers are celebrated and stories are honored through art.”
– Marylin Hoffman, artist
Meet Michelle
“What makes me a Charleston Maker is my creativity that shows through my art and makes people happy. I love to see a smile on someone’s face that looks at my art and says “wow, how fun”. Hence: fun art not fine art!”
– Michelle Kingsberry, Lawanda’s Creations, artist
Meet Missy
“My surf / beach style art shares my fave Charleston, animals, sea life, coast themes as well as slingin’ the coast vibes across my local coast / surf brand Black Octopus Mercantile. I blend the love of coast and ocean into my unique funky style of tattooed animals, beach, Lowcountry scenes, sea life and the coast lifestyle.”
– Missy Johnson, Black Octopus Merchantile, textiles
