Charleston by Design to Kick Off the 78th Charleston Festival, March 13- April 13

February 27, 2025

3:07 PM

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Historic Charleston Foundation’s much anticipated annual spring festival begins with Charleston by Design. As the kick-off weekend for the Foundation’s largest educational and fundraising event, Charleston by Design is a celebration of preservation inspired design and will spotlight highly sought-after industry experts in the Design in Mind Lecture Series at the historic, Second Presbyterian Church c. 1809.

Highlights of Charleston by Design 2025:

Dara Caponigro, Editor in Chief of FREDERIC, is the 2025 Honorary Co-Chair of Charleston by Design. In addition, Dara will close out the Design in Mind Lecture Series on March 15th alongside Timothy Whealon and Martyn Lawrence Bullard.
2025 Design in Mind Speakers include an all-star lineup: (in order of appearance) Ellie Cullman, Ben Pentreath, Peter Pennoyer, Bobby McAlpine, Dara Caponigro, Tim Whealon, and Martyn Lawrence Bullard.
NEW exclusive events, designed specifically for this fundraising weekend:
- A bespoke tour of the American College of the Building Arts (ACBA) with preservation and behind-the-scenes Lecture on Location
- Specially curated designer-led tours of three, magnificent homes on Charleston’s peninsula, all published for their excellence in interior design
- New for 2025, guests can elevate their weekend with the Charleston by Design Insider Pass, granting access to ALL Design in Mind Lectures, the Opening Night Party at the historic Aiken-Rhett House, c.1820, and more including two exclusive lunches at The Dewberry ONLY for our Insiders and talent.
- Experience the exploration of urban and social awareness in a site-specific art exhibition at the Aiken-Rhett House featuring Shephard Fairey and Tim Hussey. On display for the duration of the month-long festival, Charleston’s native sons will collaborate to create an unique juxtaposition of contemporary art in a preserved “as found” historic space.
Highlights of The Charleston Festival 2025:
- New for 2025, and perfect for Charleston residents, the Camellia Pass includes ALL House & Garden Street Tours, tickets to four performances during the Festival Music Series, ALL Experts at the American Theater lectures and more!
- ART at ARH will present Fragments + Facades, an exclusive Art Exhibit featuring Shepard Fairey, Tim Hussey and Atlanta-based artist, Masud Olufani, curated by Kelly S. Turner and presented by The Dewberry Foundation, March 13 through April 13 at the Aiken-Rhett House.
- Elevated programming promises engaging lectures, one-of-a-kind events and the hallmark of the Foundation’s festival for 78 years, House & Garden Tours.
- An expanded Festival Music Series will include performances by Charlton Singleton’s Honeycomb Jazz Orchestra, Kanika Moore, lead vocalist for Doom Flamingo, debuting a new jazz project, The Plantation Singers, Charleston’s celebrated Gullah-Geechee acapella group and Ann Caldwell performing with the Magnolia Singers at the Aiken-Rhett House.

All tickets are now available online at TheCharlestonFestivalSC.org. All proceeds benefit Historic Charleston Foundation and its mission-driven work.