The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has announced provisional plans for its 39th annual celebration of wildlife art and the great outdoors taking place in downtown Charleston from February 11th to 14th, 2021. All tickets, including VIP packages, general admission passes, and special events, are now available for purchase.
In preparation for the 2021 event, SEWE organizers say they are working in tandem with the City of Charleston and meeting regularly with local and state public agencies. On-site plans for the event are evolving as regulations continue to change, but organizers say safety remains the top priority. They said they will modify the event for the comfort and safety of attendees by reducing their footprint, limiting attendance, and introducing a new ticket structure.
“Even during these times of uncertainty, there is a spirit among SEWE that calls upon us to aim for an event in 2021,” John Powell, Executive Director of SEWE, said. “For nearly 40 years, SEWE has brought us together on Presidents' Day Weekend and we are committed to continuing these traditions next year. Planning during these uncertain times in our world has not been without its challenges, but the SEWE team is optimistic about our event's future. As we earnestly move forward with preparations for next year, we also recognize the possibility that we may be facing different circumstances in 2021. We will continue on with our plans for February, but want to assure you that public health and safety will take precedence.”
SEWE will host its event at two major exhibit sites in 2021 – Brittlebank Park and the Charleston Marriott. Brittlebank Park will present sporting guides and outfitters, DockDogs® competitions, canine demonstrations from herding and retrieving breeds, conservation organizations, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture tent, and more. The Charleston Marriott will house the Fine Art Gallery and its artists, as well as a curated exhibit of artisans and craftsmen that embody the SEWE lifestyle.
For the first time in SEWE history, the event will implement daily attendance limits, selling 25 percent of its typical capacity for general admission tickets and VIP packages. A reduction and cap in attendance for 2021 will allow SEWE to follow social distancing guidelines and monitor crowds. Given the reduction in attendance and exhibit sites, and the proximity of Brittlebank Park and the Charleston Marriott, SEWE will be suspending its transportation and shuttle system in 2021.
General admission tickets (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) will be sold for $35 and will include access to all SEWE venues, entry to live demonstrations and entertainment, and free admission for kids (no advance registration required).
Tickets for SEWE 2021 will be sold exclusively online at sewe.com. Patrons who use promo code SEWE2021 before January 11, 2021 will receive 20 percent off general admission tickets. New information regarding ticket types and policies can also be found on the SEWE website.
Local Charleston artist Mark Kelvin Horton has been named the SEWE Featured Artist for the 2021 event. According to SEWE, Horton is “known for his unique paintings of Lowcountry landscapes” and he “represents the heart and soul of southern life in each of his pieces. He paints beyond a literal interpretation of a scene to portray nature in a way that reflects his own ideas and sensibilities, while capturing the authentic beauty and essence of the moments that inspire him. His piece, Onward, has been selected as the Featured Painting and subject of the Official SEWE 2021 Poster.”
SEWE is recognized as a premier wildlife art show and the kickoff event for Charleston's tourism season. The nonprofit organization's mission is to “showcase the finest in wildlife art, create awareness for the conservation of wildlife and the environment, positively influence wildlife and nature education and impact the local and statewide economies through increased tourism.”
For more information on the event, visit sewe.com.
