SEWE is Back! February 17th-20th

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition takes place every year on President’s Day Weekend here in the Lowcountry. SEWE is a celebration of the great outdoors through wildlife art, live entertainment, and education across the peninsula. This year’s events span over the course of 4 days from February 17th-20th.

As a 501 c 3 non-profit organization, SEWE’s mission is to showcase the nation’s finest 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. 

SEWE welcomes approximately 500 artists, exhibitors, and wildlife experts and 40,000 attendees annually, generating an estimated $50 million in economic impact every year.

Here are some of the General Admission, VIP, and Special Events SEWE has to offer!

General Admission Events

1. Dockdogs Competitions – Watch dogs of all breeds and skill levels compete in water jumping competitions Friday-Sunday. 
2. Copley Fine Art Decoy Exhibit and Auction Preview – Preview and enjoy world-class paintings and fine bird carvings.
3. Sheep and Duck Herding Demos – Where: Brittlebank Park, February 18th, 10:30am-11:00am.
4. Bird of Prey Flight Demos – Where: Marion Square, February 18th, 11:00am-11:30am. Flight demos up close of falcons, eagles, owls, and hawks
5. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary Show – Where: Gaillard Center, February 18th, 11:00am-12:00pm. Up close look at alligators, bobcats, foxes, birds of prey, snakes, and more. 
6. Chef Demo – The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Restort Chef John Ondo demo with sea beans from Heron Farms farmer Sam Norton – Where: Marion Square February 18th, 1:00pm-2:00pm. South Carolina’s most talented chefs pair up with their favorite local farmers for a weekend of tastings for the Lowcountry’s food-lovers. 
7. Orvis Fly Fishing Demonstration – Where: Brittlebank Park February 18th, 1:30pm-2:00pm.
8. Jeff Corwin: Live Animal Show – Jeff Corwin, host and executive producer of Ocean Mysteries on ABC, is famously recognized as a global leader in exploration and conservation. He will have a first come first serve live presentation at the Gaillard Center February 18th, 2:00pm-3:00pm.

VIP Events

1. Private Preview Afternoon – Where: Charleston Place February 17th, 1:00pm-5:00pm. Purchase your favorite piece of art at the Private Preview Afternoon presented by Audubon South Carolina. Before SEWE opens to the public, you’ll already have insider access to preview and purchase original art inside the Fine Art Gallery.
2. Signature Gala & Sale – Where: Charleston Place, February 17th at 7:00pm-11:00pm. The black-tie event, features a visit from exotic animals, a live art auction, wild fare, and an open bar. Join in on the fun, mix and mingle with other VIPs and meet SEWE artists in the Fine Art Gallery at Charleston Place. 
3. SEWE Soiree – Where: Charleston Visitor Center, February 19th, 7:00pm-11:00pm. What: A live band and oyster roast with classic southern cuisine, barbeque and wild game, and open bar.

Special Events

1. Charleston Safari Club Annual Gala – Where: The Harbour Club at Westedge Feb 16th 6:00pm-11:00pm. What: Benefitting Charleston Safari Club’s Youth Outdoor Education Camp. Safari attire encouraged!
2. SCWA Annual Sportsman’s Ball – Where: The Omar Shrine Temple February 18th 6:00pm. What: Enjoy a live auction, silent auction, raffles, drinks, and food!
3. Ducks Unlimited Oyster Roast & Lowcountry Cookout – Where: Charleston Visitor Center Bus Shed February 18th, 6:30pm-10:30pm. What: Open bar, music, raffles, live and silent auctions, as well as 2022 membership to Ducks Unlimited. 
4. Birds of a Feather Ladies Brunch Benefit – Where: Hotel Emeline February 19th, 10:00am-2:00pm. What: A 3-course lunch and all-inclusive bar service with a Fords Gin Martini Fountain, live auction, and raffle. 
   
   Enjoy a wide array of entertainment, including a live painting by SEWE artist Carrie Penley, table prizes by SEWE exhibitor Tropical Tapestry, music from local DJ B, and special appearances by some of SEWE’s feathered friends. Proceeds will directly support Rhino Momma Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and regrowing the rhino population. 
5. Combing the Caw Caw Wilderness – Where: Caw Caw Interpretive Center, February 19th 1:30pm-3:30pm. What: Explore South Carolina Lowcountry habitats that are known for their beauty and wildlife.
   
   Join a naturalist to explore a cypress/tupelo swamp, freshwater marsh, saltwater marsh, and bottomland hardwood forest. Eagles, turkeys, otters, waterfowl, and more are often observed from the trails at Caw Caw. There’s no better way to learn about the wilds of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
6. Cocktails & Conservation with Garden & Gun – Where: Garden & Gun Headquarters February 19th, 2:00pm-4:00pm. What: CJ Lotz G&G senior editor and Kelly S. Turner curator and artistic director of G&G’s exhibition Birdwatching, sit down with South Carolina author, poet, and ornithologist J. Drew Lanham to discuss his approach to birding, its connections to history and race, as well as his role in the exhibition, which incorporates written and recorded portions of his original poetry.
   
   Cocktails will be served during the event, and following the conversation, guests are invited to shop a limited collection of fine sporting and outdoor goods.
7. SCWA Annual Duck Shuck Oyster Roast – Where: The Omar Shrine Temple, February 19th 6:00pm-10:00pm. What: Live music, silent auctions, raffles and steamed oysters! 
8. 2022 Lowcountry Social – Where: Brittlebank Park February 19th, 7:30pm-10:30pm. What: Enjoy local oysters and BBQ from renowned pit masters, bluegrass music by the fire, and open bar. Each guest will be entered to win exclusive outdoor prizes from SEWE partners throughout the evening. 
9. Paw Party on the Patio at Republic Garden & Lounge – Where: Republic Garden & Lounge, February 20th 12:00pm-6:00pm. What: Pet Helpers paw party. 

You Can Purchase General Admission, Vip, or Special Events Tickets at These Locations: 

Downtown

The Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun Street (Monday-Friday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.) Charleston Visitors Center, 375 Meeting Street (Daily, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.)

Mt. Pleasant

Town of Mount Pleasant Visitors Center, 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd in the New Mt Pleasant Waterfront Park (Daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.)

Kiawah Island

Kiawah Visitors Center, Town Hall, 200 Beachwalker Drive (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

North Charleston

North Charleston Visitors Center/American LaFrance Fire Museum, 4975-B Centre Point Drive (Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

You may also purchase tickets on-site, during SEWE 2022, at the following locations:

• Brittlebank Park
• Charleston Place Hotel
• Gaillard Center
• Marion Square

For more information regarding SEWE visit their web page here!