Written by Palmetto Bluff
Feb 02, 2026
There’s a particular kind of quiet that settles over a workshop studio in the early morning; the kind where you can hear brushes moving across canvas, hands shaping clay, and the occasional murmur of discovery. This is what the Artist in Residence program at Palmetto Bluff has always been about: bringing working artists to the Bluff to share their craft with others.
For 2026, nine extraordinary artists will take up residence here, from February through December, each transforming FLOW Gallery + Workshop into their temporary studio. The lineup includes sculptors, oil painters, a jeweler, a mixologist, a singer-songwriter, and a papier-mache artist. If you’ve been meaning to experience the arts programming at Palmetto Bluff, this is your year.
The Artist in Residence program is part of The Arts Initiative at Palmetto Bluff. Each month, a new artist arrives for a three- to four-day residency that includes hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, and intimate gatherings. These workshops are open to everyone, including residents, guests, and the greater Lowcountry community, celebrating artistry in all forms and the shared joy of discovery.
Charleston-based painter Mary Benson discovered her love of art by painting alongside her sister, a joy that continues to shape her vibrant, expressive style. Influenced by Post-Impressionism and Fauvism, she creates stained-glass-inspired paintings that celebrate the beauty of the natural world through layered texture and luminous color.
– Lowcountry Marsh Acrylic Workshop | February 19, 1-3 PM | $90
– Welcome Reception | February 20, 4-5:30 PM | Complimentary
– Live Oaks Acrylic Workshop | February 21, 10-12 PM | $90
Wilson Wildlife Sculptor founder Chris Wilson has earned over 100 Best in Show awards over four decades, transforming wood and clay into lifelike wildlife. With an MFA from Georgia State University, he is celebrated for the precision, movement, and reverence for nature in his sculptures.
– Feathers in Flight Woodcarving & Sculpture Workshop | March 18, 10-12 PM | $100
– Woodcarving Demonstration | March 19 | Complimentary as part of SEWE at the Bluff Weekend
– Painting & Finishing Techniques for Carved Birds & Other Critters | March 20, 2-4 PM | $100
Texas jeweler Maureen Donohue Grable discovered her passion for jewelry as a child exploring her mother’s collection. In 2004, she transformed that childhood love into the M Donohue Collection, creating timeless, wearable pieces that reflect elegance, uniqueness, and personal expression.
– Welcome Reception | April 22, 4-5:30 PM | Complimentary
– Intro to Earring Making: Wireworking & Design Techniques | April 23, 1-3 PM | $90
– Create Your Own Bracelet: Techniques in Nantucket Weaving | April 24, 2-4 PM | $100
– Create Your Own Necklace: Materials, Methods & Aesthetics | April 25, 10-12 PM | $120
James Beard-recognized mixologist Tiffanie Barriere, “The Drinking Coach,” explores cocktail history through hands-on technique. Her work celebrates the history, culture, and craft of cocktails with a focus on equity, education, and community.
– Welcome Reception | May 6, 4-5:30 PM | Complimentary
– Cinco de Derby: Spirits of Celebration | May 7, 1-3 PM | $100
– Garden to Glass: Southern Botanicals and Agave Magic | May 8, 2-4 PM | $100
– Heritage in a Highball: Cocktails that Tell a Story | May 9, 10-12 PM | $120
Singer-songwriter Grace Miller Moody first gained national attention on The Voice, where all four judges turned their chairs for her rendition of “Sunday Morning.” Inspired by Stevie Nicks and Amy Winehouse, she channels raw emotion and storytelling into soulful performances that captivate audiences.
– June 5, 7:00 to 8:30 PM
New Orleans artist Annie Moran was born and raised in Louisiana, where the natural surroundings shaped her imagination. After 12 years as a fashion designer, she focused on watercolor painting, mural art, wallpaper, and textile design, celebrating Gulf Coast landscapes.
– Welcome Reception | September 9, 4-5:30 PM | Complimentary
– Nature Journaling | September 10, 10-12 PM | $90
– Step-by-Step Floral Watercolors | September 12, 10-12 PM | $90
Louisiana oil painter Brandon Finnorn earned a medical degree before dedicating himself fully to art in 2017. Drawing inspiration from underwater photography, he captures Gulf Coast wildlife in vibrant, detailed paintings featured in We Are Fly Fishing and Mobile Bay Magazine.
– Welcome Reception | October 14, 4-5:30 PM | Complimentary
– Bird Painting Workshop | October 15, 1-4 PM | $100
– Fish Painting Workshop | October 16, 1-4 PM | $100
Houston-based artist Rachel Gardner creates hauntingly playful papier-mâché sculptures inspired by nature. A professor with an MFA, she transitioned from painting to sculpture, developing techniques that blend detailed painting with three-dimensional form.
– Welcome Reception | November 4, 4-5:30 PM | Complimentary
– Papier-Mâché Birds | November 5, 10-1 PM | $100
– Beyond the Brush: Creating with Nature’s Tools | November 6, 2-4 PM | $90
– Papier-Mâché Holiday Ornaments | November 7, 10-1 PM | $80
Maria Baldwin of Wimbee Creek Farm creates elegant floral designs rooted in land once home to the Wimbee people and cultivated for centuries. Her signature work is lush, artful, and deeply connected to place, celebrating the beauty and history that define her Lowcountry farm.
– Welcome Reception | December 2, 4-5:30 PM | Complimentary
– Winter Wreathmaking Workshop | December 3, 1-4 PM | $120
– Evergreen Garland Making | December 4, 1-4 PM | $120
– Seasonal Centerpiece Workshop | December 5, 10-12 PM | $100
Most workshops run for two to three hours and are kept small, usually with eight to twelve participants. You’ll have your own workspace, materials, and direct access to the artist. The artists provide everything you need, from paints and canvases to specialty cocktail ingredients.
You don’t need any prior experience to join these workshops. The artists are remarkably good at meeting you where you are—offering different challenges based on skill level. Most sessions result in something tangible you’ll take home, but you’ll really be leaving with a new skill, a shift in perspective, and a fond memory.
Ticket purchases are through Palmetto Bluff TicketBud. Spots fill quickly, especially for hands-on sessions, so register early. Prices vary by workshop and are subject to a 48-hour cancellation policy. Many artists also host informal studio hours where you can stop by, watch them work, and ask questions without committing to a full workshop. These drop-in sessions are usually listed on individual artist pages.
The Artist in Residence program sits within a larger cultural ecosystem. FLOW Gallery maintains rotating exhibitions alongside the residences. The Arts Initiative extends into music, lectures, and interdisciplinary programming throughout the year.
Browse the full 2026 workshop calendar and register early. You’ll remember the techniques the artist showed you, but also the conversations, the warmth, and the quiet satisfaction of creativity. If you find yourself lingering after your workshop ends, we’d be glad to show you what life at Palmetto Bluff looks like.
