A longtime Charleston artist has opened a new gallery space in the city's East Side neighborhood with a mission to provide opportunities for artists who traditionally lack access to fine art venues. Arun Drummond, a 47-year-old multidisciplinary folk artist, launched the Drummond Studio Gallery at 12 Line Street, positioning it as an inclusive space where all artists can showcase their work regardless of their background or previous gallery experience.
The gallery, located next to City Light Eastside coffee shop, serves a dual purpose as both a working studio space and exhibition venue. Drummond decided late last year that he needed a larger studio space, but his vision expanded beyond personal needs to encompass a broader community mission. "My mission is art, culture and community, and I want everyone to know that this is a space where everyone is welcome – where artists who don't necessarily have a chance to show their work at the fine art galleries or in the museums have an opportunity to tell their stories in our space," Drummond explained.
A South Carolina native raised in the Upstate, Drummond moved to Charleston more than two decades ago and has built his artistic career in the city. His journey into the art world began in 2004 when he started working at Gallery Chuma for renowned Charleston Gullah artist Jonathan Green, among others. This experience aligned Drummond's mission with preserving Gullah-Geechee culture and inspired him to begin painting, starting with abstract art before transitioning to folk art.
Drummond's artistic style has evolved to focus on multimedia pieces that predominantly feature Black figures holding sweetgrass baskets, symbols deeply rooted in Gullah-Geechee tradition. His most recent series, titled "Erasure," deliberately omits the baskets to represent what he describes as the literal erasure of culture occurring in the current climate. "We're losing spaces for art and culture, or they're being compromised," Drummond noted. "I feel like this gallery is something that we need, and I feel like it's my purpose to bring it to the area."
The gallery's inaugural exhibition features the work of Demetrius Bing, a Charleston native whose art will also appear in the final season of the popular Netflix series "Outer Banks." Bing is an abstract artist who channels his emotional trauma into his paintings, addressing topics often considered taboo in African American culture. "For him to be an African American male who talks about emotions and trauma and mental health and these things that are normally taboo, or used to be taboo, in African American culture – I think he's groundbreaking for doing that," Drummond said.
Bing's solo show, titled "Full Spectrum," chronicles his artistic progression over the five years since he began painting. The exhibition explores deeply personal themes, including childhood trauma from sexual assault at age 6 and memories of growing up in a single-mother household in a challenging neighborhood. Bing views his art as cathartic and hopes it will inspire others to embrace vulnerability. "There are a lot of Black artists that, I feel, we do need a space," Bing said. "We need to hear a few more yeses than always a quick no. There's talent in everybody – White, Black, any race, it doesn't matter. Most Black artists feel they're just as good as this other person, but maybe it's because of how I look that I got turned down at a gallery."
Drummond hopes the gallery will particularly resonate with young people living on the East Side, creating an environment where they feel they belong and can see themselves reflected in the artwork. "I hope that people feel like they belong in this space, like they can see themselves reflected in this gallery and that they have a seat at the table," he said. "I hope they see that art is not just for the elite, but accessible." The gallery owner intends to challenge existing systems by primarily featuring Black creatives in both solo and group exhibitions.
The local community has embraced Drummond's vision enthusiastically. Candace Patterson, co-owner of the neighboring City Lights Eastside coffee shop, expressed strong support for the new venture. "Arun opening his studio, gallery and event space is an absolute dream to be alongside," Patterson said. "His art and his vision for the space are extremely inspiring. He is an exceptional person and extraordinary artist who is extremely inclusive and knows how important community is."
Bing emphasized the broader significance of having a Black-owned gallery in downtown Charleston, calling it "a monumental thread being woven into the city's cultural fabric." He stressed the importance of community support, saying, "You don't know how big this is for a Black man to own a gallery downtown. Hopefully the city stands by him and has his back."
Drummond acknowledged the vulnerable position he has placed himself in with this new venture, describing it as both exciting and raw. He believes that taking significant risks is essential for meaningful change. The "Full Spectrum" exhibition is scheduled to open on October 10, with additional details to be announced. The Drummond Studio Gallery represents not just a new art space, but a bold statement about inclusivity and accessibility in Charleston's cultural landscape.
