From staff reports
There will be a couple of unique art opportunities to choose from this weekend in northern Beaufort County.
First, Beaufort’s Tabby Place parking lot will be the site of the second annual Chalk It Up! festival.
Organized by the Freedman Arts District, Chalk It Up! is a free weekend festival that celebrates the artistic process while drawing the community together. Artists will be creating from scratch to finish, large chalk artwork on the pavement while chatting with the public, explaining what they are doing and telling their story.
There will be an Opening Reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 28, open to the public, to give the artists a warm welcome to the Lowcountry style. The evening’s entertainment features Beaufort’s Aunt Pearlie Sue, and Valinda Littlefield’s introduction to Beaufort’s Gullah history.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 29 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 30, artists will be chalking it up on the pavement, along with food, drinks and live music. Also on Sunday, local middle and high school art class teams will be competing on their team art squares.
Attendees will determine the winners by voting for their favorites. Voting will be open during the whole festival and tallied toward the end of the Festival on Sunday. The awards ceremony is at 5 p.m.
On Saturday night, March 29, a whole different style of art will be up for sale as Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry holds its Upcycled Art Auction at the Weezie Pavilion at the Port Royal Sound Foundation at 310 Okatie Highway in Okatie.
The fundraising event features ordinary items transformed into stunning works of art—all in support of building a home for a deserving local family.
From 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, the auction will offer more than 70 one-of-a-kind pieces crafted from repurposed materials, highlighting the beauty of sustainability and the power of community-driven impact. Wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Tickets are $50 each in advance, $60 at the door, and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/4ieC8EO.
