Seal Bid Auction at Smith Killian Fine Art – Help a Family in Need

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The Sylvan Gallery and Eli’s Table: Partners for the 2012 Palette and Palate Stroll

Located on King Street in Charleston’s art and antique district, The Sylvan Gallery has established a reputation of bringing some of the finest international work to the Charleston forefront. Representing more than 25 artists globally, the gallery focuses on 20th and 21st century representational art. Owned and operated by Joe and Janie Sylvan, the gallery is helping to bring diversity to Charleston’s art scene. The Sylvans bring a combined total of more than thirty years of gallery experience to this warm and inviting gallery.  It is a “must see” gallery in a city that is rapidly becoming one of the premier “destination art markets” in the country.

For this year’s stroll, The Sylvan Gallery is pleased to welcome the recently opened Eli’s Table for a memorable evening of fine art and delicious food served by one of Charleston’s most well-known chefs-Brett McKee.

Born and raised in Brooklyn and Long Island, New York, Chef McKee’s upbringing inspired the eclectic creativity that

Chef Brett McKee

has formed his legendary culinary career. Growing up, Chef McKee was influenced by his own Irish-Norwegian background, as well as the abundantly diverse cultures found in the melting pot of New York. In 1983, he officially began his career in Manhattan and the Hamptons after graduating first in his class from the New York Restaurant School. In 1989, he ventured south to Charleston, South Carolina, where he introduced his culinary creations to the guests of The Vendue Inn. In 1991, Chef McKee opened Hugo’s on the Isle of Palms prior to showcasing his flair for upscale Italian cuisine at Union Hall. He then opened two namesake restaurants, Brett’s and Brett’s at the Wickliffe House.

Chef McKee thrived on his culinary success while Charleston raved about his personality as much as his restaurants. He left his first, and most significant, footprint on the Charleston restaurant community with the opening of Oak Steakhouse in 2005 where he was executive chef. In 2007, Chef McKee was one of five finalists for Chef Magazine’s “Chef of the Year” and in 2008, the Culinary Legend Award at the Charleston Food & Wine Festival. To add to his growing list of restaurants, McKee launched O-Ku, a high-end Japanese and sushi restaurant on King street in Charleston.

Chef McKee’s culinary skills and commitment to philanthropy positively impacted the Charleston community and the world beyond. He was awarded Charleston Magazine’s “Giving Back: Reader’s Choice Award” in the fall of 2007 and the “Paul Hulsey Philanthropy Award” from the YES Carolina Foundation in 2008. Most recently, Chef McKee partnered with Charleston Hospitality Group as their Corporate Chef and consultant and worked to open Eli’s Table on busy Meeting street.

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Horton Hayes Fine Art and Oak: Partners for the 2012 Palette and Palate Stroll

Summertime by Shannon Runquist

Horton Hayes Fine Art is located at the corner of State and Queen Streets and features original works by locally and nationally recognized artists, including Mark Kelvin Horton, Shannon Runquist, Chris Groves, Nancy Hoerter, Bjorn Runquist, Michael Knoch and Larry Moore. For the 2012 Palette and Palate Stroll, the fine art gallery will feature food paintings of Shannon Runquist.

Subject matter in the gallery varies and includes landscapes, still-life, figurative works and architectural depictions rendered in oil, pastel or watercolor. While many of the pieces depict Lowcountry scenes and themes, one may also find a range of images including mountain and western scenes, European subjects and a variety of works inspired by the diverse experiences, surroundings and travels of their artists.

For this year’s stroll, Horton Hayes is pleased to be paired with Oak Steakhouse, a true Charleston favorite. Touted as “one of the best and most distinctive steakhouses in America,” Oak Steakhouse presents classic steakhouse cuisine as well as locally sourced seafood and produce in an impeccable setting. Its classic steakhouse menu combined with its arched doors and windows, 18-foot ceilings, mahogany paneling and 150-year-old heart of pine floors make it one of the most distinctive dining spaces in the country.

Chef Jeremiah Bacon-photo by Leslie Ryann

Executive Chef Jeremiah Bacon’s menu highlights include succulent steaks such as the marinated 28 oz. Certified Angus Beef Prime bone-in ribeye, as well as seafood favorites like the pan-seared sea scallops served with roasted exotic mushrooms and a foie gras au poivre sauce. A Charleston native and College of Charleston alumnus, Bacon attended the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, N.Y. After graduating from the CIA in 1999, Bacon moved to New York City where he spent 10 years working for legendary restaurants such as River Café, an award-winning riverfront restaurant in Brooklyn, N.Y., and ILO in midtown. Bacon left ILO to join the staff at Le Bernardin, the famed seafood restaurant of celebrity chef Eric Ripert. In 2004, Bacon was part of the opening crew of Per Se, which along with Le Bernadin, earned Four Stars from the New York Times and Three Michelin Stars.

When Bacon returned to the Lowcountry in 2007 as executive chef of Carolina’s, he passionately incorporated a local-first philosophy into his culinary practices by building strong relationships with local farmers and fisheries. Bacon joined Oak Steakhouse as executive chef and partner in November 2010 and brought this philosophy with him to add his personal touch to the menu, taking it in a progressive, yet local direction.

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Horton Hayes Fine Art Features Food Paintings of Shannon Runquist for the Palette and Palate Stroll

For the Palette and Palate Stroll on Friday, July 13th, Horton Hayes Fine Art will feature a special exhibit of Shannon Runquist’s food paintings.

Crab by Shannon Runquist

Shannon Runquist was born is Savannah, Georgia, and has spent most of her life in the South. Currently residing in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, she spends summers on Cape Cod. Spending time near the shore, she has developed a great love for coastal regions and the elements that define them. Runquist always paints the neatest subject matter. Regular everyday things come to life with her paint brush!

Runquist has participated in many national and international exhibitions including consecutive years at the Salmagundi Club in New York City and the Salon International. She enjoys traveling and painting en plein air as well as working in her home studio. Her paintings hang in both corporate and private collections in the United States and abroad.

Pig in a Blanket by Shannon Runquist

“I would like for my paintings to convey a timeless aesthetic. They are often an extension of an emotion at the time I am painting but I hope my work remains ambiguous. I paint what is familiar to me, what I have collected or a place I have been. My favorite paintings are ones that tell a story but leave a little mystery for the viewer,” says Runquist.

To purchase tickets to the Palette and Palate Stroll, please visit www.cfada.com. Tickets are $45 per person.

Butter me Up by Shannon Runquist

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