Today, as a percentage of its existing population, South Carolina is one of the most moved-to states in the union. There are many reasons: mild weather, friendly southern hospitality, job opportunities and its location on the Atlantic Coast. But one reason may surprise you: SEWE, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is held here annually in February, usually around Valentine’s Day. And it’s coming up again.
Don’t miss SEWE’s 42nd annual event.
This three-day, 260-vendor event hosts an average of 40,000 guests in historic Charleston, a town founded in 1670. Yes, that was more than a hundred years before the United States was formed. So, you can just imagine the history to be found in this area.
The folks attending this expo are high-end outdoors people, lovers of wildlife, dog owners, artists, art buyers and families. It’s the largest event of its kind, and the largest wildlife art show on the East Coast. It makes sense. This is an event where you can invite your wife to a very romantic southern destination, enjoy its history, shopping and dining in some of the finest restaurants in the region, yet still get to see lots of wildlife art along with hunting and fishing exhibits.
SEWE’s beginnings were humble. In the late summer of 1981, John Culler and I founded Sporting Classics magazine in Camden, SC. In early 1982, ostensibly to help provide PR, we were invited by a group of dedicated sportsmen and wildlife art enthusiasts to discuss the possibility of a Charleston Wildlife event. This meeting was held in Dicky Trotter’s barn near Hopkins, SC. I happened to grow up not far away. In addition to John and myself, Marvin DaVant, W. D. Morris, Dicky Trotter, eventual CEO Jimmy Huggins and a few others were present. We were all enthusiastic, but I don’t think any of us knew for certain that this idea would work. Regardless, the wheels were set in motion, and work it did!
In this 1980s photo, renowned artist Guy Coheleach is signing one of his Masters Of The Wild editions at SEWE, a book series designed and published by the staff of Sporting Classics.
Like many big ideas, the event went through a bit of a struggle in its early years, but SEWE found its footing and grew. Under Huggins’ and board chairman Neil Robinson’s direction, the event became a non-profit in 2003. Over the years, committed board members and highly dedicated staff have positioned SEWE as the premier event of its kind. People return year after year. And wear pins on their hats like war medals to prove it.
Today, many of the visionaries present in that barn are gone. Even Jimmy has retired. But it’s our good fortune that he’s left it in the very capable hands of long time Executive Director, John Powell.
For years, South Carolina has had hidden gems like Brookgreen Gardens, great museums, unspoiled areas like the ACE Basin and 47 mountains-to-the- sea State Parks. But side-show theme parks and fireworks stands seemed to frame many peoples’ views of this state. Gradually, that’s changing, just ask the folks moving here.
Multiply 40,000 times 40 years and you get a lot of happy SEWE visitors. Most come within the state. But many come from far away. And some come to stay. For all the right reasons.
If you’ve never been, or haven’t been in a while, I’d like to invite you to this year’s 42nd Anniversary Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. It’s a true Sporting Classic. As usual, our booth will be on the second floor of The Charleston Place at the entrance to the art exhibits. Stop by and visit!
To learn more about the show and where to get tickets go to https://www.sewe.com.
—Duncan Grant, Jr.
Publisher, Sporting Classics Magazine