The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) is set to host its 43rd annual showcase in downtown Charleston February 14-16, 2025. Sporting Classics will be located in the Sporting Showroom at the Charleston Marriott (170 Lockwood Drive, directly across from Brittlebank Park). We will be set up on the first floor right outside of the Copley Exhibit.
SEWE spans five major exhibit sites in downtown Charleston: The Charleston Place, Brittlebank Park, Gaillard Center, Marion Square and the revamped Charleston Marriott, which will boast an expanded footprint, enhanced programming and a larger selection of high-end exhibitors. Attendees can look forward to returning favorites, including the SEWE Fine Art Gallery, DockDogs competitions, Center for Birds of Prey demonstrations, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary live shows, curated artisan goods, craftsmen exhibitors, canine demonstrations from herding and retrieving breeds, chef demos and more.
“For more than 40 years, SEWE has championed wildlife art and the sporting lifestyle, proudly promoting conservation education and awareness among our dedicated attendees through captivating art, engaging live performances and thoughtfully curated events,” said John Powell, president of Southeastern Wildlife Exposition.
This year’s event promises to bring more excitement for patrons, introducing a lineup of new activities, engaging talent and dedicated partners. Notable additions and changes to SEWE 2025 include:
Forrest Galante, a renowned American outdoor adventurer, television personality and wildlife biologist, is set to make his eagerly awaited return to the SEWE stage at the Gaillard Center. He will showcase his fieldwork and outdoor experiences, entertaining audiences with live presentations that feature an exciting lineup of exotic animals.
SEWE is expanding the popular Sporting Showroom at the Charleston Marriott, elevating this destination into a more memorable experience. The venue will extend into the Marriott’s courtyard in 2025, featuring a Ducks Unlimited Auction and a brand-new space for visitors to socialize and enjoy refreshments throughout the weekend.
Back by popular demand, Lowcountry Lyrics returns after the special event’s successful debut in 2024. The second edition, set for February 14, promises another exceptional lineup of singer-songwriters in an intimate writers’ round. Returning favorite Keith Stegall will be joined by two more Grammy Award-winning songwriters Lori McKenna and Paul Overstreet, among others. McKenna has written for a wide range of renowned artists including Taylor Swift, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, while Overstreet has crafted hit songs for Randy Travis, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney and more.
The SEWE Fine Art Gallery will once again host live art demonstrations, featuring events including the “Quick Draw Speed Sculpt & Auction” with artists Ryan Kirby and Ray Brown, and “Pencil It In” featuring Ray Brown and additional artists. The popular “Mother Daughter Duo” series will also return, showcasing talented mother-daughter pairs Julie Jeppsen and Rebecca Proctor and Amy Lay and Bayly Lay, as they create duet paintings.
This year, SEWE welcomes new partnerships with the Charleston Parks Conservancy and Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens. The two organizations are reimagining the kids’ areas at the show’s outdoor venues, Brittlebank Park and Marion Square. As part of SEWE’s initiative to enhance the 2025 event and introduce new activities, these partners will transform the kids’ spaces in both parks with expanded educational and nature programming. These enhancements not only advance SEWE’s conservation mission but also create memorable experiences for the next generation.