Seabrook Island Town Council has proclaimed November 1st as Mary Whyte Day; Event planned at Seabrook Island Club

Seabrook Island Town Council has proclaimed Friday, November 1, 2019, as Mary Whyte Day in the Town of Seabrook Island. The Town, in conjunction with SCOPE50, has been planning this event over the last few months. The Town is recognizing Ms. Whyte for her dedication and commitment to serving the people of Seabrook Island and the Sea Islands. At this event, Ms. Whyte will also be doing a presentation on her latest project, We the People: Portraits of Veterans in America. Over the past several years Ms. Whyte has traveled throughout America, painting a watercolor portrait of a veteran in each of the fifty states. The opening exhibit of the fifty watercolors will take place this month at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park in Charleston. 

A reception and presentation will begin at 3:00 pm at the Seabrook Island Club.. Those interested in attending this presentation and reception should contact Michelle Duplessis for reservations at (843) 768-7849 or [email protected]. ($10 per person, beer & wine included) 

At the Club event on November 1, Seabrook Island veterans, representing each branch of the military, will be in attendance. Following Ms. Whyte's presentation, she will be signing copies of the companion book.

When Ms. Whyte, an internationally known watercolor artist, arrived on Seabrook Island in 1991, she immediately began to break down the barriers that existed between the people of Johns Island and the residents of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands. Through her books and art, particularly of the Gullah people and the blue collar workers of the South, she opened the eyes of Seabrookers and Kiawah Islanders and helped them understand the people living on Johns Island.

Ms. Whyte's works hang in galleries and museums across America and around the world, and she has received many awards. In spite of all these accolades, she is a humble and caring person who has been very active in organizations that help those who live on the Sea Islands. Her dedication and support of the Hebron Zion Presbyterian Church senior center on Johns Island is unparalleled. For many years she provided an annual luncheon at the Seabrook Island Club for these women who were mostly in their 80's, and she invited Seabrookers to greet and welcome these women. She has spearheaded the collection of toys and clothes for grandparents to give their grandchildren at Christmas. She has supported the Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation's annual Gullah Celebration in many ways, but especially by donating her work for their silent auction. She has done fundraisers for many local art groups. She has painted murals at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center, where she serves on their board. She has also painted murals in local church sanctuaries. She has served on the SCOPES0 Board of Directors and has organized fundraisers for them. Ms. Whyte teaches watercolor classes, both locally and around the world, and is in great demand to share her work and teach. One such request came from former President George W. Bush who invited her to meet with him in Dallas after he had published a book of his paintings of wounded military veterans. 

At the Club event, Ms. Whyte will be recognized by Mayor Ron Ciancio and John Reynolds, President of SCOPE50.

Contact John Reynolds 
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (843) 768-0434