By Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89
Eighteen-year-old Patrick Stevenson ’11 didn’t know becoming a professional gallerist was an option. Still, he bought his first piece of art — a George Rodrigue — as a student at Wofford.
“I thought I had to become a doctor or a dentist or a lawyer,” says Stevenson, who majored in business economics and English before following the expected path to law school. “I finished but never practiced. Instead, I ended up in Charleston and began working as an antiquities dealer and fell in love with the French Quarter, the galleries and the art scene.”
More than that, he fell in love with the stories of the art and the artists. That’s what happened when he met Julie Messerschmidt, a classically trained still-life painter from Meursault, France. Messerschmidt inspired Stevenson to include her work alongside the antique furniture at the collective where he worked on King Street. One thing led to another, and soon Stevenson was curating a solo exhibit of her works at 50 Queen Street, a space he transformed into a gallery in early 2024.
“That’s all I needed. The rest is history,” says Stevenson, who now represents 12 artists from Stevenson & Co.’s light-filled, welcoming space that’s a work of art in and of itself. Charleston artist Elizabeth Middour followed Messerschmidt, and Stevenson began to engage more artists: Leigh Royer, Duke Hagerty, June Upton, Riivo Kruuk, Karen Delaney, Mark Wayne, Tim Hussey, Anderson Wrangle, Brandon Owen and, now, Walker Antonio ’24.
“The goal is to be available to connect with each person on a daily basis. I never want to represent more than that,” says Stevenson. “I didn’t know work could be this rewarding. I’m so grateful.”
Stevenson noticed Antonio through Wofford. Then he started a deep dive.
“My job as a gallerist is to always be hunting. I treat this space like a black box theater,” Stevenson says, waving his arm around at the walls filled with Antonio’s bold colors and images that blur the lines between real and surreal.
Stevenson’s enthusiasm is a big reason he was selected president of the Charleston Gallery Association.
“I live in the other galleries as well as my own,” says Stevenson. “Charleston has become an international destination, and it’s my mission to show both budding or experienced collectors that Charleston is rich in all genres and styles.”
He’s hit the ground running with First Friday Artwalks that feature 39 galleries in a type of gigantic block party devoted to art lovers. He’s also helped organize the association’s inaugural fundraiser featuring 29 contemporary artists with proceeds going to Zero Line, a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid. The event was inspired by Duke Hagerty, who earlier in the year delivered medical supplies in Ukraine and shared stories of the experience upon his return.
“The idea was to gather a group of artists in solidarity … for the thriving Charleston creative community to support those in need,” says Stevenson, who’s comfortable in his role as connector. It’s a trait he says Wofford helped him develop — in the classroom with Dr. Natalie Grinnell, Reeves Family Professor of English, and socially with his Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers.
“I could not have asked for a better college experience,” says Stevenson. “It wasn’t a traditional path, but now I’m using everything I learned and experienced to share stories and help people connect through art. It’s my dream job.”