Seaside Gallery Shuts Its Doors as Hotel Renovates

The art space that kept the spirit of a big wildlife festival alive all year has closed while its host hotel goes through a $150 million makeover. The gallery, located on the first floor of Charleston Place, was part of a plan to use temporary retail spots during the hotel’s long‑term update. It opened in 2023 and was more than a collection of paintings; it let festival staff reach new visitors and highlighted the wildlife art scene every month with residencies, shows and community events.

Short‑Term Vision – The owners knew the spot was short‑term; it ran almost twice as long as expected because the hotel’s renovation schedule changed.
Boosting Exposure – The gallery was praised for boosting exposure for artists and helping the festival stay visible between its February events, which pull in over $32 million each year.
Future Plans – While the space is gone, the festival organizers say they will keep engaging people through other projects and may look for a new venue if it makes sense.

The closure marks the end of one chapter but the beginning of another as they prepare for their 45th festival in 2026.

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