Monuments by Craig Walsh at Gaillard Center

Experience Craig Walsh’s Monuments, a striking outdoor installation that transforms trees into sculptural works of art through large-scale nighttime projections. Celebrating individuals from the Charleston community, Monuments challenges traditional ideas of public monuments and the histories they represent. The result is a powerful, haunting blend of human portraiture and nature, inviting viewers to see both in a new light. Presented free and open to the public, this installation will feature individuals selected through a community call for submissions.

“Monuments is about recognizing those whose everyday actions strengthen and uplift our community,” said Lissa Frenkel, President & CEO of the Charleston Gaillard Center. “We invite everyone to take part in this project by nominating the people whose quiet contributions deserve to be seen and celebrated.” 

Taking place in a city engaged in ongoing conversations about how history is remembered and represented, Monuments invites a reflection on who we choose to honor. The project challenges traditional ideas of commemoration—a particularly relevant topic in Charleston following the 2020 removal of the John C. Calhoun monument from Marion Square after 133 years. Situated across the street from the future Anson Street African Burial Memorial, which will honor the 36 Ancestors uncovered during the Gaillard’s 2013 renovation, Monuments connects past and present through a contemporary lens of recognition and shared humanity.