Join us for an inspiring conversation with Charleston-based artist, author, and wellness facilitator Christine D. Johnson as she discusses Art Journey to Inner Peace—a multi-sensory exhibition exploring healing, resilience, and joy through mixed media paintings, collages, and poetry.

Rooted in her Jamaican heritage and a lifelong commitment to mental wellness, Christine’s work invites visitors to reflect on the question: “Where am I in my journey to inner peace?” She will share insights into her creative process, the five transformative phases that shape the exhibition, and the ways art can serve as a path to emotional renewal.

Guests are encouraged to bring a journal, engage with reflective prompts, and experience the artist’s poetry firsthand.

About the Artist 

Christine D. Johnson, MHRIR, SHRM, is a South Carolina–based mixed media painter, poet, and author whose soulful work inspires inner peace and personal growth. Born in Jamaica and shaped by a culture of resilience and community, Christine layers abstract portraits and florals with acrylic paint, paper, and found materials to reflect values like authenticity, patience, and courage. Her creative process is deeply spiritual and rooted in the belief that art supports mental wellness—a passion shaped by witnessing struggles with mental health since childhood. 

In 2024, Christine became a full-time artist and published Art Journey to Inner Peace, a coffee table book blending her art, poetry, and photography. Her work has been exhibited widely since 1994, and her poetry has been performed at notable venues like the Dock Street Theatre and Gaillard Center. She also leads transformative retreats that combine art, yoga, sound healing, and aromatherapy to help others reconnect with their inner calm. Learn more at christinedjohnson.com. 

Described in 1910 as “one of the greatest fighting machines ever devised by the brain of man,” the USS South Carolina (BB-26) was a mighty symbol of American naval innovation. Alongside her sister ship, the USS Michigan, she made history as one of the first all-big-gun battleships in the U.S. Navy—and the first dreadnought-class vessel in the fleet. Her design revolutionized battleship construction and set the standard for naval power in the early 20th century. 

South Carolinians quickly embraced the ship as their own, forming a deep connection with its crew and legacy. Yet despite her trailblazing role, the South Carolina was soon outpaced by newer ships in a fast-moving naval arms race. Her once-promising career ended quietly in a Philadelphia scrapyard. 

This event invites you to journey back to a time when battleships ruled the seas and uncover the remarkable, if bittersweet, story of the USS South Carolina—a vessel that once stood at the forefront of American maritime might. 

About the Speaker: 

Justin McIntyre is the Curator and Maritime Historian at the South Carolina Maritime Museum in Georgetown. His motto: “It doesn’t matter where you are or where you go, there’s always great history to be found!” 

After serving eight years in the U.S. Air Force, Justin earned a B.S. in Archaeological Science with a minor in History from Penn State. He later received an M.A. in Public History from the University of South Carolina. Justin joined the South Carolina Maritime Museum in 2018 and considers it his “second home.” He is proud of all that the museum’s members have accomplished. 

Over the years, his love for Georgetown has deepened—along with his pride in connecting with the community through the state’s rich maritime history and heritage. His interests include military history, genealogy, legends and folklore, and cocktail making. 

Join photographer and photojournalist Tanya Ackerman for a special hour of inspiration and insight as she guides her audience to explore the art of "Chasing the Light" through photography. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just beginning your creative journey, this talk will illuminate techniques, stories, and the passion behind capturing moments that matter. 

About the Speaker: 

Award-winning photographer Tanya Ackerman captures images that portray the beauty of South Carolina and the passions of its people. The stories and emotions she conveys through her photography have earned her numerous awards throughout her career. The South Carolina Press Association has named her Photojournalist of the Year for all weekly newspapers four times since she moved to Pawleys Island, most recently in 2020. 

Her love of the outdoors and her photographic eye were nurtured by her mother, an avid nature photographer. From her father, a jazz musician, composer, and music educator, Tanya inherited an exuberant approach to life that enables her to tap into the unique joys and sorrows of each subject. 

Her ability to dig beneath the surface infuses her photographs with the power to inspire a smile, a tear, or a call to action. She continually seeks new ways to tell the stories of people and places. 

Tanya earned her degree in photojournalism from Kent State University and worked as a newspaper photographer for 25 years. She relocated to Pawleys Island to focus her lens on the coastal community and document this unique piece of the fabric of American life. Tanya released her first book, Pawleys Island: Chasing the Light, to critical acclaim in 2016. Her second book in the Chasing the Light series, Pawleys Island: Seasons of Light, was released in 2020. 

https://www.tanyaackerman.com