Seaside Gallery Shuts Its Doors as Hotel Renovates

The art space that had 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. The owners knew the spot was short‑term; it ran almost twice as long as expected because the hotel’s renovation schedule changed.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. 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.