Arun Drummond’s Expanding Vision
By Pamela Jouan, Images by Bianka Lamb
Before Arun Drummond became a multi-disciplinary, mixed-media artist and advocate for cultural preservation, he was a framer — literally. His journey began in 2004 behind the counter at Gallery Chuma in Charleston, carefully helping others select the right finishes and materials to preserve their most treasured artworks. “A frame is an art within itself,” he says. But even back then, he led with curiosity. That curiosity, paired with a growing desire to understand and uplift the art he was working with, became the foundation of a creative path that would lead him out of that frame and into the spotlight. “I loved interacting with the customers and learning about the history behind the pieces we were showcasing there.”
Within a year Drummond became a full-time sales associate. Immersed in the stories and visual language of the Gullah community—particularly the work of Jonathan Green — Arun, a South Carolina native from Greer, began to see art as a means of preservation, education, and connection.
Now, with two decades of experience, Arun’s evolution comes full circle with the opening of Drummond Studio Gallery, a space rooted in his personal mission: art, culture, and community. He describes the new studio-gallery as “a seat at the table” for other artists. “I want this space to be a hub for collaboration and cultural exchange, where artists of all backgrounds and skill levels can come together.” He will primarily highlight local African American artists, though his focus won’t be exclusively limited.
While much of his art speaks to and through the Gullah culture, it continues to evolve. “‘I will forever continue to create the mixed media pieces with sweetgrass but my artistry extends beyond that.” Over time, his pieces featuring bright colors and iconic symbols—unfinished baskets, separated heads, natural hair, fading figures, and featureless faces—have resonated deeply. As his work evolves, so has his visual language. Arun recently began exploring pieces without the sweetgrass motif, introducing a new series he calls Convergence. These works juxtapose his vibrant Gullah Memories style with his Natural series, a more subdued, natural-toned aesthetic painted on tan linen canvases. “Color is joy,” Arun explains, “but the lack of color tells a story too—about cultural erasure, about loss. Convergence brings those two forces together.”
In the spirit of accessibility and connection, Arun recently created What We Carry, a collection of tote bags featuring his signature symbols and a message layered with meaning. “It’s about what we carry emotionally, culturally, and spiritually,” he says. “Whether it’s the dreams of our ancestors or just books and groceries, the bags become vessels for meaning.”
Recognizing that not everyone can afford original artwork, Arun designed the totes as a more accessible entry point into his world. Priced between $40 and $50, they serve a dual purpose as functional objects and reflective tools, blurring the line between art and utility, so they invite people to consider not just what they carry in their hands, but what they carry inside themselves.
For Arun, entrepreneurship has always gone hand-in-hand with artistic expression. “I always wanted to be self-employed, to provide employment for others, and to uplift people along the way. Entrepreneurs have that internal fire.” Drummond Studio Gallery is the culmination of these values. “I love bringing people together. I love telling stories. And now, I want to create a space where others can do the same,” Arun says. “This new chapter has made me look at my own career almost like it’s someone else’s story. It gives me a fresh perspective—and that’s how I know I’ll keep growing.”
Because sometimes, the best stories begin when you step outside the frame.
This year, Drummond was a featured artist during Piccolo Spoleto at Marion Square and Cannon Street Arts Center, part of the Spoleto juried art show at the City Gallery, and his booth won the Best Vendor 2025 at the Summerville Flowertown Festival. Looking ahead, Arun’s ambitions extend beyond Charleston. In October, he’ll debut a solo show and artist talk at Arts Warehouse in Delray, Florida—his first out-of-state exhibition.
You can find Drummond’s work for sale at the Gibbes Museum, the International African American Museum (IAAM), and daily at the Historic Charleston City Market. He also appears on Saturdays at the Charleston Farmers Market in Marion Square and during 2nd Sunday on King Street. Follow Arun at @arundrummondstudio for updates on his artistic journey, and @drummondstudiogallery to discover what’s unfolding at the gallery.
