MORNING HEADLINES  |  The official 2026 Piccolo Spoleto festival poster shows a procession of faces set against a fragmented Charleston cityscape above a field of botanicals. 

The imagery, unveiled May 8 by Charleston Mayor William Cogswell and the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs Director Rochelle Riley, evokes a collective rhythm, cultural identity and the roots that sustain creative communities. The poster’s title is “Voices in Bloom.

The city selected the poster’s artist, Alice Colin, after an April open call. Colin is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist working across digital, mixed-media and 3-D compositions. Originally from Bordeaux, France, Colin lived and worked across four continents before settling in Charleston with her family. She received the highest commission ever awarded for the Piccolo poster: $5,000. 

“Alice’s work spoke perfectly to all that is beautiful about Charleston — our music, our nature and our people,” Riley said in a press release. “The festival’s theme this year is ‘from here,’ inviting people from across the South to experience the artistry and traditions that can be found only in Charleston.”

Piccolo opens May 22

Piccolo Spoleto, or “Little Spoleto,” kicks off May 22 alongside Spoleto Festival USA. Piccolo, launched in 1979 by the city, spotlights local talent through visual arts, classical music, jazz, dance, theater, choral music, poetry readings, children’s activities and film. More than half of its 250-plus events are free.

Highlights among this year’s lineup include:

  • The Sunset Serenade Concert featuring the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, opening the festival behind the U.S. Custom House;
  • Kid Karaoke at the Cannon Street Arts Center, the new headquarters of the Office of Cultural Affairs, performed in the venue’s 110-seat theater, home of PURE Theatre;
  • Piccolo Porch Concerts, intimate front-lawn performances modeled after the PBS “Tiny Desk” concert format;
  • The OCA’s first-ever concert movie, filmed May 6 at the Angel Oak Tree and features Da’Gullah Rootz; and
  • An opening act for the Piccolo Finale Concert, which will be announced next week following open auditions; the selected performer receives a $500 commission and future concert opportunities.
     

Volunteers still needed

Festival officials say they are seeking more volunteers to support the staggering number of popular events,, including:

  • Sunset Serenade at the U.S. Custom House
  • Memorial Day Concert at Hampton Park
  • Sundown Poetry Series
  • Piccolo Porch Concerts
  • Cannon Street Arts Center family events
  • Juried Art Exhibition at Market Square
  • Piccolo Finale Concert at Hampton Park

To volunteer, visit the the Office of Cultural Affairs’ volunteer page at intellistack.com. For more information about Piccolo Spoleto, visit piccolospoleto.com.

Stuff to do around town

Our online events calendar has scores of events around the Lowcountry every day, making it the most detailed calendar of what’s happening in the area. Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find. 

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