I liked Margo Kaufman gallery owner Jeffery Rhodes instantly after meeting him. “I’ve been dying to do an all-women show!” he said — and I was smitten. He pointed out a tiny yellow pin with a woman’s picture, fastened to the lapel of his adorable blue and white seersucker suit. “That’s my great grandmother,” he boasted proudly. Talk about a legacy. Margo must be delighted!

Every two to three months, after scouring the streets of Charleston for the next perfect venue (tough job), Rhodes takes over a local venue’s space, invites his own assortment of artists to be featured at the event, and donates a portion of the proceeds to the nonprofit of his choosing. This Wednesday’s lucky proceeds recipient was the Center for Women, and there were plenty of women at Nancy Koltes’ old space (438 King St.), taking in Rhodes’ Contemporary Women exhibit while supporting women and enjoying some mighty fine catering.

I sampled lasagna, fish cakes, mini chocolate cupcakes, and bruschetta, and none disappointed. I also snagged some time with artists Kaminer Haislip and Sharon Lacey (both darlings) and took in some serious art by others like McLean Sheperd – whose glittery “Gilded Gerber Daisies,” swimming in silver, made me feel young again, and Helen Rice (who is a model for this month’s issue of skirt! magazine btw), who displayed her mixed media geometric shapes. Haislip was the most intriguing to me of all the artists with her unique work as a silversmith. She directed me to a piece she named, “Sounding Clear in a Side Way Up” and explained to me how, between the triangle-shaped base of the silver sculpture and the opening at the top, it mimicked the hardware of a bird (the top opening looked just like an upside down beak once she elaborated). Who knew silver could sing?

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