Southeastern Wildlife Exposition Named Rebecca Proctor Artist
The 44th annual Charleston event has selected Proctor as the 2027 featured artist and her work as the official poster.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Hunting
Live Poll
Do you believe local art and wildlife festivals provide significant value to your community?
The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition has announced Rebecca Proctor as its 2027 Featured Artist, marking the first time in history a second-generation artist has earned the title. Her painting, The Pursuit, which captures an English springer spaniel in an autumn woodland, will serve as the event's official 2027 poster.
Why it matters
The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition represents a major cultural and economic event for Charleston, bringing an estimated $50 million in annual economic impact to the area. Recognizing an artist with deep historical ties to the showcase highlights the organization's legacy within the wildlife art community.
The 44th annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition holds an estimated $50 million annual economic impact. Proctor joins a legacy of featured artists that dates back decades, including Julie Jeppsen who held the title in 2003.
The players
Rebecca Proctor
She is a fourth-generation artist from Newport, Washington, who is the first second-generation Featured Artist in the history of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition.
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
This is a large-scale annual event in Charleston that brings an estimated $50 million in annual economic impact to the local community.
Julie Jeppsen
She is a professional artist who previously served as the Featured Artist for the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in 2003.
The details
Rebecca Proctor, a fourth-generation artist based in Newport, Washington, will see her painting, The Pursuit, displayed throughout the exposition weekend in Charleston. The piece is scheduled to be auctioned during the exclusive VIP Gala & Sale.
Timeline
Julie Jeppsen served as the Featured Artist in 2003.
The VIP Gala & Sale is scheduled for February 11, 2027.
The 44th annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition will take place February 12-14, 2027.
Roadmap
The selection of a second-generation artist marks a significant evolution in the legacy of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition's historical programming. It reinforces the event's standing as a premier venue for established wildlife artists, bridging the gap between its foundational history and modern contributors.
Residents and visitors to Charleston can expect the official 2027 poster to be prominently featured in marketing materials and event merchandise leading up to the exposition. Those planning to attend the VIP Gala & Sale on February 11 should prepare for high-profile art auctions involving the featured work.
The takeaway
Wildlife art collectors and event attendees should look for Proctor’s work to define the aesthetic of the upcoming 44th annual exposition. The inclusion of a second-generation artist highlights the strong multi-generational talent pipeline within the niche wildlife art industry.
Further reading
Explore more about local outdoor traditions on our Hunting page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCIV.
Live Poll
Do you believe local art and wildlife festivals provide significant value to your community?
