About us
Mission
The Freedman Arts District is committed to nurturing a thriving arts community by providing support to local artists and engaging with art enthusiasts within the district. This support includes customized outreach initiatives and strategic marketing efforts to showcase the creative talent in the area.
With the help of community leaders, businesses, vendors & donors, the Freedman Arts District also works with property owners to renovate these structures, saving vital pieces of history when possible; and assisting in removal and new construction when renovation isn’t a viable option. This cooperative work restores the fabric of the community while encouraging
ownership to stay within the families.
Vision
An energetic Arts District brimming with creativity, providing enriching experiences and opportunities to drive economic revitalization while preserving rich cultural heritage. The district is committed to expanding arts education and offering diverse and engaging programming for all to enjoy.
Executive Director
Cherimie Crane Weatherford
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Cherimie is a successful long-term business owner, former teacher and Civitas Stewardship Award recipient. Additionally, Cherimie has dedicated her time to mentoring numerous young women who have expressed an interest in entrepreneurship. Through her summer intern programs, she has imparted fundamental business knowledge to over two dozen young women, enabling them to pursue educational scholarships.
With over two decades of experience, Cherimie has held prominent roles in real estate and new construction, playing a pivotal part in the revitalization of three local communities. Her real estate publications have garnered recognition, leading to the publication of an award-winning column in The Island News. In 2025 Cherimie was named Best of the Best for her writings about art, life and the south by the South Carolina Associated Press.
Cherimie is a distinguished academic, holding degrees in education from the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Mississippi. She has been honored with the Mississippi Fellowship of Teachers award for her contributions in the Mississippi Delta and other low socio-economic critical shortage areas.​​​​​​​​​
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Board of Directors
Dick Stewart
Serial Entrepreneur
Dick Stewart is a serial entrepreneur with a history of supporting arts, education and environmental concerns. Some of the organizations Dick has been involved with include: The Higher Education Trust which built student housing for USCB; The Port Royal Sound Foundation which has provided education about our area to thousands of children and adults and has provided research funding to USCB marine biologists and others; Crystal Lake Park on Lady’s Island which has the rare qualities of having fresh water, brackish water and salt water adjacent to two schools and on a busy travel corridor and others.
Dick has served on the boards of The Coastal Community Foundation, USCB Education Foundation, United Way of the Lowcountry, the Beaufort Port Royal Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce and The Town of Port Royal Redevelopment Commission. Dick was named Economic Development Ambassador for Beaufort County by two governors and was honored as a Home-Grown Champion by the SC Department of Commerce. Prior to retiring from 303 Associates, Dick was involved in renovating and restoring buildings in the Beaufort Historic District including the Saltus Building on Bay Street which was closed for over 25 years and Beaufort Inn’s Tabby Place event space on Port Republic Street which was vacant for several years. Dick believes the title “Citizen” is a high honor and includes a responsibility to give back to your community.
Ashlee Houck
President and CEO, Beaufort Area Hospitality Association
Houck comes to BAHA from the Garrett Trails Organization in McHenry, Md., where she most recently served as the Executive Director. Houck has more than 10 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry with extensive knowledge in hotel and nonprofit marketing, event management, and overall operations. She earned her bachelor’s degree at West Virginia University in 2007.
Bill Quarles
Chief Financial Officer
Mr Quarles has over 30 years of senior management experience in finance and accounting and has been involved in a diverse array of industries. He has extensive experience in business financings and acquisition and sale transactions.
Before returning to the Lowcountry and forming his consulting company, Aurora Business Consulting, LLC. Mr. Quarles previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Northwest Broadcasting L.P. (“Northwest), a television station operator who acquired and operated small market televisions stations throughout the United States. Mr Quarles joined Northwest in 1997 and helped the company grow to more than two dozen stations and ultimately facilitated the sale of Northwest to Apollo Global Management in 2019. During his time at Northwest, Mr. Quarles was involved in over $500 million of acquisition and sale transactions.
Prior to his time at Northwest, Mr. Quarles served as the Financial Controller of Hanna-Barbera, Inc. (a division of Turner Broadcasting) a television animation production studio in Los Angeles, CA from 1994 to 1997 after having joined Turner in their Atlanta, GA office as a Senior Accounting Manager helping with the launch of The Cartoon Network in 1992. Prior to Turner, Mr. Quarles was a Senior Financial Analyst for Graham Energy, Ltd., an oil and gas limited partnership sponsor based in New Orleans, LA.
Mr. Quarles began his career as an auditor with Arthur Andersen & Co. in 1987 and has a B.A. in Business Administration/Accounting from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.
Linda Sviland
Artist/Vice Chair
Linda Silk Sviland has been a graphic designer and illustrator for more than 40 years. She designed critically acclaimed branding for Presidential election campaigns; commemorative jewelry presented to royalty and corporate VIPs; was honored by the NAACP; and received the Historic Preservationist Award by Stafford County Virginia for her public art installations. She has served on the Board of Directors of several Arts organizations.
Robb Wells
President & CEO, Greater Beaufort-Port Royal Convention and Visitors Bureau
Robb Wells, a 18-year destination marketing professional who oversees marketing initiatives and operations for Visit Beaufort, Port Royal, and the Sea Islands. He is dedicated to sharing “America’s Best Small Town” with the visiting public. Robb also places particular emphasis on partnering with the community to significantly enhance the area’s visitor experience and travel’s overall economic impact. Robb currently serves as Chairman of the South Carolina Lowcountry Tourism Commission and sits on the Board of Directors for Southeast Tourism Society. He’s a graduate of Montreat College with a degree in business and believes that tourism is economic development. This Tar Heel native moved to the area in May 2012 and lives in Seabrook with his wife and 4 children.
Valinda Littlefield, Ph.D.
Director of the Institute for the Study of the Reconstruction Era
Littlefield is a scholar of the history of women, African Americans and education with an emphasis on southern African American women and African American history from 1877 to the present.In 2015, Littlefield received a Governor’s Award bestowed by South Carolina Humanities. In receiving the award, she was called “a champion for the humanities in the Palmetto State.” She has also been the lead historian for the Teach American History Project in multiple South Carolina school districts and has worked tirelessly with public school teachers to deepen the historical knowledge of South Carolinians.