Starting in the late 1800s, immigrants from Germany, Syria, and Greece began arriving in the city of Florence. Many were entrepreneurs who sought to build new lives in America as merchants, candy manufacturers, and restaurateurs. As their businesses grew in popularity and success, names that were once foreign to native Florentines, such as Baroody, Saleeby, Kuker, Cohen, and Palles, gradually became commonplace throughout the city. Descendants of these and other immigrant families can still be found in and around Florence today.

The public is invited to join us for refreshments and a mid-exhibit lecture on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 5:00 pm. Curator of History, Cherish Thomas will speak in detail on the families, businesses, and cultures featured in the exhibition.

Lasting Presence is made possible by 2025 membership contributions.

This landmark exhibition, on loan from the Gibbes Museum of Art, celebrates Twiggs’ remarkable journey, highlighting his unique insights into Southern experience. Despite his legacy as a trailblazer, Leo Twiggs has never had a full retrospective in his home state of South Carolina until now. The exhibition lauds his visionary career, showcasing his iconic Batik technique and profound reflections on the American experience across six decades of work.

A native of St. Stephen, South Carolina, Leo Twiggs received his BA degree from Claflin University, studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, and received his MA degree from New York University, where he studied with the famed painter and muralist Hale Woodruff. He received his Doctorate in Art from the University of Georgia. He has exhibited over 75 one-person shows, and his work has received international recognition with exhibits at the Studio Museum in New York and US Embassies in Rome, Dakar, and Bern, Switzerland, among other venues. He has been widely published in textbooks and featured in several TV documentaries. “Most of my works have deep roots in my experiences growing up in the South, but my intent, as always, is to explore the human condition. It is this exploration, I believe, that makes art endearing and enduring.”, said Dr. Twiggs when asked about his art.

The membership is invited to a member-exclusive preview of the exhibit on the evening of Thursday, June 4, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Enjoy exclusive early access to the exhibit, a glass of wine, and the finest hors d’oeuvres the museum has to offer.