A Unique and Memorable Event

PEPEFEST in Charleston, South Carolina, was an extraordinary celebration of art, memes, and the iconic Pepe character. Kudos to Beeple and his production team for creating a truly rare and unforgettable experience. The three-day event kicked off on Friday evening with a private dinner and open bar for artists, and it concluded with a delightful brunch on Sunday. The highlight was Saturday’s main event, which featured a drawing contest, panel discussions, an abundance of food and drink, meme music, and a plethora of Pepe art.

Hundreds of attendees gathered for the evening festivities, including live music, a Beeple live drawing session, and more Pepe-themed drawing contests. The energy was palpable, with guests even drawing on a giant inflatable Pepe outside in the smokers’ area.

The event took place at Beeple Studios, located in an office park humorously described by comedian Theo Goodman as resembling a potential CIA headquarters. The interior of the venue was a visual feast. Upon entering, guests were greeted with hors d’oeuvres and a massive wall adorned with printed Pepe artwork from the Rare Pepe set and beyond. To the right, attendees could admire Vincent Van Dough’s physical art Pepe collection, featuring pieces by Killer Acid, Rare Scrilla, Chrome Void, Pepenardo, and many others. On the left, Pepeangelos was live-painting a diptych, surrounded by framed prints enhanced with paint. The gallery-like atmosphere evoked a sense of classic art exhibitions, with works displayed close together and high up on the walls.

The main room, comparable in size to a college basketball arena, was filled with digital screens showcasing Pepe art. The sheer number of screens and the immersive experience they created is difficult to convey in words—photographs are a must-see.

Attendees left with free merchandise, prizes, and unforgettable memories. Beeple truly went above and beyond for the community. Special thanks to Eleanora Brizzi for organizing the panels and other elements of the event. Beeple’s live drawing from the event was even minted as a FAKE FAKE RARE in his “Everydays” series. Will he ever create a true Fake? Only time will tell.