Discover Georgia's Augusta Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art

Discover Georgia's Augusta Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art - Completed in 1818 for an exorbitant $40,000,
the Nicolas Ware House, Ware's Folly, is an architectural showplace in Augusta. Nicholas Ware, mayor of Augusta and United States senator, built this grand Federal-style house which now is the home of the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. Stay and Play in GA!

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Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art History

Founded in 1937 and housed in Ware's Folly (ca. 1818) and the Walker-Mackenzie Studio (ca. 1907), the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art serves as the Central Savannah River Area's only independent non-profit visual art school and gallery. The Institute offers visual art education opportunities for students of all ages and interests. Quarterly studio classes and workshops are available in a wide range of media, from drawing and painting to photography, weaving, clay, and sculpture.

The house has a simple 4 room, center hall plan with four end chimneys and a handsome portico, bays, and oval stairway. The home's fluted pilasters, elegant bay windows, and three-story elliptical staircase were attractions to visitors when it was built and still enthrall tourists today.

Ware’s Folly served as the elite town home for three important Augusta families of the 19th century. The house belonged to the Nicholas Ware family from 1818 to 1828. The James Gardner family, elite Augusta merchants and professionals, occupied the house from 1830 until 1871. William C. Sibley, an Augusta cotton-mill owner, lived there with his family from 1871 to 1909.

Ware's Folly became home to the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art in 1937 through the generosity of Mrs. Olivia A. Herbert. A wealthy New Yorker who often wintered in Augusta, Mrs. Herbert purchased and renovated the mansion to provide a permanent home for the Augusta Art Club as well as a living memorial to her daughter, Gertrude Herbert Dunn, soon after her death.

The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, founded in 1937 and housed in Ware's Folly with the Walker-Mackenzie Studio (c. 1907), is the Central Savannah River area's only independent nonprofit visual art school and gallery. The institute offers visual art education opportunities for students of all ages and interests. Quarterly studio classes and workshops are available in a wide range of media, from drawing and painting to photography, weaving, clay, and sculpture.

The Gertrude Herbert Art Institute is located at 506 Telfair St. within the boundaries of the Augusta Downtown Historic District. It is open Tuesday–Friday, 10:00am to 5:00 pm. Guided tours by appointment only. Call 706-722-5495. Free. For more information visit the institute's website at ghia.org. The building has been documented under the name Ware-Sibley-Clarke House by the National Park Service's Historic Americans Buildings Survey.

The Gertrude Herbert also takes arts education "on the road" through extensive outreach programming. Our award-winning after-school ArtVentures program provides visual art instruction to more than 3,000 elementary school students annually. Since 1993 we’ve provided an Artist-in-Residence for students at an inner-city school, currently Hornsby Elementary.

In addition, the Gertrude Herbert serves as a showcase for local and regional artists, hosting at least six major exhibits of contemporary art in its Main Gallery each year. Rotating student exhibits feature works by school children from all over the Augusta area. Gallery hours are 10 am – 5 pm Tues – Fri and Sat by appointment only (24 hours advance notice requested). Admission is free and donations are encouraged.

For more information on the Gertrude Herbert and its programming, please visit the remaining pages of our website,

Exhibits -

Ware's Folly - Upcoming Exhibitions - A Sense of Place: 28th Annual Juried Fine Art Competition 9/19-10/17/2008 - Opening Reception & Awards Presentation: 9/19 -6–8 pm
28th Annual juried fine art exhibition seeks to recognize the outstanding quality and diversity of work being generated by contemporary American artists. Chosen by juror Amanda Cooper of the Arts Center in St. Petersburg , Florida , thirty-eight artists representing twenty-two states are featured this autumn. Winners of the competition’s three cash awards will be announced at the opening reception. Open to the public; free of charge. Located at the Main Gallery

Folly's Jewels: Art, Architecture and You - 9/19 - 12/16/2008
Created as part of a recent GHIA professional development initiative for Georgia teachers, the documents featured in this exhibition provide a fascinating look at historic Ware’s Folly, the beautiful 1818 structure built for one of Augusta’s earliest mayors and home to the Institute since 1937. Architectural drawings prepared as part of the 1930s Historic American Buildings Survey complement the presentation. Located at First Floor Gallery

Augusta State University Fine Art Faculty Exhibition - 11/6 - 12/16/2008
The Institute is pleased to welcome the faculty of Augusta State University’s Fine Arts Department back to its galleries this November. Works in a wide range of two- and three-dimensional media will be on view. Please join us in honoring these dedicated professional educators who inspire new generations of artists every semester.
Reception: 11/21/2008 at 6–8 pm. Open to public; non-members $5. Located at Main Gallery

Walker-Mackenzie Studio - Gertrude Herbert Faculty Exhibition - 9/19 - 10/31/200
Members of the Institute’s visual arts faculty showcase their work in the Walker-Mackenzie Gallery this fall. From prints and paintings to photographs and pottery, their efforts clearly reflect the abundance of talent and creativity these gifted artists bring to our classrooms throughout the year. Located at Walker-Mackenzie Gallery

Gertrude Herbert Student Exhibition - 11/10- 12/16/2008
Our Education Building plays host to an exciting exhibition of works by students enrolled in GHIA’s recent studio art classes. Located at Walker-Mackenzie Gallery

Tour

Built in 1818 for the exorbitant sum of $40,000, Ware's Folly was an architectural first for Augusta. This grand Federal-style house was built under the strict direction of Nicholas Ware, mayor of Augusta and U.S. Senator. The home's fluted pilasters, three-story elliptical staircase, and elegant bay windows served as tourist attractions then, and still enthrall visitors today.

Ware's Folly became home to the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art in 1937 through the generosity of Mrs. Olivia A. Herbert. A wealthy New Yorker who often wintered in Augusta, Mrs. Herbert purchased and renovated the mansion to provide a permanent home for the Augusta Art Club as well as a living memorial to her daughter, Gertrude Herbert Dunn, who had recently died.

Today major exhibitions of local and regional artists hang in the Institute's Main Gallery, while displays of art by area school children fills the first- and third-floor hallways. Exhibits typically rotate every six to eight weeks, offering visitors something new to see almost every time they stop by.

Take time to explore this historic home and living landmark today. Ware’s Folly and its galleries are open to the public Tuesday – Friday from 10 am – 5 pm and Saturday by appointment only (24 hours advance notice requested). Admission is free!

Our Education Department is always delighted to arrange guided tours for schools and other interested groups; please call two weeks in advance to schedule a time for your visit. If you are interested in volunteering as a docent, please click here for more details on our tour program.

To receive further information, or to schedule a tour date, call us at 706-722-5495.

Classes - September through December

The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art is pleased to offer a variety of visual arts classes this quarter for students of all ages. Classes and workshops are offered on weekdays, evenings, and weekends to accommodate busy family and professional schedules. Designed with both the seasoned artist and the interested amateur in mind, our educational programs provide opportunities for learners at every level.

Our complete listing of current classes and workshops is grouped by age level and program type. Adult offerings include drawing, painting, photography, pottery, weaving and sculpture, as well as workshops on a variety of topics.

Programs for children from toddlers to teens are also available, including youth classes in drawing, painting and pottery, sculpture, and other media. Special workshops are also available. Our Saturday family workshops provide a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to explore the visual arts together.

To receive a newsletter with additional information on classes, workshops, and other programs and events, please contact our office or call (706)722-5495.

Good things really do come in small packages! The Gertrude Herbert offers a wide range of one- and two-day workshops for everyone from toddlers to senior citizens. Special workshops for adults and youngsters enable students to acquire a new skill or create a unique art project in just a few hours time. Our very popular family workshops allow parents and children to spend quality time together while collaborating on seasonal art activities that all will enjoy. No matter how tight your schedule, we've got just the class for you!

Adult workshops
Exploring Watermedia: Acrylic on Paper - Lou Ann Zimmerman - 10/18/2008 at 9:30 a –3:30 pm
Students will explore several techniques including glazing, printing, and lifting to achieve texture and interest in acrylic painting. Students will discover the potential of acrylic paint, utilizing a technique that yields a transparent surface similar to watercolor painting. Bring a sack lunch. A supply list will be provided upon registration. student/instructor ratio: 10 to 1. Member: $67.50 Non-member $75

Holiday Greeting Card Workshop - Thomas Needham - 2 Saturdays beginning 11/1/2008at
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This is your opportunity to design and produce unique holiday greetings cards that will provide a special memory for the recipients. Participants will paint a watercolor seasonal scene or still life. The instructor will then assist students in the process of converting the finished artwork into a personalized holiday card. Please bring a brown bag lunch to class. A supply list will be provided upon registration. student/instructor ratio: 10 to 1. Cost: Member $63 and Non-member $70

Youth workshops
Holiday Projects I (Ages 5-9) - Laura Umphrey - 2 Saturdays beginning 12/6/2008
10 a.m. – Noon
Create holiday decorative treats of handmade papier mâché in this workshop. Students will complete projects from stars to snowmen, from trees to reindeer in a winter wonderland. The festive holiday projects will bring enjoyment year after year. All supplies will be provided.
student/instructor ratio: 10 to 1. Cost: Member: $22.50, Non-member $25 and Supply Fee: $2

Holiday Projects II (Ages 10-14) - Pat McMahon - 2 Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning 12/2/2008 at 4 – 5:30 p.m.
This exciting workshop will provide students with the opportunity to create holiday ornaments and decorations that the family will enjoy for years to come. Materials will include salt-dough clay that will take on sculptural forms in the colorful traditions of the season. All supplies will be provided. student/instructor ratio: 8 to 1. Cost: Member $36 - Non-member $40 & Supply $4 Fee
Location: The Quest Church, 4020 Washington Road, Martinez

Contact and Address Info

Phone: 706-722-5495 - Location: 506 Telfair Street, Augusta, GA 30901