Over the past twelve months, the Institute’s Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff have worked diligently to fulfill our mission of advancing art, education, outreach, and preservation. In a year marked by both change and challenge, we have positively impacted the lives of thousands of adults and children throughout our community—fostering the creative potential of our students, introducing gallery visitors to innovative and inspiring contemporary artwork, and welcoming visitors from across the United States and beyond to experience our historic facilities.

These accomplishments would not have been possible without the steadfast support of our individual and corporate donors, private foundations, and dedicated volunteers. Their generosity of time, resources, and encouragement continues to sustain our work, and we gratefully acknowledge the vital role they play in our success.

The fiscal year began with the completion of extensive repairs to Ware’s Folly and the Walker-Mackenzie Education Building following damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Ware’s Folly reopened to the public during the reception for our A Sense of Place National Juried Competition, welcoming patrons back with restored front steps and freshly painted gallery spaces.

In November, we celebrated the 19th annual Oysters on Telfair fundraiser, featuring a new caterer and an expanded raffle experience. The event was a tremendous success, with proceeds directly supporting GHIA’s programs and daily operations. Later that month, the Institute hosted a beautiful wedding at Ware’s Folly, reaffirming our commitment to expanding the property’s potential as a desired event venue. This experience also reinforced our focus on future improvements to the grounds and the restoration of Ware’s Folly’s historic elevator, enhancing both accessibility and the appeal of our facility rental program.

The Gertrude Herbert’s education program continued to grow this year through expanded class offerings and the addition of new instructors. The ceramics program, in particular, experienced significant transition and growth following the retirement of longtime ceramics instructor Twila Brock. To support this evolving program, five new ceramics instructors joined the faculty, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to our studios. Alongside these staffing changes, the Institute introduced a new hand-building studio, ceramics open studio hours, and launched one-time Friday Night Clay classes, offering greater flexibility and accessibility for students of all skill levels. These additions have strengthened the ceramics program and created new opportunities for creative exploration within the community.

In addition to these educational advancements, Education Director Terry Wilber saw her program, Echoes of Service, come to fruition last fall. This meaningful initiative paired veterans with artists to share and interpret their personal stories through art. The resulting works were exhibited at the VA during a special reception honoring both the participating artists and veterans. The program was met with great success, and Terry is currently working with the VA to expand Echoes of Service in the coming fall, further deepening the Institute’s commitment to community engagement through the arts.

In March, Whiskey at Ware successfully launched the Spring Artists’ Market, bringing together artwork from GHIA’s artist members and an exceptional whiskey tasting experience for guests. This year’s event featured a special guest distiller from Burnt Church Distillery, adding a unique perspective and elevating the evening with a new component. The event served as both a celebration of local artistry and a meaningful fundraiser for the Institute. Proceeds from art sales during the evening, combined with strong sales from exhibitions throughout the year, contributed to a significant increase in earned income from art sales, further supporting GHIA’s programs, exhibitions, and operations.

The awards ceremony for the Agnes Markwalter Youth Art Competition was held the following morning, just prior to the Spring Artists’ Market Family Day. This special event brought together students, families, and community members to celebrate the creativity and achievements of young artists from across the region. Following the ceremony, families were invited to tour the Institute’s historic buildings and participate in artist demonstrations and hands-on activities. Attendance reached the highest levels we have experienced, making it one of our most successful Family Day events to date, with strong art sales and an increase in class registrations.

In April, the Institute quickly pivoted to host the Augusta University Senior Exhibition, providing graduating seniors with the opportunity to install and curate their own work. The exhibition was a tremendous success, with a well-attended opening reception and enthusiastic community support. This partnership has laid the foundation for what will become a recurring annual collaboration between the Institute and Augusta University.

Closing out the exhibition season, Brian McGrath presented a compelling body of work in the Main Gallery, exploring themes of family, memory, and the process of artmaking. In the Creel-Harison Gallery, Sindhu Pillai offered an intimate and powerful visual narrative of her immigration journey from India, sharing her story through thoughtful and beautifully executed artwork.

As the fiscal year comes to a close, the Institute is wrapping up its final weeks of summer camp. This year’s theme, Art Around the World, has introduced campers to a wide variety of artistic traditions and techniques inspired by cultures across the globe. Each camper received a commemorative t-shirt to celebrate their experience, and at the conclusion of each week, families were invited to attend a special reception honoring the students’ creativity and accomplishments.

As we look ahead to the coming year, the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art remains committed to building on this momentum—expanding access to the arts, strengthening community partnerships, and preserving our historic legacy while inspiring creativity for generations to come.