A large, historic white mansion with multiple windows, a curved staircase leading up to the front door, and a small garden with bushes and a black iron fence in front.
Children painting and decorating a paper mache sculpture in an art classroom.
Woman in black dress viewing sculptures in an art gallery with framed photographs on the walls.
People lining up at a buffet table with food during an outdoor evening event.
Colorful drawing of a cartoon monster with large eyes, spiky fur, sharp teeth, a round belly, and long legs, created with scribbles of various colors.
A large, white, multi-story house with a covered front porch, white railings, and brick stairs with a low brick wall. The house has multiple windows, some with decorative grids, and a red roof with chimneys. There are trees and shrubs in front of the
A group of children sitting on the floor in an art gallery, facing a woman standing in front of a large painting. The woman appears to be teaching or explaining the artwork to the children. The gallery has several small framed artworks on the wall, a
Child's drawing depicting a person flying or falling over a cityscape with colorful buildings, blue sky, clouds, and abstract patterns.
Sepia-toned photograph of a vintage automobile parked in front of a large, historic, Victorian-style house with multiple bay windows and a staircase in the front yard. An overgrown tree stands in front of the house.
Art gallery with various paintings and sculptures on white pedestals, hardwood floors, and beige walls.
A young girl with glasses holding a colorful gift bag, smiling widely with her tongue out, surrounded by other children at a birthday party. In the background, there are decorated tables with party hats and streamers.
A woman in a purple blouse stands in front of an audience at an art gallery, showing a book with images of planetary bodies. The audience, mostly women, are seated and listening attentively. Artwork is displayed on the walls behind her, and a sculptu
Art gallery with various paintings and artworks on display, including landscapes, still lifes, and abstract pieces, arranged on tables and easels in a well-lit room with wooden floors and large windows.
Two people smiling and talking in the foreground, with a woman with blonde hair inside the room looking out, through a door. A framed picture with white dots and letters on a black background hangs on the gray wall to the left.
A black-and-white photograph of a group of people, including men and women, posing on the steps of a building with brick exterior and fire escape stairs in the background. Some individuals are dressed in formal attire, including suits and dresses, an
A woman in a beige blazer and black pants is speaking to a group of people in an art gallery. The group is standing along the walls, which are decorated with abstract artwork and paintings, and they are listening attentively. Some individuals are hol
An art gallery with sculptures on white pedestals in the foreground and a colorful wall installation in the background, through an ornate entrance with a decorative arch and a partly transparent partition with metal framing.
Colorful abstract artwork featuring a large red and pink heart at the center, surrounded by vibrant patterns and borders in purple, green, blue, red, and yellow with various lines, zigzags, and scribbles.
Woman showing children artwork at an exhibition, with more people in the background.
Top view of a spiral staircase with wooden steps and black metal railings, showing a curvature leading downward.
Three women standing behind a table with four ceramic vases in a pottery studio. They are smiling and looking at the camera. The room has shelves with various supplies and a window with blinds.
View of an art gallery with various colorful paintings on white walls, wooden flooring, and ornate architectural details above the doorway.

GHIA @ a glance

The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art programs contemporary art exhibits, high quality art education, and exciting cultural events in two historic buildings on our campus in downtown Augusta.

  • The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art was originally founded in 1937 by Olivia Herbert and the Augusta Art Club. > HISTORY

  • GHIA is Augusta's only independent nonprofit visual arts school and contemporary art gallery. Our mission is to provide opportunities for visual arts education and to develop visual arts awareness and appreciation throughout the greater Augusta community. > SUPPORT

  • The Institute serves as a showcase for regional, national, and international artists, offering rotating exhibitions of outstanding contemporary artwork year-round. See our current & past exhibitions. > EXHIBITIONS

  • The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art offers quarterly studio art classes and workshops for youth, teens, and adults in all skills levels in a variety of different art media, as well as summer camps for youth. Instructors are professional, working artists. Browse this season's offerings on our class page > CLASSES

CONTACT

Gallery open 10-4, Monday- Friday

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Free Admission

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Gallery open 10-4, Monday- Friday ~ Free Admission ~

 

About Our Campus

  • A large, historic white house with multiple large windows, black railings, a curved staircase leading to a central front door, and a small balcony above the entrance, surrounded by trees and greenery, with brick paving in the foreground.

    Ware's Folly

    Art Galleries & Administrative Offices

    Ware’s Folly, also known as the Ware-Sibley-Clark House, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is where our gallery spaces and administration offices are housed. The grand structure features Adamesque-style detailing on the interior and exterior, a floating spiral staircase, and intricately detailed fanlights, mouldings, fireplaces, and window and door surrounds. Learn more about the building and its history. > HISTORY

  • A large, white, three-story house with a front porch, brick foundation, and multiple windows on each floor, surrounded by greenery under a cloudy sky.

    Walker-Mackenzie Education Studio

    Art Education Classrooms

    Located directly behind Ware’s Folly is the Walker-Mackenzie Education Studio. The historic home, built 1909, was purchased and donated by the Walker and Mackenzie families in 2001. The Institute converted the home into classrooms that include a ceramics studio and photography darkroom. The facility has allowed the organization to expand its visual arts curriculum. This building is ADA Accessible. Browse our class catalog> ART CLASSES

PROGRAMS

  • Colorful crayon drawing of a monster with big eyes, sharp teeth, and spiky fur, on black background.

    COMMUNITY ART OUTREACH

    We believe every child deserves to learn creative expression through art. GHIA programs art instruction in local public schools where it is not currently funded.

    LEARN MORE
  • A young girl with glasses smiling excitedly, holding a colorful, painted gift bag. Behind her, three other children are smiling and making funny faces at an indoor party with a decorated table and chairs in the background.

    EDUCATION

    We offer quarterly studio art classes and workshops for youth, teens, and adults in all skills levels in a variety of different art media.

    CLASS CATALOG
  • Art gallery with sculptures on white pedestals and a wall display of colorful vertical pieces, seen through an ornate doorway with a decorative arch and a metal-framed semi-transparent room divider.

    EXHIBITION

    Each year we host a variety of contemporary art exhibitions in our gallery spaces. This includes the annual Sense of Place National Juried Exhibition in September.

    VIEW EXHIBITIONS
  • Art studio or gallery with artworks on the wall, an easel, chairs, and a large window in a bright room.

    ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

    In partnership with Westobou, we annually host an artist in our 3rd floor studio space to create an all-new exhibition for their gallery.

    LEARN MORE

Admission to our gallery is free to the public with a suggested $5 donation. Your support helps make this possible!

Public support is vital to continuing to offer the exciting exhibitions, educational activities and social events for which GHIA is known. To help us offer these public programs, please consider supporting us. You can join as a member, make a donation, or buy a gift certificate.

SUPPORT

UPCOMING EVENTS

Featured
Whiskey At Ware’s
Mar 13
Whiskey At Ware’s

Sample high-end whiskeys while enjoying a preview discount of art in the 2026 Spring Artists’ Market

Spring Artists’ Market 2026
Mar 13
Spring Artists’ Market 2026

The Annual Spring Artists’ Market sale, featuring work by artist members of GHIA

Family Day at GHIA & Artist Reception
Mar 14
Family Day at GHIA & Artist Reception

FREE - Take part in art demos by GHIA instructors and see the work by our artist members in the Spring Artists' Market

Opening Reception: AU Senior Student Exhibition
Apr 17
Opening Reception: AU Senior Student Exhibition

Opening Reception for the Exhibition of Senior Students at the Augusta University Department of Art & Design

Summer Art Camps at GHIA
Jun 1
Summer Art Camps at GHIA

Summer Art Camps for Ages 5-10. Explore “Art Around The World” in 4 week-long camp sessions.

Accessibility Notes - Visiting the GHIA Campus Buildings

Planning a visit to the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art? Here is some important information about the accessibility of the buildings on our campus. Click on the building names to learn more about each.

We hope this assists members of the community plan their visits to our campus. Please contact us with any questions or concerns. You can call our offices at 706-722-5495 or email us via our contact form online.> CONTACT

  • Our gallery exhibits & events take place in the Ware’s Folly building on campus most often. The Main Gallery & event space is located on the 2nd floor with stair entry from the exterior or interior of the building. There is a third floor with additional gallery space. There is no elevator access to any space in Ware’s Folly due to its historic nature, this building is not considered ADA Accessible.

  • Art Classes and youth summer camps take place in the Walker Mackenzie Art Education Studio on the GHIA campus. This building is 2 stories, both of which are accessible by elevator. The front and back entrances each have a small set of steps to get to the doors, and our elevator is external. Please call ahead and we can provide further information on utilizing the elevator. 706-722-5495