The grand Ware’s Folly on Telfair Street was meant to entertain guests and dignitaries when it was constructed more than 200 years ago by a former Augusta mayor.
On Nov. 4, the structure, now home to the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, will open its doors and its gardens for guests in celebration of its annual Oysters on Telfair fundraiser.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Heather Williams, the art institute’s executive director.
This is the 16th year for the event, back after the 2020 hiatus.
About 40 artists have donated original works as part of a silent auction. Among the featured artists are Leonard “Porkchop” Zimmerman, Lillie Morris and Jacki Mayo Van Dyke.
Bidding will be available online so people who may not feel comfortable attending an event can place their bids from the comfort of their home, Williams said. Also, people will receive alerts when someone outbids them. She hopes that will spark a bidding war.
Also, up for auction will be some prints by local and regional artists.
The bluegrass band Crosstie Walkers will provide entertainment, and Beck’s will provide the oysters.
Williams said she’s hopeful for temperatures in the 40s because that means she can bring back the firepits.
“We’ve been used to 80 degrees the past few years,” she said.
Williams said funds from the event go into programs such as an outreach the institute has with local schools without an art teacher. The Gertrude Herbert offers art classes to these students.
During 2020, a lot of updates were done to the 200-year-old building including repairs to the roof, replacing rotten wood and painting the exterior. Williams said there’s more that still needs to be done.
Oysters On Telfair will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $75. For more information, call (706) 724-5495 or go to ghia.org.
The first week of November brings a lot of arts events to the area.
4P Studios and The Augusta Regional Collaboration at the 600 Broad Gallery will feature the work of local “graffiti” artists during the month of November.
An opening reception will be from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 5 at the gallery at 600 Broad St.
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“Our medium is graffiti. It can be found on the side of buildings, on an overpass, on a train car or on more traditional surfaces such as paper, canvas and in the digital world. For us, it’s a way to learn and explore new ways to reshape letters and objects into something new or outrageous. It’s a gateway into expression through vivid colors, creativity and various techniques. At its core, graffiti is here to interrupt your everyday lives through artwork,” according to a statement by Jon Paschal, one of the featured artists.
The artwork of Gabe Marshal and Mimi Caroe will be on display at Augusta Regional Airport the fourth quarter of 2021.
“Gabe Marshal is a professional graphic designer and illustrator, as well as a traditional fine artist. He has a bachelor of fine arts in visual communications from Auburn University and 25 years of experience with a lifelong passion for art and design,” according to a news release.
“Mimi Durand Caroe is a professional artist who studied with several well-known artists in New York. She has had her work shown in the Washington Art Association, as well as several venues throughout the Southeast,” the news release said.
Also on Nov. 5, the work of Heather Rene Dunaway, Ashton Maya, Daniella Cull and Sophia Byne will be part of an art show at the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, 739 Greene St.
It will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and the sale will benefit the school and the artists.
From Nov. 1 to Nov. 5, Liminality, a show featuring the artwork of Leslie Hamilton and Lea Rigdon, will be on display as part of a pop-up show at Augusta & Co. on Broad Street.
Meet the artist events will be Nov. 4 and 5.
Hamilton will host an art discussion and brown bag lunch from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 4, and Rigdon will do the same from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 5.
In North Augusta, the artwork of Victoria Milheim and Rosanne Stutts will be on display at the Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta through Nov. 11.
The Guild of Sacred Heart will present its arts exhibition Nov. 4 through Dec. 30 at Sacred Heart Cultral Center. A reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 4 and the exhibition will feature works of artists including Panny Force, Vickie Greene, Joan Vanover and Lucy Weigle.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
