Explore Top 5 Georgia Art & Culture Destinations
Georgia, known rather affectionately as the Peach State, presents, really, a treasure trove of art and cultural experiences, something that you can find more about here. So, it’s not just about the peaches (though they are pretty good, to be honest!), yet, it’s about digging into a history that is both really fascinating and rather complex. We’re going to take a peek at five spots that I feel really show off what Georgia has to offer in the way of artistic expression and heritage.
1. Savannah Historic District
If you ask me, Savannah, in general, is just completely dripping with charm, in a way. Too, it’s almost like taking a stroll through a painting, especially as you walk through the Historic District. This area is actually chock-full of well-preserved architecture that showcases everything from the antebellum era to the Victorian period, still, if you like peeking at pretty buildings, this is your place, in fact! But anyway, there’s far more here than just looks.
So, the Telfair Museums, for example, they happen to encompass three really unique buildings: the Telfair Academy, Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, and the Jepson Center for the Arts. That means you are actually getting a triple dose of art and history all rolled into one, sort of! The Owens-Thomas House, specifically, gives one, like your truly, a closer, very honest glimpse into the lives of those who lived there, that involves everybody, including the enslaved people, I feel, which is both moving and frankly, rather educational. Find more history and art info right here!
2. Atlanta’s High Museum of Art
For a dose of something modern (or a bit older), consider checking out Atlanta’s High Museum of Art, almost. So, situated right in the heart of Atlanta, this museum is, actually, a beacon for art lovers of every stripe, anyway! It boasts a pretty impressive collection that spans all sorts of periods and styles, that goes, very apparently, from classical pieces all the way up to super contemporary works.
Actually, they put on really special exhibits regularly. This is a chance to view pieces that are traveling through, so too its almost always an adventure to discover a new style or an artist that just maybe wasn’t on your radar before, in a way. That is why the High Museum is a great destination, particularly, for anyone hoping to broaden their artistic horizons, in some respects.
3. Augusta’s Arts Scene
Augusta might be fairly known for the Masters Tournament, but the town features way more than just golf (though of course, there are some great greens!). To say it differently, there’s really a bubbling arts scene that has taken a pretty firm hold, so to it’s almost as good as a hole-in-one!
So, for instance, the Augusta Canal Discovery Center has interesting exhibits telling you about the city’s industrial heritage. But anyway, what about the art? For art fans, check out the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, actually, one of the oldest independent nonprofit art schools in the South. This location actually features art displays that you shouldn’t miss and very often has rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, something that might interest a newcomer. If that doesn’t attract your attention, still, be sure to explore the local galleries and studios scattered downtown, for example, here, and maybe meet a new favorite artist in the process.
4. Athens: A Hub of Music and Art
Athens, the home of the University of Georgia, really, is really known for its super live music scene (R.E.M., anybody?). That being the case, that energetic vibe kind of spills over into pretty much everything else that happens in town. The Georgia Museum of Art on the UGA campus features many exhibits, that is why Athens is unique.
So, beyond the campus, the city’s got really interesting art galleries and spots with live music every single night of the week. From little rock bands in dive bars to folk singers playing in comfy coffee shops, if you find that to your tastes, Athens almost promises an entertaining night. It looks like, really, if you can only check out a single event, you may want to consider AthFest, held in the summer.
5. Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia
For something slightly different, too it’s almost something super unique to Georgia, think about traveling to the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia. Very frankly, this gem honors the legacy of folk pottery. Still, it’s super connected to the area.
So, you’re gonna see every type of pottery here, ranging really from simple utilitarian pieces to much more decorative showpieces, in that case. These pieces offer an incredibly unique insight into the lives and stories of the people who basically have shaped the region’s cultural heritage. If you might be keen on crafting with clay on your own, or want to know more about the folk pottery tradition, it can really bring you in close to the craft, in other words.