FEELIN’ ARTSY
Arts and culture are alive and well in the Golden Isles. The scene encompasses a large community of artists and artisan creators inspired by the beauty that surrounds us. In addition to painters, potters, sculptors, woodcrafters, and jewelry makers, we also have prolific writers and talented stage performers.
On St. Simons Island, Glynn Visual Arts (glynnvisualarts.org) is at the heart of the art community, with a main gallery on Skylane Drive, and space in the Visitor’s Center on Beachview. They offer more than a dozen exhibitions by local and nationally celebrated artists annually, three major art festivals, and a variety of classes and creative opportunities for adults and children. ArtTrends Gallery (arttrends.gallery) is an artists’ co-op displaying and selling eclectic works by local artists. They co-host periodic “Art Strolls” that urge visitors to stop in and visit participating galleries. Anderson Fine Art Gallery (andersonfineartgallery.com) is a destination gallery for the finest in original representational paintings that encompass landscapes and still life scenes, as well as some non-representational works. The gallery’s roster includes an outstanding group of professional and emerging artists. For more than decade Anderson Fine Art has sponsored workshops taught by professional artists from across the country who are brought here to instruct follow painters. Around the corner from Anderson Fine Art is the Artists' Annex, home to several local artists, including Marden Headley (seen in our June fashion feature), who also teaches classes there. Artist Ken Wallin also has a studio on the island and participates in the St. Simons Art Strolls, otherwise his works can be seen by appointment only.
A hop, skip, and a jump off of St. Simons Island, just across the causeway in Historic Downtown Brunswick, you’ll discover the arts are well represented in the “SoGlo” district. The Ritz Theatre is home to Golden Isles Arts & Humanities (goldenislesarts.org) and the Wilcox Gallery, which features touring exhibits, local and regional artists and student art. Exhibit opening receptions with the artists coincide with First Friday in downtown Brunswick. SoGlo Gallery (soglogallery.com) displays multi-media works by local artists and photographers, recent exhibits have included works by Jim Jones, Anne & Christophe Goodstein, and emerging artist Nathaniel Thompson. SoGlo also hosts the annual show for the Golden Isles FiberArts Guild. The Gallery on Newcastle, Brunswick Artery, and Blue Cottage Art Market are a few other spots where works by local artists are on display and classes and workshops may be offered.
Goodyear Cottage in Jekyll Island’s Historic District is the home of the Jekyll Island Artists Association (jekyllartists.com). JIAA presents monthly exhibits and maintains a gift shop of consigned works by members. Every March, they present a 3-day art festival. Also keep an eye out for seasonal shows by the Georgia Coastal Artists Guild and Coastal Photographers Guild.
Community theatre is also alive and well here. The Island Players (theislandplayers.com) have been bringing the stage to life with a variety of productions since 1956. The oldest community theatre in the Golden Isles, their annual season offers four shows, including a musical, plus the Young Peoples Summer Workshop production in July. Everyone is not only invited to attend their performances in the St. Simons Casino Theatre, but also to audition or join the production teams. The Brunswick Actors Theatre (soglogallery.com) is an intimate 111 seat theatre in SoGlo Gallery on Newcastle St. that hosts productions from February to December. Tickets include desserts and coffee/tea and their always humorous shows are always a real treat. The Ritz Theatre is where you'll find the Golden Isles Penguin Project performing their annual summer musical theater production with a cast of children and young adults with disabilities and special needs in all roles, performing with the assistance of on-stage mentors. Such a heartwarming experience to watch! They also host performances by touring groups like the Peach State opera and others, as well as holiday productions.
Watercolor sketch by Greer Thomas Shinall
Crafts in the Village
Under the canopy of live oaks at Postell Park, you’ll find monthly Crafts in the Village arts and fine craft shows and the St. Simons Vintage and Antique Market from spring through fall, as well as the spring Art in the Park and fall Art Under the Oaks festivals by Glynn Visual Arts. These shows generally host 40-50 vendors that offer everything from fine art and photography to pottery and woodworking, jewelry, and gourmet goodies. Vendors vary monthly and with the organization hosting the show, so you never know what you might find! Vendors are set up from approximately 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (depending on the show) and may include extra days during holidays. Inclement weather cancels. For schedules, see social media accounts and websites for Crafts in the Village, St. Simons Vintage, and Glynn Visual Arts.
ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK
If it’s live music you want, we know just where to find it. We have a rich local music scene if you just know where to look! There is live music in the Golden Isles each and every night of the week from the piano bar at Georgia Sea Grill to Wednesday open mic night at Wine Alley, next to Wine, Body & Soul, in Redfern Village and karaoke nights at various venues, like Thursdays in the Tree Bar at Bennie’s Red Barn, to seasoned performers, popular local cover bands, and touring musicians here to rock our stages and outdoor concerts. While music offerings are lighter on weekdays, every Friday and Saturday there are at least a dozen local venues hosting live music both indoors and outside. If you cross the causeway on those evenings, you can catch the free Brunswick Music District concerts with favorite local and visiting bands from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in Jekyll Square East, next to Tipsy’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill. EIL a proud sponsor of these free community concerts. While you’re there, we encourage you to grab a drink or a bite from the music sponsor, Tipsy McSway’s to thank them for playing a major part in keeping the music scene alive downtown. You can even enjoy live music during Sunday brunch with multiple venues offering afternoon entertainment, including Golden Isles Olive Oil in Redfern Village.
“But what KIND of music is out there?” you might ask. Our local bands truly run the gamut, playing classic rock, 80s and 90s covers, jazz, Southern blues, country, and more. The best way to find out where the music you like is being played each week is to check out “I’m With the Band” on the EIL website at elegantislandliving.net, Facebook and Instagram @imwiththebandssi. This is a comprehensive and frequently updated list of who’s playing where and when each week, including special concerts that pop up and any nearby festivals. There are also guides to local artists and music venues on the site in case you aren’t familiar with them.
Elegant Island Living is a proud sponsor of the A Little Light Music summer concert series, presented by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. A Little Light Music concerts are held on select Sunday evenings May through September at 7:00 p.m. on the oceanfront lawns of the St. Simons Lighthouse when the tide is just right to bring a breeze. These concerts are the biggest and best “block party” where you’ll find all of your friends and neighbors. Picnic dinners accompanied by your favorite beverages are encouraged. Tickets are $15 for adults; children under 12 and Keepers of the Light are admitted free of charge. It’s recommended that you purchase tickets in advance in the Lighthouse Museum Store or online at coastalgeorgiahistory.org. Present your receipt at the ticket gate the evening of the concert to receive an admission sticker. No cash will be accepted at the gate. Tickets are non-refundable. Concerts are cancelled for inclement weather, so be sure to follow the Society’s Facebook page and check their website or news and weather updates during the concert season. Plan to bring your lawn chairs and blankets and settle in for a musical evening with friends under the stars.
If all of that information doesn’t convince you that we have a thriving local music scene, you’ll just have to come out and hear for yourself. Bookmark the EIL website so you’ll have the I’m With the Band blog and the events calendar at your fingertips, follow the I’m With the Band social media accounts, and sign up for the EIL Insider e-newsletter to get info about community events and live music delivered right to your inbox weekly. We’re passionate about music and want to make sure you don’t miss a beat.
