The cultural scene here goes beyond live music, encompassing a large community of artists and artisan creators. In addition to painters, potters, sculptors, woodcrafters, and jewelry makers, we also have prolific writers and talented stage performers.
Art paintbrushes
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 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 Crawls” 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 with a gallery roster that includes an outstanding group of professional and emerging artists and offers landscapes, still life and some non-representational works. For more than decade the gallery 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. The Wallin Gallery is the studio and exhibit space for artist Ken Wallin.
In Historic Downtown Brunswick, you’ll find the arts 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. GIAHA also offers classic movies concerts, theatre and dance performances and more.
Art Downtown’s SoGlo Gallery (soglogallery.com) presents exhibits by local artists in their gallery. The Gallery on Newcastle and Blue Cottage Art Market are a few other spots where you’ll find works by local artists on display and for sale.
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 Coastal Photographers Guild and the Georgia Coastal Artists Guild.
Bad Dates at Brunswick Actors Theatre ft Amy Lovin
For community theatre, 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 a Young Peoples Summer Workshop 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 six annual main stage productions from February to December. Tickets include desserts and coffee/tea and the shows are always a treat. The Ritz Theatre is where you'll find the Golden Isles Penguin Project performing their annual 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. It's always a heartwarming experience to be in the audience! There are also special Ritz Radio Show holiday performances that have included "A Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life."
