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The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts is a premier regional arts center located in downtown Valdosta, Georgia, offering a wide variety of art experiences to citizens of Valdosta, Lowndes and surrounding Georgia and North Florida counties. The seven light-filled galleries offer a diverse selection of works by regional and national artists in approximately 30 exhibits annually. Two of the galleries house permanent collections, including a 600-piece East African art collection and over 30 pieces of antique European Fine Porcelain. With its state-of-the-art kitchen, the Center is available for private rental for events such as wedding receptions and business gatherings. The Center also features a gift shop with one-of-a-kind items created by local artists, including  pottery, jewelry, prints, original works of art, note cards, books, stained glass, wood carvings and much more.

OUR HISTORY

The earliest organized support for the arts in Valdosta began in 1903 with the City Opera House, the previous occupant of the former Lee Street Baptist Church. In the 1920s, a group known as “The Videttes” met at City Hall, then located at Hill Ave. and Ashley St. The group grew in size and influence through the years, becoming known as “Arts, Inc.” and meeting in various churches, schools and homes with the goal of promoting the arts in the region.

The Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission was chartered in 1962 as an outgrowth of Arts, Inc. It was reorganized in 1978 as a private non-profit corporation. Following a successful campaign in 1993, LVAC purchased and renovated the former First State Bank and Trust building. Former Georgia Senator Loyce Turner gave a significant gift to the center to be named in memory of his late wife, Annette Howell Turner. The new center was completed in April 2003 and houses six galleries in 17,000 square feet of space. In addition, the center houses two classrooms, a meeting room, a gift shop showcasing local and regional artists’ works and a state-of-the-art kitchen for culinary classes. The center has also become an integral gathering place for social, business and nonprofit functions.

STOP IN FOR A VISIT

Location 

527 N. Patterson Street, Valdosta, Georgia 31601

Hours of Operation

Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday and Monday, CLOSED

Sementha Mathews

Executive Director

Roy Fricks

Office Administrator

Rebecca Gallagher

Marketing & PR Administrator

Laney Havard

Administrative Assistant

Hailey Rathmann

Art Education Administrator

Bill Shenton

Artistic Administrator/Curator

Elaina Walker

Events & Member Relations Administrator

Tisa Newbury

Administrative Assistant

2023-2024  Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission Board

tina folsom, LVAC president

Tina Folsom

LVAC President
jane burgsteiner, LVAC vice president

Jane Burgsteiner

LVAC Vice President
jennifer powell, LVAC treasurer

Jennifer Powell

LVAC Treasurer
katharine courson, LVAC secretary

Katharine Courson

LVAC Secretary

Janice Baker

CAG President
beverley richardson blake

Beverley R. Blake

Jenne Brandon

Thressea Boyd

Stefani Carroll

Chuck Coker

Vickie Everitte

Dale Flythe

Bob Goddard

Bob Goddard

Courtney Gooding

Tangela Kimber

Michelle Kirkpatrick

Stephen Lahr

Evelyn Langdale

Suzanne Montgomery

Cheryl Oliver

Lisa Posas

Sally Turner Querin

Sally Turner Querin

Chuck Ramsey

Chuck Ramsey

Raymond Schruijer

Adam Setser

Roni King Strickland

Jeani Synyard

Mala Vallotton

Nancy Warren

Nancy DeRuyter Warren

2023-2024  Center for the Arts Guild Board

Janice Baker,
President
Rosemary Brannen
Rec. Secretary
Jennifer Carter
Corr. Secretary
Margaret Mittiga
Treasurer
Linda Grondahl
Art Ambassadors
Jane Burgsteiner
Culinary
Cathie Smith
Hospitality
Judy Bridges
Susan Crago
Bette Jean DAugharty
Angie Davis
Pat Denmark
Mary Ann Drumheller
Jeneane Grimsley
Cathy Johnson
Sally Kurrie
Sherrill Lahr
Missy Sherwood
Diane Stewart
Julie Van Ham

Become a member of the Center for the Arts Guild

The Center for the Arts Guild supports the Art Center in many ways including: Art Ambassador, Hospitality, Education/Outreach, Fundraising/Events, and Membership/Publicity. Interested in getting involved in another way? Let us know!