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
2024-2025 Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission Board
Jane Burgsteiner
LVAC President
Courtney Gooding
LVAC Vice President
Bob Goddard
LVAC Treasurer
Cheryl Oliver
LVAC Secretary
Leslie Beal
Thressea Boyd
Jenne Brandon
Jennifer Carter
CAG President
Chuck Coker
Katharine Courson
Tyler Dallas
Vickie Everitte
Dale Flythe
Jamie
Foster-Hill
Christine Holmes
Tangela Kimber
Michelle Kirkpatrick
Stephen Lahr
Suzanne Montgomery
Lisa Posas
Jennifer Powell
Sally Turner Querin
Chuck Ramsey
Raymond Schruijer
Adam Setser
Roni King Strickland
Jeani Synyard
Mala Vallotton
Nancy DeRuyter Warren
2024-2025 Center for the Arts Guild Board
President: Jennifer Carter
Treasurer: Margaret Mittiga
Rec. Secretary: Rosemary Brannen
Corr. Secretary: Missy Sherwood
Art Ambassador: Linda Grondahl
Culinary: Cathy Johnson
Memberships: Sherrill Lahr
Hospitality: Cathie Smith
Past President: Janice Baker
Beverley Richardson-Blake
Judy Bridges
Jane Burgsteiner
Susan Crago
Angie Davis
Pat Denmark
Mary Ann Drumheller
Jeneane Grimsley
Alison Murrah
Sarah Soshnik