The small town of Winterville, located within the unified Athens-Clarke County while maintaining its own government and its own identity, has been expanding its art and culture offerings. Since 2016, the Winterville Cultural Center has operated in what was originally Winterville High School, a beautiful historic structure built in 1896. It offers space to rent and regular art classes, yoga, mahjong, chess club and other social activities.
In 2024, the cultural center opened a second-floor art gallery with three exhibition areas. The renovation process was extensive, supported by a grant from Georgia Council for the Arts that allowed the cultural center to add an elevator and a new H V A C system for the second floor. The result highlights much of what made the original building special: natural light, beautiful wood walls, antique tin ceiling tiles, original lights from the school. Athens muralist Marisa Mustard painted some of the floor with patterns, and new track lighting and movable walls allow for a wide variety of art. Judy Hammond, a Wintervillian and artist, is serving as gallery director.
More is yet to come. Another space on the second floor will become the Winterville Museum and Heritage Room, including an oral history listening room, and two smaller rooms will become artist studios. The new gallery will host exhibitions by artists from Winterville and beyond, including juried shows. You can see a full schedule of exhibitions and programs plus find out how to propose shows online at WintervilleCCgallery.com.