Warner Robins gallery a place for Middle Georgia artists, community to gather, learn
If you call the Fine Arts Society of Middle Georgia’s gallery in Warner Robins to get information, Leslie Hoops-Wallace will answer the phone nine times out of 10.
Maybe more than that.
If you take the 15-mile drive down Ga. 247 from downtown Macon to Robins Air Force Base’s main gate but hang a right onto Watson Boulevard instead, the gallery is less than a mile further on Commercial Circle.
Take a left from Watson onto South Commercial Circle and head to the end.
There you’ll see Hoops-Wallace’s work and that of a myriad of other artist-members from across Middle Georgia as well as special shows and events. Hoops-Wallace is gallery director but there are usually other members in and out or around for conversation about art and the Middle Georgia arts scene. Aside from offering drawing, painting, watercolor and other art classes there are usually scheduled discussion groups and art history groups to take part in at the spacious facility.
The gallery operates under guidelines for health and safety and there’s plenty of room to social distance. Hoops-Wallace said the gallery was closed for a short period due to COVID-19 but is now open with scheduled activities operating as they are listed on the society’s website at www.fasmidga.org.
“We like the idea of the gallery being a gathering place for artists, for those interested in the arts and really for the community overall,” Hoops-Wallace said. “People just drop in spontaneously but of course we do have our regularly scheduled classes, and activities and discussions. There are times during the week people seem to gravitate to and come and hang out and talk but it’s always a great place for artists and others to just sit around and chat.”
Wallace-Hoops said the gallery is also available to rent for receptions and gatherings, however there is no full kitchen.
The society’s monthly member meetings feature guest speakers and are on the fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
The public is welcome.
Hoops-Wallace said the society was begun in 2000 largely through the efforts of well-known portrait artist Deanna Griffin. Others joined in wanting to create an arts organization geared toward original art and handmade items that also was engaged in outreach to young people and adults to promote interest in the arts.
She said the society was an outgrowth of the Warner Robins Art Association which no longer exists.
Aside from standing and special shows at the gallery, the group presents art shows and festivals out on Commercial Circle. They also sponsor an annual student-youth art show and raises money each year for student scholarships.
The gallery’s current show is called “Dog Days of Summer” and features animals and landscapes. Their next major event is the Occupy the Circle Craft Fair on Nov. 7-8.
Hoops-Wallace said it’s an art show, craft fair, fun fair all in one and that booth spaces are available by contacting her at the gallery.
Gallery hours weekdays are 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 4 p.m. but classes, discussion groups and other activities often keep doors open longer.
If you visit on a weekday around lunchtime, there are numerous lunch spots in the area, including McCall’s sandwich shop right on the corner of Watson Boulevard and South Commercial Circle. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“We have a very talented artist community right here in Warner Robins and throughout Middle Georgia and we’re all working to help make Middle Georgia as much an art destination as Savanna or Atlanta.”
And with Warner Robins carrying the moniker The International City, Hoops-Wallace said the society reflects it with members from faraway places like Korea, Japan, Czechoslovakia and Ghana – to name a few.
Meanwhile, it’s First Friday for downtown Macon with activities at galleries, stores, restaurants and nightspots opening up live more and more live and with online presentations continuing.
A new feature for September is a collaboration with The Creek-100.9 FM who will broadcast a First Friday Macon playlist.
A good place to keep in touch with the re-growing list of First Friday activities is NewTown Macon’s Facebook event page, “September First Friday.” Check there and follow your favorite galleries online for First Friday Art Crawl information, both live and online.
A good stones-throw from downtown on Ingleside Drive, the Society Garden is presenting The Hughes Taylor Band at 8 p.m. on Friday with guest bass player Shaun Oakley sitting in. Taylor is a Macon native playing old school classic rock and blues while Oakley is a fairly recent Macon transplant from Florida – just like his grandfather was: founding Allman Brothers Band bassist Berry Oakley.
There’s live music on the roof at the Amici on Mercer University Drive with another Macon native, legendary guitarist-soul-blues-funk-man Robert Lee Coleman Saturday at 8 p.m.
And for something different, check out Storytellers Macon’s Planes, Trains and Automobiles at 7 p.m. Sept. 8. Come to hear good stories with a connection this time to Bike Walk Macon. Organizers say think concert in the park and bring you own chairs, blankets, snacks and libations. They say social time begins at 6:30 p.m. The event is behind Startup Studios, 1055 Riverside Drive but here’s a hint: the best way to arrive is to enter at nearby New City Church and you’ll get pointed in the right direction. Storytellers also plan to stream the event on Facebook Live.
Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.
What you need to know
What: Fine Art Society of Middle Georgia
Where: 149 South Commercial Circle, Warner Robins, Ga.
Gallery Hours: weekdays 11:30 a,m. to 5 p,m., Saturdays noon to 4 p.m,
Information: www.fasmidga.org, (478) 449-8240