Georgia Museum of Art - Athens, GA
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Museum History
The Georgia Museum of Art has rapidly become a significant resource for
the university, the state, and the southeastern region. Founded in 1945, the Georgia
Museum of Art was established with 100 paintings donated by Alfred H. Holbrook, a retired
attorney from New York. Collaborating with Professor Lamar Dodd, head of the University of
Georgia's department of art, in 1945, Mr. Holbrook sought space for the collection in the
basement of the old university library. The basement officially opened to the public as a
museum on November 8, 1948. After the Ilah Dunlap Little Memorial Library was completed in
1955, renovations to the old library building began. Constructed in 1907, the library
required many modifications before it could house works of art. The upper level became
three exhibition galleries with alcoves; the lower level was converted to offices for the
administrative staff. On January 28, 1958, the remodeled building opened to the public.
The overwhelming response to the museum and its popularity around the state prompted the
State Legislature to designate the museum the official state museum of art in 1982. The
generosity of the Friends and supporters of the Georgia Museum of Art have contributed to
years of growth that have seen the permanent collection increase from the initial 100
donated paintings to over 7,000 objects.
Building Features
Designed by Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback and Associates of Atlanta,
Georgia, the museum has 52,000 square feet with 9,000 feet of gallery space. The first
floor of the new building holds the 200-seat M. Smith Griffith Auditorium where lectures,
films, workshops, and dance recitals are held. In addition, there is the Ed and Phoebe
Forio Studio Classroom for educational programs, the On Display Café, a large museum
shop, and a spacious lobby for receptions. The second floor houses ten galleries named in
honor of generous patrons of the museum including: the Lamar Dodd Gallery; the Rachel
Cosby Conway Gallery; the Alfred Heber Holbrook Gallery, named after the museum's founder;
the Knox Gallery of Prints and Drawings, gift of George-Ann and Boone Knox; and the Samuel
H. Kress Gallery; all located in the C.L. Morehead, Jr. Wing, devoted to exhibitions from
the permanent collection. Also on this floor are the Martha and Eugene Odum Gallery of
Decorative Arts; the Philip Henry Alston, Jr. Gallery and the Virginia and Alfred Kennedy
Gallery for temporary exhibitions; the Letitia and Rowland Radford Study Collection
Gallery; and the Martha Thompson Dinos Gallery. The second floor also features an
audio/visual theater given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Gordon Dudley by Mr. Clarence
R. McLanahan and Mrs. Dorothy Dudley McLanahan.
Non-gallery spaces include the Louis T. Griffith Teacher Resource Center;
the Patricia I. Cooper Office of Secretary to the Director; the Mullins Family Director's
Suite; the Mark and Debra Callaway Department of Prints and Drawings; and the S. William
and Leona Pelletier Center for the Study of Prints and Drawings. In addition, there is a
docent lounge and a 3,000-volume art reference library.
Phase II of the new Georgia Museum of Art will include additional
classrooms, a photography studio, a conservation lab, expanded gallery and storage spaces,
and a sculpture court.
The Georgia Museum of Art is a resource for teaching and research in the
fine arts, which is used by staff, scholars, and students providing educational programs
and traveling exhibitions to the community, state, region, and nation.
Museum Times and Information
Mailing Address:
Georgia Museum of Art
90 Carlton Street
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-6719
Phone: (706) 542-GMOA
Fax: (706) 542-1051
TDD: (706) 542-1007 (business hours only)
Exhibition line: (706) 542-3254
Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed most state and federal holidays including:
Memorial Day - May 29
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - September 4
Christmas - December 24 and 25
New Year's - December 31 and January 1
MLK Day - January 15
Admission is free; suggested donation of $1
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