About WAG
The Guild engages in a variety of activities throughout the year. Our main focus is service to the community’s youth through co-sponsoring the Chautauqua Children’s Art Festival as well as an “”Art Week”" and “”Art Day”" through the Coffee County High School. We are interested in nuturing the visual arts among area youth and “”growing”" future artists.
Typically twice a year, day and overnight trips are taken to major art museums to view traveling art exhibitions often taking in other points of cultural interest. Field trips are also taken to nearby natural areas with opportunies for drawing, painting, photography and simply enjoying nature.
Workshops are given by Guild members featuring different disciplines and media giving fellow members opportunities to expand and grow as artists. There are opportunities for members to sell their art work in gallery space located in the local Heritage Station Museum. Additional opportunities are available during a Fall Guild Art Show that coincides with the National BBQ Festival “”Smokin’ on the Square.”"
The Guild meets each month on the first Tuesday at 6:30pm at the Douglas Art Center. Further information about Guild activities is available by contacting Connie Cation at 912-3838567 or email: artcenter@accessatc.net.
Chautauqua Children’s Art Show and Festival
In the early 1900’s a Chautaugua Arts Festival was held in Douglas Georgia as a local arts and culture festival. In year 2000 the Wiregrass Artist Guild brought this Festival back to life as an annual event co-sponsored by the Guild, Coffee County Board of Education, and the City of Douglas.
The Festival takes place the first Saturday in March and kicks off a week of cultural activities. During the Festival booths are setup and manned by Guild members, among others, allowing visiting youth opportunities to sample different forms or art. A juried art show is also featured on the same day with entries by High, Middle and Elementary School students.
During the week of activities a local area artist is featured. The artist demonstrates their art form during the Chautaugua Art Festival, is interviewed by local newspapers and tv station and culminated by an artists reception.
Fall Art Show
The Fall Art Show is held in Conjunction with The National BBQ Festival the first weekend in November. The art show takes place in the Douglas Art Center which is located in the center of Festival’s activities. As a consequence of National Barbaque competitions potentially thousands of people will see the show. Many are from out of town and even out of state. 15% Sales go to the Art Center to help provide funding for ongoing programs.
