Morris Museum of Art

When you think of the South art may not immediately jump to your mind, but maybe it should. One visit to the Morris Museum of Art is all it should take to be convinced that artists of the American South are a very talented bunch.

The centrally located museum seated along the Riverwalk in Augusta is practically brimming with priceless works of art that will have you admiring, pondering and questioning your ideas about art and beauty within a matter of moments.

The Morris got its start during 1985 by William S. Morris, but didn't really find its focus until a collection of 230 Southern art paintings was purchased from the collection of Robert P. Coggins. Since then the niche has continued to narrow and become more refined, drawing in an audience from around the world.

A current collection of over 5,000 pieces at the Morris include painting, photos, sculptures and works on paper from the late 1700's through the present. Genres including still-life, impressionism, landscape, portraiture, African-Americans in the South and contemporary works cover a vast array of eras such as antebellum, the Civil War, early to Mid-20th Century and Late 20th Century.

Because the collection has grown so large, different pieces of art are put on a rotating display so you're sure to see something new every time you visit. Additionally, the museum also rotates eight special exhibits in throughout the year. Check to see what's on display now.

The museum's art education programs have attracted visitors and been a popular request from surrounding schools. But, it's the Morris' Center for the Study of Southern Art that is so unique and appealing to art scholars and buffs. The center houses a comprehensive reference and research library on Southern art for visitors to study.

HelloMetro Tip: The museum also hosts a plethora of other events and activities that go hand-in-hand with its mission to educate and develop a love for Southern art through storytelling sessions, concerts, lectures, artist meet-and-greets and workshops. The museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program and is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

- by Christine Foster, Augusta Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Christine Foster

Christine is a freelance writer currently living in North Atlanta. She has worked as a reporter for numerous newspaper, magazine and online media companies, including the Florida Keys Keynoter and The Sunday Paper in Atlanta. When she's not working Christine enjoys baking and antiquing.