"....an investment for the future"
Leslie Quinlan
Leslie Quinlan
The Quinlan Visual Arts Center is a comprehensive center for the visual arts located in the heart of the historic district of charming downtown Gainesville, Georgia. A nonprofit organization, it was established in the mid-1940s by artists for artists and has grown into a well-respected organization known for its commitment to the enrichment of the Northeast Georgia community through quality exhibitions, education and community engagement.
In keeping with the mission of “bringing visual arts to life, and to the life of the community through exhibition, education, and engagement." Known locally as the “Q” the facility houses a permanent collection of predominantly American paintings. The galleries host up to 20 different exhibitions annually supporting local as well as national and international artists working in in a variety of media.
In 1946 a small group of artists formed a “sketch club” in the home of Mrs. J. D. Carter, a former student of artist and professor Lamar Dodd at the University of Georgia. The club quickly grew and formally became the Gainesville Art Association in April of 1947. Meeting places for the group varied, from members' homes to local schools and churches, to the Brenau College (later Brenau University) infirmary.
The association members had loftier aspirations for a permanent home in which to create and display their art. They sought advice from Dodd, who gave the group its first public lecture on art. Soon thereafter, members were inspired to plan a public exhibition, which was held the first week of November 1947 in observance of National Art Week. Alfred Holbrook, the founder and curator of the Georgia Museum of Art in Athens and a renowned American art collector, opened the show. Every year thereafter, the association held an annual members’ exhibition, a tradition carried on today each fall at the center. Artist-members representing the surrounding communities clamor to submit their works to this very popular show.
In 1953 the first building committee was organized. In 1955 Leslie Quinlan bestowed upon the association a sizeable donation of bank stock as well as land across from his own home on historic Green Street in downtown Gainesville. This land was deeded to the Art Association as "not a gift," Quinlan stated, "but an investment in the cultural future of the community." In 1962 funds were raised and construction on the first building began. The Quinlan was renovated and expanded in January 2004 including a 7,000-square-foot addition that includes additional classroom and gallery spaces, a conference room, and a museum-quality gift shop.
Both an exhibition space as well as a center devoted to continuing education opportunities in the visual arts, over the years many artists have displayed their work at the Quinlan. Among the early exhibitors were George Beattie, Ed Dodd, and Lamar Dodd. More recently, the Quinlan has exhibited the work of such accomplished artists as Dennis Campay, Geoffrey Johnson, Steve Penley, David Leffel, Basil Watson, Jill and Patrick McGannon, and Roseta Santiago, and such local artists as Gene Coker, Rosemary Dodd, Bob White, Ann Alexander, Anne Brodie Hill, Paula Hoffman, Debra Yaun, and Joyce Hornor. Groups that have exhibited at the Q include the Georgia Watercolor Society, Southeastern Pastel Society, American Society of Marine Artists, Pen Women and upcoming exhibitions planned for the Oil Painters of America. In addition to exhibitions, a full range of courses are offered for those inspired to create art. Beginning and intermediate classes are available for all ages. More-experienced students may participate in intensive workshops taught by some of the finest artists in the country with a workshop taking place almost every month including Nancy Franke, Melanie Morris, Qiang Huang, Connie Reilly, and Debra Nadelhoffer
The Quinlan also partners with other area non-profit organizations to provide needs-based, community-focused outreach to children, teens and seniors that benefit from fine art programs.
At the Quinlan, the staff and board strive to make a valuable, far-reaching impact on the quality of life through the visual arts. A 501 (c)(3) non-profit, the Quinlan is sustained by the generosity of its membership and the community.
In keeping with the mission of “bringing visual arts to life, and to the life of the community through exhibition, education, and engagement." Known locally as the “Q” the facility houses a permanent collection of predominantly American paintings. The galleries host up to 20 different exhibitions annually supporting local as well as national and international artists working in in a variety of media.
In 1946 a small group of artists formed a “sketch club” in the home of Mrs. J. D. Carter, a former student of artist and professor Lamar Dodd at the University of Georgia. The club quickly grew and formally became the Gainesville Art Association in April of 1947. Meeting places for the group varied, from members' homes to local schools and churches, to the Brenau College (later Brenau University) infirmary.
The association members had loftier aspirations for a permanent home in which to create and display their art. They sought advice from Dodd, who gave the group its first public lecture on art. Soon thereafter, members were inspired to plan a public exhibition, which was held the first week of November 1947 in observance of National Art Week. Alfred Holbrook, the founder and curator of the Georgia Museum of Art in Athens and a renowned American art collector, opened the show. Every year thereafter, the association held an annual members’ exhibition, a tradition carried on today each fall at the center. Artist-members representing the surrounding communities clamor to submit their works to this very popular show.
In 1953 the first building committee was organized. In 1955 Leslie Quinlan bestowed upon the association a sizeable donation of bank stock as well as land across from his own home on historic Green Street in downtown Gainesville. This land was deeded to the Art Association as "not a gift," Quinlan stated, "but an investment in the cultural future of the community." In 1962 funds were raised and construction on the first building began. The Quinlan was renovated and expanded in January 2004 including a 7,000-square-foot addition that includes additional classroom and gallery spaces, a conference room, and a museum-quality gift shop.
Both an exhibition space as well as a center devoted to continuing education opportunities in the visual arts, over the years many artists have displayed their work at the Quinlan. Among the early exhibitors were George Beattie, Ed Dodd, and Lamar Dodd. More recently, the Quinlan has exhibited the work of such accomplished artists as Dennis Campay, Geoffrey Johnson, Steve Penley, David Leffel, Basil Watson, Jill and Patrick McGannon, and Roseta Santiago, and such local artists as Gene Coker, Rosemary Dodd, Bob White, Ann Alexander, Anne Brodie Hill, Paula Hoffman, Debra Yaun, and Joyce Hornor. Groups that have exhibited at the Q include the Georgia Watercolor Society, Southeastern Pastel Society, American Society of Marine Artists, Pen Women and upcoming exhibitions planned for the Oil Painters of America. In addition to exhibitions, a full range of courses are offered for those inspired to create art. Beginning and intermediate classes are available for all ages. More-experienced students may participate in intensive workshops taught by some of the finest artists in the country with a workshop taking place almost every month including Nancy Franke, Melanie Morris, Qiang Huang, Connie Reilly, and Debra Nadelhoffer
The Quinlan also partners with other area non-profit organizations to provide needs-based, community-focused outreach to children, teens and seniors that benefit from fine art programs.
At the Quinlan, the staff and board strive to make a valuable, far-reaching impact on the quality of life through the visual arts. A 501 (c)(3) non-profit, the Quinlan is sustained by the generosity of its membership and the community.