Nine Georgia communities will host a traveling art exhibit featuring 28 pieces from the state’s art collection.

The exhibit of pieces from the 1970s to the 1990s, “Inspired Georgia: 28 Works from Georgia’s State Art Collection,” is the first of its kind in decades. The exhibit will feature a diversity of styles, media and techniques in works from some of Georgia’s iconic artists, including Benny Andrews, Lucinda Bunnen, Herbert Creecy, Howard Finster, Ruth Laxson and Nellie Mae Rowe.

“The traveling exhibit is an opportunity to use the state art collection as a springboard for additional arts and culture activities that serve to celebrate and increase awareness for the local cultural community and to increase tourism,” Gov. Nathan Deal said.

The governor said he hoped the exhibit “will inspire visitors and local citizens to learn more about Georgia’s artistic heritage and current artists.”

Over the next 14 months, the following communities will host the exhibit for six to eight weeks each. Note that the dates may change slightly to allow for special events, adjustments and other preparations.

  • Gainesville: Oct. 24-Dec. 8

  • Monroe: Dec. 24-Jan. 26
  • Toccoa: Jan. 28-Feb. 27
  • Summerville: March 4-April 17
  • Tallapoosa: April 19-May 27
  • Jonesboro: May 31-July 24
  • Dublin: July 26-Sept. 11
  • Tifton: Sept. 13-Oct. 27
  • Kingsland: Oct. 29-Dec. 11

The Georgia Council for the Arts, the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Tourism Division and the Georgia Humanities Council are sponsoring the exhibit and will offer additional arts programming to each community participating in the project through collaborations with the Georgia Museum of Art, Living Walls and gloATL.