(Editor’s note: Columns often contain opinions)
Lots of art is happening this weekend with two fantastic parties on the same night only one mile apart.
On Friday at Sacred Heart Cultural Center is the Greater Augusta Arts Council’s Wet Paint Party and at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art is Whiskey at Ware’s.
“If Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Keith Haring were planning a party in Augusta, it might look a lot like what we have in store for Augusta. WetPaint is almost here, and this year we are turning the volume all the way up on local art,” according to a news release from the arts council.
Hosted by Rickey Jones, the event will feature art from more than 60 artists with live entertainment from DJ Herbal Tea Papa and performances by Chris Ndeti and Acoustic Chocolate, along with delicious bites from MFC Catering.
Membership tickets start at just $35 per person or $80 for couples. Register at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/amsf/event/wetpaintparty2026/
From 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Gertrude Herbert, it’s whiskey sampling and art.
Whiskey at Ware’s will feature eight stations to sample high-end whiskeys from distilleries across the U.S. with special guestPeter Thompson, the Master Distiller of Burnt Church Distillery in Bluffton South Carolina, will be pouring samples of both Johnny Fever & Confession.
Tickets are $75 in advance and $85 on Friday.
Also at Gertrude Herbert is the Spring Artists’ Market March 13-21. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 14, it will open to shop the market and view artist demos. Also on display is the work of the Agnes Markwalter Youth Art Competition, located on the third floor.
And for an extra helping of art on Saturday, check out Francie Klopotic’s show, Electric Saints, from 1 to 4 p.m. at APMU 1127 Broad St.
This exhibition celebrates human achievement in the world of art and music while portraying the humanity behind the celebrity. This retrospective exhibition showcases the evolution of Francie’s work in portraits of icons including Wycliffe Gordon, James Brown and Frida Kahlo.
Light refreshments will be served.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
