On Dec. 1, Gov. Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp honored the recipients of the 14th annual Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities in Atlanta. Among the 10 honorees was Dr. Dennis Skelley of Augusta.
The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Georgia in those fields. The awards are presented in partnership with Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Humanities, according to a news release from Georgia Department of Economic Development.
“On behalf of the State of Georgia, I want to congratulate the recipients of this year’s Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities,” said Kemp. “Georgia is proud of our world-renowned arts and entertainment scene, which has supported our state’s thriving economy for decades. The talented individuals and organizations recognized this year have played a key role in those efforts, and we are grateful for their impact on their local communities and our state as a whole.”
Skelley, president and CEO of the Georgia Rehabilitation Institute, has been a champion of Augusta’s public art effort for several years, serving on multiple public art panels including as vice president of public art for the Greater Augusta Arts Council and receiving the council’s president’s award in 2018.
Over the past few years, he’s been transforming GRI’s building, which houses The 523 Gallery, and its grounds, into a community arts destination.
GRI has occupied its 13th Street space since 2013. The first pieces of artwork on the grounds included several sculptures created by artist Tommy Lyles and Skelley.
“We made a little pocket park to incentivize other businesses to maybe do something with their property, either landscape them or ad art,” he said in a July 2025 article at Augusta Good News. (Read more here.)
Then came Brian Stewart’s murals. The first is the “Love Where You Live Augusta” mural. In 2022, a mural on the front featuring Vincent Van Gogh was designed with selfie-taking in mind. And this year, more murals finished off the back portion building. There’s a gas station on the one wall and a streetscape on another featuring famous artists.
The 523 Gallery features artwork by artists with disabilities.
He’s also commissioned a variety of public art pieces in the Augusta area including Dragon Fly, Chompy the Alligator, Heron Duet, and Fish School, all at Phinizy Swamp, Pillars of the Golden Blocks Sculpture, the Spider lily, Iris and Tropical Dream Sculptures.
Each recipient of the governor’s recognition received a handmade wood sculpture carved by Etienné Jackson of Fairburn.
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 and is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
