President's Message 
Thank you for your interest in the Jekyll Island Arts Association. JIAA is pleased to be headquartered in the Goodyear Cottage in Jekyll Island’s National Historic District. We welcome visitors to our beautiful, 114-year-old home, which is open from noon – 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on weekends. Admission to our gallery and sales shop is free.
Our Arts Association is now in its second half century and proudly offers educational classes in the fall and winter to members and free monthly winter programs to the public. Monthly art exhibits featuring the work of local and regional artists are hosted in the natural light of our beautiful gallery. Paintings, fiber arts, pottery, jewelry, wood works and other designs created by JIAA members are on sale when the building is open for visitors.
We believe art is an essential ingredient to a healthy and thriving community and are proud of the respect the Jekyll Island Arts Association has among so many talented artists. We’re also thankful to the many volunteers and patrons who support our work. On behalf of our artists and members, I hope to see you soon at the Jekyll Island Arts Association at Goodyear Cottage!
Jekyll Island Arts Association & Goodyear Cottage History
The Jekyll Island Arts Association is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the enjoyment and promotion of the arts on Jekyll Island, including painting, sculpture, wood carving, music, drama, photography, pottery, fiber arts, weaving, needlework, jewelry and writing.
Through a strong relationship with the Jekyll Island Authority, we have the use of and maintain Goodyear Cottage in the Jekyll Island Historic District, where we provide free-to-the-public monthly exhibits, an Annual Arts Festival, the Merry Artists holiday collection and the Jekyll singers. The Arts Association also presents programs on topics in varied artistic disciplines in other venues on the Island.
We are a total voluntary organization where members contribute their talents to exhibit, teach and learn, as well as display their work for sale in the Goodyear Shop.
The Association maintains and staffs a gift shop in Goodyear Cottage with the work of members displayed on consignment. Goodyear Cottage is open Monday-Friday from noon to 4 pm and from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, except on holidays. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Consignees must be members of the Association and are expected to assist in staffing the shop. See the "Goodyear Shop" page for more information.
Jekyll Island Arts Association ~ The Very Beginning!
Founded November 27, 1966
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Angas, Mrs. Joseph D. Baird (Gloria), Mrs. Tallu Fish, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Haglund, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred S. Lill, Mrs. R.D. Marshall, Mrs. Roy Massey, Mrs. J. P. Millican, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Scarboro, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. James Sullender, Col. and Mrs. Leonard Sullivan, Gen. and Mrs. Walter B. Yeager (Helen). Mrs. William T. Carlisle
Presidents: Dewey D. Scarboro 1966-67 - Alfred S. Lilly 1967-70 - Stanley Stewart 1970-72 - Reeseman Fryer 1972-74 - Mrs. Shaw Benerly 1975
Founding meeting at home of Mrs. W. T. Carlisle 10 Austin Lane with 24 members. Purpose: “development of the arts and appreciation” Jekyll Island Authority gave permission for use of the “old Skeet House” for use as Headquarters and a place to have painting classes. Electric bill paid by Authority.
President- Mr. Dewey Scarboro - VP- Mrs. Joseph Baird - Treas- Mrs. William T. Carlisle - Sec- Mrs. J. P. Millico - Building chairman- Mrs. Walter B. Yeager - Publicity Chairman- Mrs. Tallu Fish
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Membership- Jekyll Island residents and visitors vacationing on Jekyll Island. Dues- $5.00/person $10.00/couple. Keys could be obtained form Mrs. Millican for 35 cents each.
Art classes began with 8 members and increased to 12. Benches were purchased.Bill Stakely cut grass and built the fires. (later they had electric heater) Dewey Scarboro donated a large coffee urn and cups. Bill Hendrix arrived in his plane, landed at airport and walked across the street to Skeet. House.
Jan.12, 1967 Judge Hartley. First organization on the island to be given permission to use a building. Judge Hartley said they could use the Skeet House for indefinite period of time. Hartley said should the time come when Skeet House could not be used, he would help organization find another building. Judge and Mrs. Hartely were given honorary membership in the Art Association. - Newspaper Feb. 28, 1969
Up to 25 members in class now. 135 dues paying members on and island of less than 600 residences. Sign in front of Skeet House donated by Authority Director Horace Caldwell. Have held successful shows with considerable sales. Half million-people come to Jekyll Island each year. But they want a place where art by members can permanently displayed. Members thought it would be great tourist attraction. Visitors would be interested in paintings of Jekyll scenes.
Permanent display= paintings, handcrafts, collages, art work done with shells, sculpture and all art forms. Private collections which toured the country could be displayed
Bill Hendrix art class: $20.00 for 6 classes
1) lecture and demo
2) coffee break and refreshments supplied by members
3) practice painting by class members “supervised and modernized by Bill
Current host members cleaned studio.1967 hosted 4 “terms” of classes plus people on waiting list. Evening meetings last Monday of each month will feature talks by talented residents and Jekyll visitors. 2 shows per year. First planned to be outdoors at Skeet House Art Building. Authority (Horace Caldwell) provided a “sand fence” on which to hang pictures which art association requested but was going to put up themselves. It rained. Horace Caldwell moved them to club hotel dining room. “Move the furniture wherever you like but don’t drive nails in walls.” 150 paintings by 20 Jekyll artists. Estimated 500 patrons attended. IN response to art class waiting list 1968. Horace Caldwell, “If you need larger quarters, we will fix up a place at the hotel. Take in all the members who really want to join and we’ll help you work out your space problems.”
Friday Nov. 15, 1968 - Jekyll Islander newspaper - 450 residences 122 dues paying members. First meeting of the year of the Jekyll Island Art Association. Horace Caldwell, executive director of Jekyll Island Authority will be present to open the club officially.”
March 26, 1968 Crane House patio craft show at regular monthly meeting. Shell pictures, jewelry, antique refinishing, carving, driftwood furniture and effects, needlework pictures and glass artifacts. Anyone could enter or display by setting it up by 4:00PM.
October 28, 1968 - By laws of JIAA - Section 2: The purpose of this Association is to develop, stimulate and encourage the creation of arts and crafts and help exhibit and promote the sale of such arts and crafts.
Jekyll Islander March 28, 1969 - Programs: Bill Hendrix told story of art on Golden Isles, history of art association and it’s hopes for the future. Horace Caldwell, Authority Director told of plans for future development of island. George Beatty, executive director of GA Arts Commission told of work and plans of the commission. Display of crafts and hobbies of members and Wood Cowan, cartoonist and water color painter discussed history of cartoons.
Program on Masterpieces of Painting” and separate person- retired architect trends in architecture. Instruction on how to make papier mache gifts and decorations. Lesson in ceramics and pottery making followed by R. R. (Russ) Fiore, sculptor and part time Jekyll resident discussed phases of sculpture and modeling a head in clay to illustrate the talk.
Art in Mexico by 2 members who took a trip to Mexico slides and artifacts. Demonstration by Mary Griffiths Potter Making plus arts exhibitors Gloria Baird and E. L. Torrance 1/28/ 1969
1967-68 Art Show became annual affair. Bank balance was over $500.00. Art created by Jekyll members on exhibition at Crane House, Buccaneer dinging room. In a letter from Al Lilly Fall, 1969 to membership. “It is widely believed that Jekyll Island is destined to become THE ART CENTER OF GEORGIA”. “Just thing what it would mean to each and all of us if one of the old “cottages” should be chosen to house an important permanent State Art Exhibit.”
Jan. 1970 Sculpture classes Russ Fiore. Arts and crafts classes Mary Griffith. Painting Bill Hendrix. Program Oct. 27, 1970. Esther Stewart discussion of “The Art of Illustrating” Mrs. Stewart is illustrator of “Native Flora of the Golden Isles”. She is a mural painter. (Maybe painted mural at Aquarama?)
Stated in Jekyll Islander Newspaper article Nov. 2, 1970 “special recognition to Mrs. W.T Carlisle whose idea it was to start the association. Grace and Dewey Scarboro moved here 1954 and lived in Villa Ospo “among the finest antiques to be found in the state.” stated in newspaper article. Grace originally portraits now landscapes. The Glynn Art Association started at their house, Villa Ospo in 1956. Dewey was also musically talented and was in Ga tech band.
Bill Hendrix was head of art department at Brunswick Junior College. He flies around because he teaches at South GA College at Douglas, in Jesup, Blackshear, Waycross and St. Simons.
July 15, 1971 Letter from Stanley Stewart President of JIAA to Governor Carter recommended the Crane Cottage which was on the tour of houses and used for limited occasions be used for the quarters of a Southeast GA Art Center. Mr. Horace Caldwell Director of JIA agrees with its potential. George Beattie, Executive Director of GA Commission on the art agrees. Mr. Birge Kinnie, one of JIAA directors called on the Sales Manager of Crane Company in New York (to get involved in a material way). Jimmy Carter responded with form letter but hand wrote at bottom “I’m interested in your proposal.”
3/28/72 Arts Crafts Show Crane Cottage “Crane House” Courtyard for paintings. Rooms to left and right of Hall for crafts and photography. Poem written by Gini Benderly about each artist in show.
Arts festival 2 day March 24, 25, 1973 at Crane House. Si Fryer, president. This was advanced several weeks to accommodate winter residents. Their first opportunity to participate.) Committee chairman for Crane House Stanley Stewart March 1973 no limit on 3 of paintings or sculpture. Special exhibit at Arts Festival Mrs. Sallie Wagner of Santa Fe, N. M. showing part of her collection of Beatien Yazz (LIttle No Shirt) work, a now famous Navajo artist. The book about this is called, “Spin a Silver Dollar” by Alberta Hannum.Jekyll Island Chamber music group provided background music.
Entertainment: Valdosta College Choral Group - Brunswick Jr. College Band - Dana Wyatt in ballet - Jekyll Island Barbershop quartet “Riverview Revelers” - Jekyll Island Handbell ringers
There were 1,300 viewers, 210 entries of paintings and other media and 70 exhibitors of crafts.
Letter from JIA Feb. 27, 1974 from Sy Fryer to Robert Anderson, Operations Manager concerning rental agreement for Goodyear. He (Fryer) stated that “…It would be an unbearable hardship, financially to make officers of association individually accountable.” Treasury had $2000.00. Work authority did to Goodyear to get it ready- new roof, wall insulation, painting inside and out, complete air-conditioning.
March 15 or 27, 1974 Incorporation by state of GA of JIAA (Articles of Incorporation) 501 C# and 170 C2March 1974 JIA rented Goodyear House to the association. Two floors have been completely restored. 1st floor- exhibits and meetings. 2nd floor- dark room for camera club, Garden Club meeting room, room for arts classes. The goal according to President Fryer is to have public exhibition each month and membership meetings. Exhibits will be open from 10:00-4:00 daily. Russ Fiore who is in charge of summer exhibitions has announced there will be special exhibition of birds by Athos Menaboni in July. Sy Fryer said in letter to membership: Association is responsible for all maintenance and repair including air conditioning, lighting, janitorial services and other custodial obligations. Must provide furniture. Donations: screen and projector $700.00.
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