Mildred Nix Huie (1907-2000) was a remarkable woman: American
Impressionist artist, sculptor, historian, and writer who in 1967 made the Mediterranean house her St. Simons Island studio, packing every inch with her artwork and memorabilia. Huie attended Shorter College in Rome, Georgia, graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Classical Education, and was 1950 Woman of the Year i
n Albany, Georgia. Huie established the Left Bank Art Gallery on St. Simons Island in 1962, beginning a long family tradition of sharing a love of arts and humanities with the Golden Isles community. Mildred Huie's original paintings, the work of her contemporaries, and pieces from her personal art collection are permanently on display in the historic Mediterranean House, built in 1929 on St. Simons Island. The house was built as a design home by renowned engineer Fred Stroberg, and it boasts unique characteristics, such as its possession of the only functioning basement on St. Simons Island! The Plantation and Landmark Rooms of the museum showcase Mrs. Huie’s passion for local history. An avid historian, Huie researched the former plantations on St. Simons and created models and historically accurate paintings, which are on display. Visitors may look through museum archives, which include information on famous people who left footprints on St. Simons/Sea Island, such as Aaron Burr, Maxfield Parrish, Eugene O'Neill, Eugenia Price, Sidney Lanier, General James Oglethorpe, the Wesley Brothers, Thomas Spalding, and others. Visitors may also peruse Huie memorabilia and a collection of rare books in the Museum's Spalding-Oglethorpe Room. New in February 2012, guests may research in the extensive Civil War library, with over one-hundred books on this fascinating event in Southern history. In the Great Room of the Museum, visitors are surrounded by paintings and art works which represent the whimsical side to the artist's vision. This room contains a special exhibit of "Parlor Dolls/A Man for All Seasons." These life-size, soft sculptures were created by Mrs. Huie late in her career and even gained national attention when CBS news correspondent Charles Osgood interviewed the artist in 1989. You are invited to walk through the grounds of today’s museum, enjoy the Live Oaks canopy-covered grounds, abounding with azaleas and wisteria, and catch a glimpse of the enchanted world of Mildred Nix Huie. Visit today and receive your personalized tour of this distinctive museum! The Museum is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 to 5pm, or by appointment any time. It is available for groups' small functions, such as board meetings and receptions, as well as for Artist-in-Residence programs and workshops. For more information, please call 912-638-3057 or 912-638-3017. Mildred Nix Huie's love for the natural beauty and history of Coastal Georgia is reflected in her sketches and paintings, now available at The Mildred Huie Gift Shop at StSimonsArtGallery.com, for purchase as prints, cards, books, and calendars. Gene Grey was selected by Mrs. Huie to reproduce her paintings on canvas, as he captured the delicate impressionistic color of her work. http://albanyhightimes.com/the_huie_family.htm
