The Ann and Ellis Johnson Gallery of Art was dedicated in September of 2015 to Ann and Ellis Johnson in recognition of their tireless work and support for the arts and for the children of the CSRA. They are an inspiration for our entire community and clearly represent something larger than themselves in all they do. We are grateful for their continued support of the Jessye Norman School of the Arts as well as for their numerous other civic contributions.

One of Augusta’s most influential citizens, Ellis Johnson left this world in January of 2020; only 18 months after the loss of his beloved wife Anne in January of 2018.

Few people have had more impact on our community than Ann and Ellis Johnson. Married for Almost 50 years, Ann and Ellis have selflessly contributed to and served the Augusta arts community with generosity, kindness, and grace. Their love for the arts and their city was an inspiration to all who knew them.

As a founding board member of the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, Ellis helped to elevate the school from humble beginnings to an organization that now serves hundreds of students throughout the year, exposing them to the transformative power of the arts and continuing the legacy of caring creativity and true citizenship.

Ann, a longtime member of the Friends of the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, (FJNSA), initiated fundraising efforts for the school and inspired the community as an avid supporter of various organizations, including the Morris Museum of Southern Art, The Lucy Craft Laney Museum, Paine college, and many more. This visionary couple were catalysts of change in the Augusta Arts community and will be missed and remembered for years to come; without their hard work, the Jessye Norman School of the Arts would not exist.