The Toledo Museum of Art has issued this tribute to Georgia E. Welles.
To honor Mrs. Welles, the museum’s inviting patrons to pay tribute and and reflect on Georgia’s remarkable legacy by leaving flowers around Alexander Calder’s “Stegosaurus” in the heart of the Georgia and David K. Welles sculpture garden from August 16 through August 30. Floral arrangements of all types are welcome though purple was her favorite color.
According to an obituary posted in The Blade:
Georgia E. Welles, 92, passed away peacefully at her Bowling Green, OH, home on August 3, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, David K. Welles; her grandson, Ted Welles; her great-granddaughter, Jane Wellstein; and her sister, Mary Terry. She is survived by her sister, Dee Dee Ireland; brother, Chuck Elmes; and her children, Deke (Hopie), Ginny, Jeff (Maud), Peter and Chris (Rene). She also is survived by 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
The obituary concluded:
The family suggests that those wishing to make memorial contributions consider sending them to the Toledo Museum of Art or The Nature Conservancy. Please also consider a visit to TMA’s Georgia and David K. Welles Sculpture Garden to remember her. A celebration of life service will be private.
Toledo Museum of Art mourns loss of Georgia E. Welles
The Toledo Museum of Art mourns the loss of Georgia E. Welles, a passionate arts advocate, extraordinary collector, and inimitable philanthropist, whose deeply held commitment to the transformative power of art enriched the entire northwest Ohio region in profound ways.
Georgia, a native of the Chicago area, made Toledo her home in the early 1950s when she moved here with her husband, David K. Welles. From the moment she discovered the Toledo Museum of Art, Georgia was enthralled, becoming a devoted member and eagerly immersing herself in ceramics and jewelry-making classes.
Georgia’s love for the arts led her and David to become dedicated collectors. Over five decades, they amassed an impressive art collection, generously gifting many significant works to the Museum’s cherished collections. Among these extraordinary contributions are Deborah Butterfield’s evocative bronze sculpture Second Daughter and Agnes Martin’s captivating Untitled #18, an acrylic and graphite masterpiece. In honor of their unwavering commitment to the arts, the Museum dedicated the Georgia and David K. Welles Sculpture Garden in 2001, housing numerous works from their remarkable collection. Just last year, in 2022, Georgia announced as a gift the most significant addition of modern and contemporary art in the Museum’s 122-year history.
Georgia’s devotion extended far beyond her role as a collector. Her visionary leadership led to the establishment of the Apollo Society in 1986, a donor group dedicated to funding acquisitions for the Museum’s collections. Thanks to her efforts, over $10 million in contributions have been raised, resulting in the acquisition of more than 70 artworks spanning various areas of the Museum; in 2017, the group was renamed the Georgia Welles Apollo Society to reflect her significant contribution. Georgia and David, who served as the Museum’s Board Chair, also led the remarkable $60 million capital campaign that funded the construction of the Museum’s renowned Glass Pavilion. Together, no one has given more to TMA than Georgia and David, not even Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey.
After her husband’s passing in 2007, Georgia’s involvement with the Museum remained steadfast. She continued to serve at the helm of the Georgia Welles Apollo Society, played a vital role on the Art Committee of the Board, and served as the Honorary Chair of the Polishing the Gem capital campaign from 2014-2018. Her dedication to TMA also earned her an honorary membership on the Board of Directors in 2011. In recognition of her profound impact on the arts community, the Ohio Arts Council honored Georgia with the prestigious Governor’s Award in 2006.
Georgia served our community, our nation, and the world in other ways, too. She was on the Board of Maumee Valley Country Day School (where she also served as Chair); the Vero Beach Museum of Art; the Nature Conservancy; and many others besides. Georgia understood that the organizations she supported only existed because of the goodwill of those before her and that they required ongoing support to thrive for future generations. For those who knew her, Georgia was the model supporter—clear in vision, steadfast in standards, unrelenting in execution, and invested in mission. There was no one like Georgia, and she will be sorely missed.
The Toledo Museum of Art, along with the entire arts community, extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Georgia Welles. Her guiding spirit, quiet leadership, and boundless love for the arts leave a legacy second to none.
