The Mildred Huie / Mildred Huie Wilcox Endowment for Arts and Culture honors the life and legacy of a woman whose experiences in art, fashion, and international culture helped shape the artistic landscape of Coastal Georgia. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in English Literature, Millie began her career in New York working for renowned Estonian couturier Madame Eleanora Garnett. Her creative path took her to Rome, where she modeled her designs, and later into the French art world, where she encountered influential artists such as Jean Cocteau, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse.
In 1966, Millie returned to Georgia and settled on St. Simons Island, where she and her husband, Robert Wilcox, expanded The Left Bank Art Gallery into a vibrant cultural destination. The gallery combined local works with carefully curated pieces from France, reflecting their shared passion for art and storytelling. In addition to her work in the arts, Millie contributed to the cultural life of the region through writing, board service, and community engagement, including hosting international visitors during the 2004 G8 Summit at Sea Island. Even after the gallery closed in 2014, she continued to share her love of art from her home, Ferme Saint Simeon.
This endowed fund was established to continue that legacy by supporting nonprofit organizations and educational institutions dedicated to the visual, musical, and performing arts, as well as cultural programming and the preservation of Coastal Georgia’s history. Grants are awarded to enhance artistic excellence, strengthen organizational capacity, and support meaningful programming. Priority is given to organizations whose work reflects and is deeply rooted in the Coastal Georgia community.
Through this fund, donors help sustain a vibrant arts and cultural environment, ensuring that creativity, history, and artistic expression continue to enrich the region for generations to come.
