The Wells Collection

The Wells Collection This page showcases his finds.

Tom Wells has been studying and collecting Southern Folk Art since 1982, both representing established artists, establishing new talent, and lending items from his collection to museums around the world.

https://youtu.be/MrjPRy02bxY
02/17/2026

https://youtu.be/MrjPRy02bxY

Before museums and collectors caught on, Tom Wells was documenting Southern folk artists on VHS in the early 1990s.In this episode, Matt Ledbetter sits down ...

We've recently acquired the balance of the extant work of Wadley-native Willie Tarver. Tarver turned his training as a ...
01/08/2026

We've recently acquired the balance of the extant work of Wadley-native Willie Tarver. Tarver turned his training as a welder to artistic expression, creating monumental statuary. Tarver's work is significant as an outgrowth of Southern migration from the depressed, agricultural economy of the American South to the industrial North in the early 20th century. We're particularly fond of the free-hand torch drawing on the kettle in the center right.

Paintings from the Wells Collection that can currently be viewed at the McDuffie Museum...
12/14/2025

Paintings from the Wells Collection that can currently be viewed at the McDuffie Museum...

Pieces from the Wells Collection on display currently at the McDuffie Museum...
12/14/2025

Pieces from the Wells Collection on display currently at the McDuffie Museum...

Small paintings by Georgia native Richard Roebuck depicting an idiosyncratic view of rural life in the mid-century south...
12/14/2025

Small paintings by Georgia native Richard Roebuck depicting an idiosyncratic view of rural life in the mid-century south, many depicting scenes from Thomson, Georgia.

Artists from the Wells Collection who are currently on display at the McDuffie Museum...
12/14/2025

Artists from the Wells Collection who are currently on display at the McDuffie Museum...

Custom painting prepared by Georgia artist Richard Roebuck for a local client. Call us for your requests!
12/12/2025

Custom painting prepared by Georgia artist Richard Roebuck for a local client. Call us for your requests!

03/05/2025

Auction Highlight: Jake McCord (1948-2009)

Lots 67-69 represent early examples on canvas.

Lot #66: Woman on Bicycle with Cat
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/198715500_jake-mccord-woman-on-bicycle-with-cat

Lot #67: Red House with Two White Birds
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/198715501_jake-mccord-red-house-with-two-white-birds

Lot #68: House with Red Chimney
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/198715502_jake-mccord-house-with-red-chimney

Lot #69: White Chicken
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/198715503_jake-mccord-white-chicken

Bid Live: March 15 at 10:00am EST on LiveAuctioneers
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/348670_auction-premiere

Absentee Bid Form:
https://folkartauctions.com/info/

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 478-297-4969
Website: www.folkartauctions.com

Totem poles originated among native North Americans in the early 1700's, but Totems as symbols of tribes and spirits hav...
08/24/2024

Totem poles originated among native North Americans in the early 1700's, but Totems as symbols of tribes and spirits have been known to religious anthropology far longer. This monumental 20th century piece, by Georgian artist Willie Tarver of Jefferson County, adapts that tradition to Mr. Tarver's experience in the rural South.

This and other works of Mr. Tarver can be viewed in the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, as well as in The Wells Collection. Feel free to contact Tom Wells for more information.

Georgia-born, self-taught artist Richard Roebuck reflects the influence of internet access on folk art. Using limited i...
08/11/2024

Georgia-born, self-taught artist Richard Roebuck reflects the influence of internet access on folk art. Using limited internet service, he was able to create, in amazing detail, the background of this custom portrait--entitled "Dr. T. J. Eckleburg"-- for which he had no other inspiration. Mr. Roebuck is available, through his exclusive broker, Tom Wells, for bespoke and custom pieces. Feel free to contact Tom to meet the artist and arrange for your own original. Interpretations of college mascots are a favorite of Richard's.

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278 Huntington Drive
Thomson, GA
30824

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