Celebrate Clayton Magazine 2019

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Dear Visitors,

Welcome to Celebrate Clayton 2019! Thank you for visiting our annual Art and Fine Craft show, now in its 21st year. Celebrate Clayton is presented by the North Georgia Arts Guild every year during the last full weekend in April. It features a variety of quality art and fine crafts, including, but not limited to, painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, furniture and fiber art.

Each artist/artisan has been chosen from many applications by a special NGAG committee to ensure the best representation of art work available and provide items of interest for the whole family. Highly qualified judges will be presenting awards for their choices of best in the show. So be looking for these ribbons and see if you agree with the judges’ choices.

There are food vendors within the festival itself that provide yummy portable food and a variety of restaurants within walking distance that provide many excellent choices for meals and snacks. In addition to all our talented artists, Celebrate Clayton features a student art show and a “Kid’s Corner” on Saturday where children can create their own art.

There is also a face painting booth and other booths that carry kid-friendly items. There is truly something for everyone. Find unique gifts for friends and family or maybe even that special item you have been looking for - especially for you.

Kathy Ford, the Celebrate Clayton Committee Chairman, and her committee have worked tirelessly throughout the year to provide an enjoyable and memorable festival that will inspire you to want to come back year after year. Here’s hoping you will have a wonderfully fun experience at Celebrate Clayton this year.

With Best Regards,

Tricia Moore NGAG President

Imagine ~ Inspire ~ Create 2019 Celebrate Clayton Commitee Kathy Ford - Chairman, Kim Adams, Penny Bradley, Rocky Ford, Mary Jullman, Mary Klein, Wayne Knuckles, June Landreth, Karon Miller, Joni Mitchell, Tricia Moore, Lynn Roe, Randy Sells, Nancy Skilling, Vince Skilling 2 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

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Photo by Peter McIntosh - www.mcintoshmountains.com

Uncover the Natural Beauty of Our Gorgeous State Parks Black Rock Mountain State Park 3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway Mountain City, GA 30562 706-746-2141 Reservations 800-864-7275 gastateparks.org/BlackRockMountain Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

7 days a week March 16 through December 17, weather permitting $5.00 parking, Annual Georgia Park Pass honored.

Tallulah Gorge State Park 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive Tallulah Falls, GA 30573 706-754-7981 Campground 706-754-7979 Reservations 800-864-7275 gastateparks.org/TallulahGorge Hours: 8:00 a.m. – Dark 7 days a week $5.00 parking, Annual Georgia Park Pass honored.

Moccasin Creek State Park 3655 Highway 197 Clarkesville, GA 30523 706-947-3194 Reservations 800-864-7275 gastateparks.org/MoccasinCreek Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

7 days a week March 16 through December 17 $5.00 parking, Annual Georgia Park Pass honored.

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Annual Celebrate Clayton Art Festival April 27 & 28 Celebrating Fine Art Since 1999

photo by Peter McIntosh

H

urray, Hurray – After weeks of waiting, Celebrate Clayton is here!

Thank you for coming!

This weekend Clayton and Rabun County is proud to host our most popular art and fine crafts festival known simply as Celebrate Clayton, presented by the North Georgia Arts Guild. This is the premier spring event featuring the Artist Market on Main Street, Live Music at the Rock House, Kid’s Art Activities in Veteran’s Park, and festival food throughout.

North and South Main has been transformed into a pedestrian way. Festive canopies now line the center of the street. You’re invited to enjoy great shopping in the Artist Market where over 100 artists provide you with the best art and fine crafts from across the region. Truly, something for everyone, every interest, every taste, every pocket book, every holiday, and every celebration.

Exhibiting artists offer you water color, oil, pastel and encaustic paintings; wildlife and nature photography; functional and whimsical pottery; folk-art; jewelry of all description; turned wood; furniture and décor for the cabin, deck, porch; garden art; and much, much more.

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Many favorite artists have returned this year, to name a few: Roger and Gail Marcengill - forged iron and copper work; Deborah Weinelt – copper jewelry; Jami Pederson , Marcia Scroggs and Carolyn Simmons – pottery; Beth and Butcher Martofel – metal yard art; Jerry Williamson – inlaid wooden boxes; Danny Young – photography; Alan Young – dry brush watercolor; and of course Those Kooky Chickens are at it again! Lots of artists new to the festival are exhibiting this year - too many to list them all. Meet them all yourself and congratulate the soon-to-be winners of cash awards for Best in Show, Judges Choice, and Producers Choice awards.

Relax in an easy chair and enjoy live music on the Rock House lawn. The great line-up this year includes several performers returning to the Rock House stage: Sweet Charity, Mat Fried, Rabun County High School Band Ensemble, and Michael Jacobs. You’ll also hear many musicians who are new to the festival: Dart Fifer - steel drums; and singers, Bryant Tench, Back Woods Soul, Doug Weiss, and Blind Cider - Martha and Gary Alexander. Hank Belew is providing our sound system once again.

Kids are sure to have a fun art experience in the activity corner in Veterans Park; guided by Rabun County High School Students; and sponsored by the North Georgia Arts Guild artists. Then, visit face painter extraordinaire, Kristina Robak and morph into “wild animals” or learn to play cigar box guitar with Mountain Man Music, Les Barnett.

Hungry? Treat the family to yummy festival food. A & P Food Truck serves up burgers, dogs, Philly cheese steak and chicken tenders; A & L Shaved Ice also has soft pretzels: and Clayton Rotary will be handing out free ice cream.

The restaurants on Main Street offer their usual delectable lunch and dinner items – you’ll find everything from beer, pizza and barbeque to fine dining and fine wine.

Even better, you could win Free Food and Drink from favorite local restaurants and wineries! More than 50 have donated gift certificates. $1 raffle ticket buys you one chance to win and $5 will get you 6 tickets. You do not need to be present to win. You can buy tickets at the Information Tent in front of the Rock House or from volunteers throughout the festival.

We can’t let you go without a Big Thank You for visiting our town and supporting the festival and our fundraising efforts. Celebrate Clayton is presented by the North Georgia Arts Guild, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Proceeds from the festival fund scholarships for local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and talented Rabun County art students. All donations are tax-deductible.

For more information, visit CelebrateClayton.com or contact Kathy Ford, Celebrate Clayton Chairperson 706-212-9958.

Now, get out there! Shop, dine, and have a great time at Celebrate Clayton!

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Celebrate Clayton 2019 Entertainment Schedule

Saturday, April 27 10am - Opening Ceremony Presenting of Colors by the Boy Scouts, National Anthem sung by RCHS Chorus Ensemble 10:30am - 12:30pm Sweet Charity 1:00pm - 2:00pm Mat Fried 2:15pm - 3:15pm Bryant Tench 3:30pm - 4:30pm Dart Fifer 4:30pm - 5:00pm RCHS Band Ensemble Sunday, April 28 10:00am - 11:00am Michael Jacobs 11:30am -12:30pm Michael Jacobs 12:30pm - 1:30pm Doug Weiss 2:00pm - 3:00pm Martha & Gary Alexander 3:00pm - 4:00pm Backwoods Soul Sound System provided by Hank Belew 8 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

Community Market

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Booth 28 - Angelcraft Bath & Body Boutique Cumming, Georgia Angel Dobs - Offers a natural handmade alternative for soap, bath & body products for 25 years.

Features real soap that is cured a minimum of six weeks, skin care products specifically formulated for face and body, plus a selection of foot care products (Pedi-Cube pictured) to keep you and your feet happy. Angelcraft also creates reed diffuser sets to improve not only the fragrance of your home but to enhance its beauty as well. Angel is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. Angelcraft.biz Angelcraftbiz@gmail.com 215-219-0515 Booths 64 & 66 - Artifactual Adornments – Jewelry Marshall, NC Bryan & Bridgette Davis create unique jewelry from excavated artifacts: American Colonial artifacts from Charleston, SC; and Medieval and Viking artifacts excavated in England. www.ArtifactualAdornments.com bryan.davis@frontier.com 843-817-2769, 843-751-9195 Booth 53 - Baggaraggs - Fiber - Sarasota, FL Robin Ridener – Robin creates one of a kind whimsical folkart dolls. www.etsy.com/shop/baggaraggs Baggarags@gmail.com 941-315-0994

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Booth 14 - Thomas E. Barnes Handcrafted Wood Furniture Franklin, NC Handcrafted wood furniture, framed mirrors, and lamps. Thomas and his wife Jan are members of the North Georgia Arts Guild.

Boyer06@frontier.com 828-524-2022 Booth 218 - The Beaded Babe - Jewelry Hiawassee, GA Sarah Dearing - Handmade jewelry www.instagram.com/the.beaded.babe www.facebook.com/thebeadedbabe1 Sarah_vankeith@windstream.net 10 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

Booth 46 - Becky & Billy Bending Handmade Leather Accessories Cornelia, GA Handmade and tooled leather belts, wallets, checkbook covers, key chains and purses. bendingBecky@gmail.com 706-338-5803 Booth 214 - Bits & Pieces – Snacks Dry Branch, GA Cindy Epps Excited to share Bits & Pieces at Celebrate Clayton! Taste Georgia Grown’s best snacks including peanut and pecan brittle, cheddar cheese wafers with pecans, blue cheese wafers, almond biscotti shortbread cookies, chocolate chip butterscotch walnut cookies, and oatmeal raisin cookies. Try us for a taste of the past! Make room for the savory and the sweet! cbe9785@yahoo.com www.bitsandpiecesfood. com 478-972-2930 Booth 35 - Jim Boxerman – Tooled Leather Forest City, NC Leather accessories including belts, wallets, purces, cell phone cases. www.JimsLeatherCraft.com Jim@JimsLeatherCraft.com 828-779-2670

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Booth 21 - J. D. Burton – Wood Seneca, SC Handmade wood including Cutting boards, bee traps, lazy susans, bowls, handhewn dough trays, turned bird houses H: 864-882-2154 c: 864-903-4564 Booth 4 - Calderone Gallery Oil & Acrylic Painting - Dillard, GA Patty Calderone Paintings of flora & fauna, nature wildlife, some imaginative. The Calderone Gallery is located in the beautiful Smoky Mountains along the historic route connecting Dillard, Georgia with Sky Valley, Scaly Mountain, Highlands, and Cashiers, NC. Patty is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. www.CalderoneGallery.com 828-371-0376 pcalderone@earthlink.net Celebrate Clayton 2019 - 11

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Booth 55 - Cane Creek Jewelry Dahlonega, GA Tracy Wimpy – Handmade sterling silver, copper and brass jewelry.

Wimpy32@live.com 678-480-6475 Booth 213 Cates Glass Creations – Glass Art Walhalla, SC Catie Fisher - Repurposed, recycled glass art www.etsy.com/shop/CatesGlassCreations cdfisher@gmail.com 864-710-2356 Booth 225 - Marianne Chastain Handmade Jewelry - Morganton, GA Handmade jewelry using genuine gemstones, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver, freshwater pearls and leather. www.thebluewaterboutique.etsy.com Mchastain1207@gmail.com 561-818-4520

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Booth 49 - Converse Creations – Clay Salem, SC Wendy Converse - Whimsical clay sculptures and vessels. www.converse.creations.com conversecreations@hotmail.com 508-963-4959 Booth 12 - Currahee Twisted Sticks - Wood Toccoa, GA Malcom Sharp creates unique, hand carved walking sticks. Currahee Twisted Sticks was born from a love of the outdoors and a God given talent for drawing, carving and sculpting. Malcom finds small trees that have a vine growing around them causing the tree to bulge and twist as it grows. After drying for a year, the carving begins. Coloring the wood is done primarily with stains; for brighter colors and white paint is used.

The walking sticks are all wood, one solid piece.

Sticks can be custom ordered to a particular species, or even be made to replicate your own pet snake! ashleysharp@windstream.net www.CurraheeTwistedSticks.com 706-244-2329 12 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

Booth 226 - D & B Crafts – Glass Covington, GA Don & Becky Wade – Glass Bird Feeders from vintage dishes, tea pots, mason jars, and all kinds of bottles. donbeckywade@gmail.com www.D&BCrafts.com 770-784-2803 c: 770-298-0333 Booth 63 - Ginny Davidson – Pottery, Soap Cleveland, GA Functional pottery, handcrafted milk soap and body products Ginny_hci@yahoo.com 706-878-8768

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Booth 213 - Devoe Photo Art Walhalla, SC David Devoe - Outdoor scenic and architectural photographs www.etsy.com/shop/DevoePhotoArt ddevoe2@ gmail.com 864-903-5730 Booth 28 - David Dobs – Watercolor Paintings Cumming, GA I began painting in the late 1970s soon after starting my career as an electrical engineer. My favorite subjects include rustic landscapes, buildings and antique machinery. The painting featured here, entitled “The Shed Garage,” is inspired by a scene in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. David is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild and exhibits many of paintings at the Kamama gallery in Mentone, AL. www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/david-dobs.html dmdobs@gmail.com 678-983-9942 Booths 39 & 41 - Dogwood Carpentry - Wood Clinton, TN David Einwechter - Enhancing the functionality and beauty of wood is the basis of my woodworking. No two pieces I make are ever exactly alike, and each piece is individually and meticulously crafted. My creations include live-edge serving boards, kitchen utensils, office products, custom furniture, unique boxes and other high-quality wood products designed to serve as functioning art. My mission at Dogwood Carpentry Celebrate Clayton 2019 - 13

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206 is to create handcrafted pieces that serve a purpose and will look great for years to come. www.dogwoodcarpentry.com 703-217-8674 www.facebook.com/dogwoodcarpentry www.instagram.com/dogwoodcarpentryllc Booth 32 - Kathy Dugan & Frances Owl-Smith Fiber - Whittier, NC One-of-a kind silk scarves and other fiber pieces created leaves, flowers, seed pods, and other botanicals found in the environment. The eco printing and botanical printing process uses steam to release the natural tannins from the plants; then, natural and commercial mordants to set the plant and background colors. This method of printing on natural fabrics, silk, wool, cotton and linen produces beautiful “Art to Wear” pieces and unique home décor.

Nature’s Magic - kathydugan1@me.com Color by Nature - owl-smith@att.net

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Booth 206 - Face Painting by Kristina Otto, NC Kristina Robak - Beautiful Face and Body art for all occasions. www.facebook.com/facepaintingbykristina facepaintingbykristina@hotmail.com 828-342-5435 Booth 20 - Lizzy Falcon - “Big-Eye-Art” Clayton, GA Lizzy’s work is fantastical and whimsical. Themes throughout her paintings are grey-toned girls with one big eye exposed, usually the left, the eye expressing true emotion. The grey tones are used to avoid conveying race or ethnicity, as she feels “all humans should be permitted to relate to them, but they end up with a slight creepy look, and that’s okay.” Lizzy is a self-taught artist and mainly works with acrylics on canvas. Whether Lizzy is painting, sculpting, or creating animated shorts of her characters, she is always creating something new. www.LizzieFalconArt.com LizzieFalcon@bellsouth.net 722-560-7745

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Booth 60 - Freking Pottery -– Pottery Woodstock, GA Donald Freking - Functional stoneware pottery www.FrekingPottery.com FrekingPottery@bellsouth.net 404-626-7355 Booth 34 - Vickie Gibson – Fractal Burn Wood Hiawassee, GA I use 200 volts of electricity to create intricate patterns on various types of wood.

Each decorative piece is unique. vgibsonrn@hotmail.com 706-897-1907

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Booths 230 & 232 - Headwaters Master Gardeners Plants of mixed varieties - Clayton, GA Kathy Booker www.HeadwatersMasterGardeners.com KBooker@truvists.net 770-8418072 Booth 208 - Oleta Henninger - Glass Wind Chimes Eastanollee, GA letavn@gmail.com 706-599-5414 Booth 59 - Clayton Henson - Leather & Metalwork Lavonia, GA Handcrafted leather pocketbooks, wallets, cuffs.

Handcrafted knives and bracelets. hensonforgenleather@yahoo.com 706-391-3766, 706-436-8384 Booth 54 - Higher Ground Pottery & Glass Hayesville, NC Marcia Hogsed creates functional and decorative stoneware pottery. Wheel thrown and slab-built forms including bowls, mugs, baking dishes, utensil holders, wall pockets, trinket dishes, trays, platters and other serving pieces. Unique wind chimes created with vintage dishes, bottles, hand-cut kilnfired stained glass, and glass beads; with handformed copper hangars. Fused glass sun catchers, windchimes, windows, ornaments and vases. highergroundpottery@gmail.com 828-347-3596 Celebrate Clayton 2019 - 15

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Booth 38 - Melvin Jennings – Handforged Knives Cashiers, NC

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Booth 6 - Jason Rizzo Fine Art – Photography Franklin, NC Jason Rizzo is a wildlife and nature photographer, and a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. www.Jasonrizzofineart.com Jason@jasonrizzofineart.com 828-342-5435 Booth 50 - JG Jewelry Creations Hayesville, NC John Gibney - Sterling silver, natural stones, and beads. Lapidary, silverwork, wire wrapping, and beading, techniques are used to make one-of-a-kind creations.

Johngibney@hitmail.com 828-837-3668

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Booth 201 - Terri Johansson – Art Glass St. Augustine, FL Nature inspired glass art panels in custom stands.

Terri is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild and won Best in Show at the 2018 Painted Fern Festival of Art. www.terrijohanssonartist.com terrijohanssonglassart@gmail.com 904-794-0246 904-347-3142 Booth 205 & 207 - Kingsley Street Soap North Syracuse, NY Kent Terpening & Don Gebo – Handmade cold process soaps, lotions; soy blended candles; and other bath and body items. www.kingsleystreet. com Kt11@gmail.com 315-480-3211 Booth 227 - Ladybug Farms - Heirloom Plants Clayton, GA Terri Jagger Blincoe - Locally grown heirloom tomato and other vegetable plants; heirloom Dahlia tubers and other flowers; and jellies. www.ladybugfarms.net Terri@ladybugfarms.net 404-403-1129

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Booth 222 - Jo Ann and Garfield Lail – Jewelry Ft. Inn, SC Handcrafted jewelry, wire wrap and gemstones. www.joannsmushroomcrafts.com 864-525-8086 Booth 209 - Leather by Veterans – Leather Hayesville, NC Keith & Julie Mathews - Handcrafted leather accessories.

Kmathews353@yahoo.com 321-327-9337, 321-258-2361 Booth 57 - Lovelady Creations – Pottery Cleveland, GA Amy Lovelady Strickland - Excited to be a part of Celebrate Clayton, I create both functional and raku pottery, inspired by the North Georgia mountains, nature, and life events. Featured will be my horse hair raku, wine cups, luminaries, and more. Special requests welcome. loveladycreations@gmail.com www.loveladycreations.com 678-591-6377 Booth 3 - Brooke Major – Sculpted Oil Painting Clayton, GA Brooke sculpts oil paint, challenging both techniques of painting and sculpting and exemplifying light and shadow. She chooses all of her subjects from her childhood experiences: travelling, horses and architecture. For the last 20 years she has divided her time between the USA and France. After studying at the Beaux Arts School in Paris, Brooke moved to Normandy and started her dream of breeding showjumpers. There set up her art studio in a grain loft in a 16th century castle dwelling. www.brookemajorart.com harasdemartinvast@yahoo.com 404-272-8898 Booth 56 - Jesse Marsh – Concrete Sharpsburg, GA Jesse turns concrete into art by molding replicas of various hardwoods to create tabletops. www.jmarshdesigns.com jamarshdesigns@gmail.com 770-328-8841

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Booth 223 - Making Memories Wreaths & Arrangements - Tiger, GA Chris Grimes & Shirley Alley – Silk and natural flower wreaths and arrangements.

Mchristineg1947@gmail.com 706-490-5144, 706-949-5761

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Booth 67 & 68 - Gail & Roger Marcengill Hand Forged Iron & Copper Westminster, SC Gail and Roger return to Celebrate Clayton for the 21st year.

BlackSmithette@hotmail.com 864-647-1132, 864-710-2675 Booth 48 - Just Cuttin’ Up Clayton, GA Farmhouse Signs & Home Decor. cindi@gmlaurel.com 706-982-0216 Booth 31 & 33 - Metal Illusions – Garden Art Columbia, PA Beth & Butcher Martofel - Handmade garden art from recycled, repurposed metal and kitchen utensils. metalillusions@gmail.com 717-449-3172, 717-682-0878

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Booth 7 -Nancy Moore – Glass Hollister, FL Mosaic stained glass windows, hand painted windows and hand painted gourd birdhouses.

Mrs.moorenancy@gmail.com 386-681-8937 Booth 228 -Anna Marie Sullivan Morris – Pottery Cleveland, GA Functional stoneware & folk-art pottery. themuddprincess@aol.com 727-735-1064

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Booth 204 - Mountain Man Music - Les Barnett Rabun Gap, GA Les hand crafts a wide range of instruments from everyday items suitable for the beginner to the

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professional musician. From canjos and panjos to dulcimers and full custom electric cigar box guitars.

Located just north of Clayton in Rabun Gap, GA. Visit facebook for more pictures and videos: Mountain Man Music Custom Guitars.

Lbarnett8956@gmail.com 229-349-0288 Booth 203 - Mountain Mud Musings – Pottery Cornelia, GA Susanne M. Evans - Functional Pottery enhanced to reflect the nature of Northeast Georgia. Susanne is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. www.etsy.com/shop/MountainMudMusings SusanneEvans@gmail.com 706-325-2257 Booth 229 & 231 - Mountain Joys Crafts – Furniture Whittier, NC David and Joy Shepler create rusttic furniture and décor, and Mountain Laurel lamps, perfect for log cabin living. mountainjoyscrafts@outlook.com 828-393-9390, 813-505-8197

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Booth 17 - Natures’s Lights – Oil Lamps Stuart, FL Nancy Johnson creates exquisite oil lamps from Agate Rocks of all colors, shapes and sizes. nancy@homesbuyus.com 772-263-0542 Booth 61 & 62 - NC Mountains Outdoor Furniture Franklin, NC Jerry Stanley – Outdoor Adirondack and patio furniture handmade from western red cedar.

Outdoor accessories and décor. jerrystanley@yahoo.com 828-371-0878 Booth 5 - Ronald P. Nelson – Mixed Media Clarkesville, GA Painting and wood burning on wood. Wall art and table tops on natural wood stumps. celianelson427@hotmail.com 706-894-6244 Booth 65 - Brenda & Kenneth Nicholson – Wood Demorest, GA Kenneth hand turns or planes wooden bowls, wall hangings, magnets, and ornaments.

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Brenda then burns the wood and paints with watercolors. Finally, each unique piece is seal with polyurethane.

Brednanicholson5@gmail.com 706-768-9126

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Booth 1 & 2 North Georgia Arts Guild (Presenting Sponsor) – Various Clayton, GA Members of the Guild will be exhibiting their artwork in a variety of mediums. www.NorthGeorgiaArtsGuild.com Booth 47 - North Georgia Mountain Crafts – Wood Hiawassee, GA Kelly Boothe - Cedar and reclaimed wood, birdhouses, birdfeeders, shelves www.NorthGeorgiaMountainCrafts.com NorthGeorgiaMountainCrafts@yahoo.com Booth 18 - Janie Owens - Painting Rabun Gap, GA Janie is a multitalented artist creating paintings and drawings of beautiful local surroundings. She is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. sjowensart@gmail.com 706-490-4412 Booth 18 - Steve Owens – Wood Rabun Gap, GA Steve is a woodworker and hand turns bowls, wine glasses and bottle stoppers. He is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. sjowensart@gmail.com 706-490-0923 Booth 58 Donna Persinger – Encaustic Painting Anderson, SC Donna is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. heartrootsarts@gmail.com 919-414-2218

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Booth 52 - Rabun County Bi-Centennial Committee Clayton, GA Sharing the history of Rabun County’s first 200 years with photos and stories collected from locals.

Rabun County Tourism Development Authority rabun200@windstream.net 706-212-0241 20 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

Booth 37 - Weylon Robinson – Gyotaku Fish Prints Hartwell, GA Weylon prints fish using the Gyotaku traditional Japanese method of printmaking.

Resq911_97@yahoo.com 832-457-7955 Booth 19 - Diane Rush – Paintings Clayton, GA Diane creates colorful acrylic paintings on canvas. Themes include pets and vignettes of Clayton’s charming, vintage, architecture. After fifty years in commercial art, Diane moved to Rabun County. She is intrigued with the history of Clayton and the rapid changes to the historic downtown. She is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild and serves on the NGAG Board of Directors. Commissioned art work on request. droyaldtr@yahoo.com.

H: 706-782-5616 C: 954-815-5001 Booth 27 & 29 - Melanie Ruffin – Jewelry Franklin, NC Melanie creates jewelry from gemstones and sterling silver jewelry. She is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild.

Melanieruffin@ftontier.com 828-369-6593 Booth 27 & 29 - Tom Ruffin – Brooms Franklin, NC Tom handmakes brooms using traditional methods. Tom is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild.

Melanieruffin@ftontier.com 828-369-6593

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Booth 24 - Judy Schmidt – Pulp Fiction Seneca, SC Unique and whimsical paper mache’ sculptures.

Pulpfiction1949@gmail.com 864-973-8098 Booth 8 - Marcia Scroggs – Clay Alto, GA Hand built pottery and sculptures. Marcia is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild.

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Booth 10 - Carolyn Simmons – Clay Homer, GA Functional, handbuilt pottery with drawings.

Whimsical folkart pieces with a story using sculpting, drawing. Carolyn is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. rdcsimms@windstream.net 706-335-3174 706-499-0173

Booth 23 - Janet Smith – Clay & Mixed media Jasper, GA Clay faces on mixed media and garden art face pots.

Jksmith859@gmail.com 770-595-1977

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Booth 221 - Smoke in the Mountains Pottery (Fun)tional Pottery Brasstown, NC Rob Withrow – On any given day, Rob the Potter can be found throwing on the wheel, kiln sitting, or teaching others about the rich traditions of southern folk pottery. He well known for the “big pots” he loves to throw and for his generous and fun-loving nature. His signature pieces are large, human-sized face jugs with smiles as big and infectious as his own. “Pots are like people,” Rob likes to say, “each one is unique and none of them are perfect.” www.Smokeinthemountainspottery.com robwithrowpots@gmail.com 828-835-3506 Booth 30 - Spirit Spun Design – Jewelry Franklin, NC Joni & Gary Mitchell - A husband and wife team, Joni & Gary Mitchell, collaborate to create classic jewelry designs using semi- precious stone, opals and fine metals. As each hand cut and polished opal is unique, each design strives to enhance the individual stone’s characteristics. Gary and Joni are members of the North Georgia Arts Guild.

JoniSSmith@msn.com 407-810-4800

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Booth 51 - Starry Nites Farm – Fiber Ellijay, GA Mary Palmer – Mary uses fabric, clay, paint, antique finds, and other items to create her 22 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

unique Fiber Sculpture Folk Art designs. Her soft sculpture characters are created with attention to detail, many with handmade accessories to complement each piece to make them a one-ofa-kind creation. Several of Mary’s creations have been featured in PRIMS Magazine and she has won numerous awards throughout the East coast.

StarryNitesFarm.com StarryNitesFarm@msn.com Booth 210 & 212 - Studio Earth Art Whittier, NC Gene Albritton - Soil and mineral painting framed in reclaimed timber. Gene was awarded Best in Show at the 2018 Celebrate Clayton festival. www.StudioEarthArt.com GeneAlbritton@yahoo.com 828-788-1821 Booth 11 - Studio on Willow Creek Glass & Stainless-Steel Seneca, SC Nancy Warmath – Nancy turns functional stainlesssteel utensils into art. She creates glass the lampwork beads which adorn serving pieces and other gift items.

Tsowc12@gmail.com 864-710-1351

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Booth 220 - Susie Q Gourds – Gourds Sylva, NC Susan Davis - Gourd art, painted, carved, wood burned, stained www.susieqgourds.com artlady@gmail.com 828-508-2340 Booth 224 - Julie Taylor – Ceramics & Pottery Franklin, NC I have always loved to create and work with my hands. Pottery seemed to be a good fit and quickly became my passion. Carving and animal sculptures with a whimsical theme are what I love doing most.

A special technique from a Cherokee potter is my black pottery. Each piece is made using coils, hand carved and burnished with a smooth stone. The firing process is similar to a saggar using reduction in a trash can to blacken the raw clay. iburnmud@gmail.com 828-524-7690 Celebrate Clayton 2019 - 23

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Booth 13 - Thistle Ridge Soap Albemarle, NC Jamie Estes - “One of Life’s Simple Pleasures” Soaps and body products. Our handmade natural soaps are made using the cold process method, cured 4 weeks. Only food grade vegetable and nut oils go into our soaps; herbs and spices are used for texture and color. No artificial color or fragrance is ever used. www.Thistleridgesoap.com Thistleridgesoap@earthlink.net 864-710-4404 Booth 202 - Those Kooky Chickens! – Folkart Highlands, NC Karen & Tim Chambers - Colorful, fun, mostly chicken themed folk art. Our folkart pieces are hand created in the beautiful mountains of Western NC with gourds, recycled wood, screen, clay, acrylic paints, clear finish for shine and generous amounts of love and happiness! PO Box 2395, Highlands, NC. Karen and Tim are members of the North Georgia Arts Guild. thosekookychickens.com 828-200-9327 thosekookychickens@gmail.com Booth 15 - Patricia Tolomeo – Fiber Port Saint Lucia, FL Handmade purses created by blending multiple prints to create signature, one-of-a-kind handbags in a variety of sizes and designs. pattyquilt@aol.com 954-579-4698 Booth 40 - Tonya’s Tins Franklin, NC Tonya Vannoy – Tonya repurposes tin into art, creating lamp shades and luminaries, and wall and hanging art pieces. FB: Tonya’s Tins dolphinelliejust@yahoo.com 828-342-2223 Booth 219 - Town Mountain Farms – Soap Hayesville, NC Linda Carringer - Goatmilk soaps and lotions, bath bombs,lip balms, soy candles, soap dishes, sugar scrubs. www.MountainSoapery.com TownMountainFarm@gmail.com 828-361-4943 24 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

Booth 217 - Twine ‘n’ Wine Hampton, GA Chrissie Long - Rustic home décor. Hand painted and twined wine and whiskey bottles, and mason jars. catcity@charter.net 770-630-9031 Booth 16 - Deborah Weinelt – Mixed Metal & Acrylic Clayton, GA Hand hammered jewelry from copper and other metals and acrylic paintings. Debbie is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. bearfootunder@windstream.net 706-782-1653, 706-982-2866 Booth 22 - Lesley Weiss – Paintings Lakemont, GA Acrylic paintings on wood, finished with weatherresistant polyacrylic for outdoor display on deck, porch, boathouse, fence, barn – anywhere!

Acrylic and watercolor paintings and greeting cards. Lesley is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild.

FB: Nacoochee Lake Art Studio heylesley@gmail.com 706-782-1646 678-617-4800 Booth 42 - David Wells – Pottery Roswell, GA Functional stoneware. wellsdr@comcast.net 770-313-4511 Booth 9 - Polly Wells – Sculpture Florala, AL Polly creates a unique form of “clay” from bread and glue. Detailed miniature ornaments and wall pieces are sculpted from the clay. Themes are organic, nature inspired: birds and southern flora – roses, hydrangea, wisteria, and more.

Pollywells28@gmail.com 850-384-6992, 850-384-6992

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Booth 20 Pat Reinhardt Wheeler Folk Art Painting Clayton, GA Pat’s folk-art paintings are inspired by nature and the beauty of the area in which she lives. reinwheeler158@yahoo.com Booth 36 - Danny Wilde – Glass Cosby, TN Danny creates clever night lights from recycled glass bottles. Something for everyone. Hot sauce bottles for those who like it hot; and all manner and variety of bottles to suit the beer drinker, the soda sipper, or the wine connoisseur.

Dannywilde21@hotmail.com 863-255-6200

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Booth 58 - Diana Winuk – Painting & Wire Jewelry Salem, SC Diana makes brightly painted, weather-resistant garden posts and butterfly houses. She also creates exquisitely detailed wire jewelry. She is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild and the NGAG Board of Directors.

ArtisticallyDesignedbyD@gmail.com 919-802-3758 Booth 44 - Laura Williams – Memory Glass Art Franklin, NC Vintage glass wall hangings and succulent planters. Laura began making these specialized frames for herself, as a way to showcase things that had sentimental value to her. She now makes “Memory Glass” for you - each piece with a theme, that can fit into many different decors. Every piece different than the next, with hand selected, hand laid materials. www.memoryglassart.com laura34275@gmail.com 941-223-9109 Booth 211 - Jerry & Nancy Williamson - Wood & Fiber Toccoa, GA Jerry hand crafts marquetry wood jewelry boxes from a variety of exotic and domestic woods; and wood spoons and bird resting posts. Nancy creates handmade range handle towels, aprons, 26 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

stuffed animals and potholders.

Jerry and Nancy are members of the North Georgia Arts Guild. jwwoodenboxes@gmail.com J:706-491-0543, N:706-491-1006 Booth 26 - Patsy & Gary Winkel - Leather, Gourds, Wood Salem, SC Handsewn leather crafts and bags; wooden birdhouses, lanterns and signs; and carved and painted gourds. patsywinkel@att.net 864-944-7590, 864-888-7202 Booth 25 - Alan Young – Dry-brush Watercolor Ellijay, GA Alan is a wildlife artist painting birds of the Appalachians. He began his artistic journey hampered by colorblindness, so began with pen & ink. Slowly he became more color sensitive and advanced to watercolor. His ability to see the world with and without color works to his advantage. His values first, color second approach creates a soft, natural effect, and his dry-brush watercolor technique sets him apart from other painters. Alan is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. www.alanryoung.com www.facebook.com/birdsofthesouth/ vsf@ellijay.com 706-299-0820 Booth 45 - Danny Young – Nature Photography Clarkesville, GA Some of my favorite photo places are the Smoky Mountains, Swan Lake and Huntington Beach in SC, and St. Augustine, FL. Many of my bird images were made in my back yard.

I got my first digital camera in 2005, and immediately my photography began to improve because now, for the first time, I could afford make practice shots. I’ve been blessed to make some special images. Sometimes by accident, sometimes by hard work and premeditated camera settings! Danny is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. www.dannyyoungphotography.com dannyoung56@yahoo.com 706-499-9901 Celebrate Clayton 2019 - 27

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The North Georgia Arts Guild Presents

Painted Fern Festival of Art – July 13 & 14

N

orth Georgia Art Guild’s signature summer arts and fine crafts is now in its 12th year. After 7 years in the Lake Rabun Pavillion, we’ve gone uptown!

Always the second weekend in July, the Painted Fern Festival of Art will be at the Rabun County Civic Center in downtown Clayton on July 13 & 14.

NGAG members, fine artists and artisans will present their work, in a broad range of mediums. Their art is as diverse as the creative talents of the 40+ exhibitors at the Painted Fern Festival of Art. You’ll find paintings in oil and watercolor; traditional and contemporary; portraits, landscapes; realism and expressionism. For pottery enthusiasts, our clay artists offer both functional and whimsical creations. Fiber artists show off their unique, one-of-a kind art, for fun, color and function. Looking for bling? Our jewelers hand craft wearable art of silver, copper, glass, and gemstones. Nature and wildlife photographers offer prints and giclée. Glass artists present a variety of art crafted from fused glass and lamp work beads.

The Rabun County Civic Center is conveniently located in downtown Clayton with abundant free parking, and air-conditioned comfort. Admission is free. The concession stand will provide lunch and snacks.

Mark your calendar! For the second weekend in July! We invite you to come back to Clayton, experience our exceptional and popular members’ art show in a gallery-like setting. Meet the artists and artisans of the North Georgia Arts Guild; learn how their creations came to be. Then, at the end of the day, take home a unique piece of artwork and a story.

Painted Fern Festival of Art begins Saturday, July 13 from 10AM until 5PM and continues Sunday, July 14, 11AM to 4PM at the Rabun County Civic Center, 201 West Savannah Street, Clayton. NorthGeorgiaArtsGuild.com.

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Future Festivals and Special Events May 4th Toast of Toccoa Downtown Toccoa, GA Info: mainstreettoccoa.com

June 1st and each Saturday Night through August Ida Cox Music Series Downtown Toccoa, GA www.idacoxmusicseries.com

May 10th - 12th Mother’s Day Gemboree Robert C Carpenter Community Building Franklin, NC Info: 828.349.2090

June 8th - 9th 16th Annual Blairsville Scottish Festival & Highland Games Meeks Park - Blairsville, GA Info: 706.745.2161

May 11th Airing of the Quilts Downtown - Franklin, NC Info: 828.524.7766

June 13th - 16th Taste of Scotland & Celtic Festival Downtown - Franklin, NC tasteofscotlandfestival.org

May 18th Mountain Laurel Festival Historic Square & Pitts Park Clarkesville, GA Info: 706.754.2220 May 25th - 26th 2019 Spring Arts, Crafts & Music Festival Downtown on the Square Blairsville, GA Info: 877.745.5789 May 31st - June 2nd North Georgia Highlands Seafood Festival Mayors Park Young Harris, GA Info: 706.897.6179

June 22nd - 23rd 13th Annual Mountain Fling North GA Technical College Blairsville, GA Info: 706.896.0932 June 22nd Heritage Day Foxfire Museum Mountain City, GA Info: 706.746.5828 www.foxfire.com June 29th - 30th Made in Georgia Festival Towns County Rec Center Young Harris, GA Info: 706.896.4966 30 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

June 29th - 30th Highlands Village Square Art & Craft Show Kelsey-Hutchinson Park Highlands, NC Info: 828.787.2021

July 11th - 13th Georgia Mountain Moonshine Cruiz-In Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Hiawassee, GA gammoonshinecruizin.com July 13th - 14th Festival on the Square Hayesville, NC Info: 828.389.3704 July 13th - 15th Painted Fern Festival Rabun County Civic Center Clayton, GA NorthGeorgiaArtsGuild.com July 19th - 21st Christmas in July Helen Arts & Heritage Center Helen, GA Info: 706.878.3933 www.helenarts.org

July 19th - 27th Georgia Mountain Fair Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Hiawassee, GA georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

August 31st - September 1st Mountain Heritage Festival Mountain Life Museum Blairsville, GA Info: 706.745.5493

October 5th Foxfire Mountaineer Festival Rabun County Pavilions Clayton, GA Info: 706.212.0241

July 20th Appalachian Heritage Festival Downtown - Franklin, NC Info: townoffranklinnc.com

September 5th - 8th, 12th - 15th September 19th - 22nd September 26th - October 27th 49th Annual Oktoberfest Helen, GA Info: 706.878.1908 www.helenchamber.com

October 5th - 6th John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival Brasstown, NC Info: 828.837.2775

October 11th - 19th Georgia Mountain Fall Festival September 6th - 14th Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Chattahoochee Mountain Fair Hiawassee, GA Hwy 17 - Clarkesville, GA georgiamountainfairgrounds.com Info: 706.768.6890 chattahoocheemountainfair.org October 12th - 13th, 19th - 20th August 2nd - 3rd Blairsville Sorghum Festival Dillard Bluegrass and September 8th - 9th Meeks Park Barbeque Festival Rust & Roses Blairsville, GA Dillard City Hall Fairgrounds Vintage Market Days Info: 706.745.5789 Dillard, GA Towns County Rec Center Info: dillardbbq.org Young Harris, GA October 19th Info: 706.896.4966 Fall Celebration August 17th Hardman Farm Historic Site Franklin Area Folk Festival September 11th - 15th Sautee Nacoochee, GA Historic Cowee School Arts Macon County Fair Info: 706.878.1077 & Heritage Center Macon County Fairgrounds Franklin, NC Franklin, NC October 19th franklinfolkfestival.com Info: 828.524.3267 PumpkinFest Downtown - Franklin, NC August 24th September 14th Info: townoffranklinnc.com Crush Fest Wine Festival Mountain Music Day Festival Yonah Mountain Vineyards Vogel State Park October 19th - 20th Cleveland, GA Blairsville,GA Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival Info: 706.878.5522 Info: 706.745.2628 Hayesville, NC Info: 828.389.3704 August 24th - 25th September 21st Highlands Village Square Cherokee Heritage Festival October 25th - 27th Art & Craft Show Hayesville, GA Art-Oberfest Kelsey-Hutchinson Park Info: 828.389.3045 Arts & Crafts Festival Highlands Helen Arts & Heritage Center Info: 828.787.2021 September 28th Helen, GA Big Red Apple Festival Info: 706.878.3933 August 31st Downtown Cornelia, GA Grape Stomp Fest Info: 706.778.8585 October 26th - 27th Paradise Hills Winery Resort www.corneliageorgia.org 42nd Annual Toccoa Blairsville, GA Harvest Festival www.paradisehillsga.com Downtown Toccoa, GA Info: 706.898.5777 mainstreettoccoa.com July 20th - 21st Butternut Creek Festival Meeks Park Blairsville, GA ButternutCreekFestival.com

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An Invitation to Come Again

F

or two action-packed days at the end of April each year, Main Street in downtown Clayton becomes a field of pop-up tents more plentiful than a crop of toadstools, a potpourri of arts, crafts, plants, and food booths, and many hundreds, thousands even, of warm bodies.

It’s called “Celebrate Clayton,” and for the past nineteen years, exhibitors and viewers alike have descended on Clayton during the last weekend in April to partake in this festival of creativity, gardening and culinary arts.

But Clayton, and greater Rabun County, are more than festival central. For the other 363 days of the year, unless it happens to be Leap Year which adds one additional day, Clayton assumes a totally different persona. It’s one you need to return to discover after the tents have been folded, and Main Street has morphed back into its usual multi-cultural thoroughfare.

“Celebrate Clayton” celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year, is the signature event of the downtown area. Fortunately for townsfolk and visitors alike, it doesn’t begin to define this town that has existed since before 1823, when the area that today is downtown Clayton, was known as Dividings.

Think of the town as the hub of a wheel, and the outlying areas of Rabun County as the spokes. Start at the hub, in downtown Clayton, because there’s more than enough to keep you busy, entertained and well-fed for days on end. And that’s the beauty of Clayton, there’s no beginning and no ending. Instead, jump in where you are, take a break when you’re ready, then pick back up again.

Downtown is an historic business district that’s seen progress and preservation going hand-in-hand over the years. Rabun County is the 34 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

state’s farm-to-table capital, and the numerous eateries that populate the four blocks on Main Street take advantage of the easy availability of locally-grown / produced food stuffs when planning their menus. It’s possible to find all three meals of the day in the downtown, between those establishments on the main drag and those on the side streets. What’s more, all are within easy walking distance.

Downtown Clayton is a pedestrian paradise. Park your car and walk.

Rabun County is famous for the many artists who make their homes and ply their crafts in this northeastern corner of Georgia. About the only thing as prevalent as food downtown are the possibilities to see firsthand and even buy fine arts and other byproducts of these artisans, who create for those who see and want to buy. Check out the galleries that represent many of these artists and let the magnificence of this abundance of creativity sweep you under its spell. Then buy a souvenir to take home to remember your visit, whether it’s your first time or fiftieth time.

But there’s still more to recommend this varied metropolis with the smalltown feel. On the first Saturday evening in December, join the crowds that line the sidewalks downtown to watch the essence of Christmas in action, when the annual Christmas parade hits the streets, with the jolly ol’ man himself bringing up the rear. Sort to takes you back to earlier, simpler times.

Celebrate Clayton 2019 - 35

Also during the yuletide season, merchants in the downtown maintain expanded hours on selected weekends, when it’s possible to shop and dine and visit against a backdrop of Christmas decoration and magic.

Carolers on street corners and the opportunities to enjoy hot drinks make for a special evening out.

At other times during the year, you can celebrate Mardi Gras in the hills of Rabun County. New Orleans with all its frivolity during the carnival season has nothing on Clayton. And at yet other times, the “Clayton Crawl” offers still more reasons to visit downtown to shop, to meet with friends new and old, to enjoy cuisine especially for the evening, and to leave feeling so relaxed.

In between all these opportunities, take time to leave the hub for a short time to explore the spokes. Aside from opportunities to hike the beautiful mountains that surround Clayton, almost cradling the town and its many attractions, there’s more. In this community of three recreational lakes, you’ll find ample watersports and other related attractions.

Rabun County boasts one of the few remaining operational drive-in movies that’s open during the warm-weather season. Fancy a bottle of fine wine?

Rabun County is home to several grape-growing, wine-making operations, many of which offer tours and tasting opportunities. You can buy fresh, locally-grown veggies during the season, and community theater and

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other special performing arts productions dot the calendar throughout the year.

Enjoy yourself immensely at Celebrate Clayton, but remember, this two-day downtown festival is but one small part of the personality of this town that used to be called Dividings. Now it’s just the opposite. It should be called “Coming together.”

During the remainder of the year, check out downtown Clayton. Enjoy the town hub for itself. Travel the spokes of the wheel to experience all that Rabun offers.

Then finish off your trip back downtown, where, against the darkness of the night, you can glimpse a lighted cross high up on Black Rock Mountain.

(And if you want to know the story behind the cross, just ask.)

Clayton is more than just Celebrate Clayton. You’ll need to come back to discover how much more.

By John Shivers - Photos by Carol Wilson

Where to Eat in Clayton, Georgia

52 Main Deli Breakfast & Brunch, Soup & Sandwiches 52 N. Main St. Clayton, GA Bella’s Steaks, Pasta & More 92 Plaza Way Clayton, GA 706-960-9185 Clarks on Main Restaurant & Bar w/ Rooftop Dining 88 N. Main St. Clayton, GA 706-212-0101 Clayton Cafe Southern Cuisine 50 North Main St. Clayton, GA 706-782-5435 Clayton Pharmacy Old-Fashioned Soda Fountain 100 S. Main St. Clayton, GA Fortify Kitchen & Bar

Fortify Kitchen & Bar Contemporary Farm to Table 69 N. Main St. Clayton, GA 706-782-0050 Fortify Pi Pizza, Pasta, Sandwiches 69 N. Main St. Ste A Clayton, GA 706-782-0079 Fromage & Other Fine Foods 31 Earl Street Clayton, GA 706-212-7349 Grapes & Beans Restaurant, Wine & Coffee Shop 42 East Savannah St. Clayton, GA 706.212.0020 Henry’s Restaurant Southern Buffet 1957 Hwy 441 S. Clayton, GA 706-782-3533 Ishy’s Grill Fresh Food with Flair 36 C Stave Mill St. Clayton, GA 706-782-2303 Mama G’s Authentic Italian 777 US 441 Clayton, GA 706-782-9565

Manriques Mexican Store & Restaurant 611 Hwy 441 Clayton, GA 706-782-5815 Mishima Express Japanese Restaurant 110 US 441 Clayton, GA 706-782-0045 Rumor Hazit

Oinkers BBQ Barbecue and More Sunday Buffet 2353 Highway 441 Clayton, GA 706-782-7010 Sunday Diner Southern Cuisine 36 Stave Mill St. Clayton, GA 706-212-0312

Clark’s on Main

The Rusty Bike Cafe American Cuisine 677 Hwy 441 Clayton, GA 706-212-2020 Universal Joint Neighborhood Pub and Restaurant 109 N. Main St. Clayton, GA 706-782-7116

The Universal Joint

Photos by Peter McIntosh

Rabun County Turns 200 Years Old This Year!

Help Us Celebrate! Come Often!

North Georgia Arts Guild Host of 2019 Celebrate Clayton

Inspire ~ Imagine ~ Create!

A

rtistic talent abounds in this enchanted corner of Georgia. The natural beauty of our mountains and lakes, and the charming small towns, attracts talented artists of every description and medium. For both the creator of art as well as the art lover, this is the place to be!

Just ask the one hundred or so regional artists and art enthusiasts who make up the North Georgia Arts Guild. All manner of art media, both decorative and functional, is reflected in the group’s roster. Aside from painting and drawing, NGAG artists excel in photography, fiber arts, jewelry, metalwork, leatherwork, pottery, folk art, glass, mosaics, basketry, wood work, music, writing and sculpture. Quite an impressive roster.

The Guild is celebrating it’s Silver Anniversary this year. Established in 1994 by the Clayton Woman’s Club using a Grassroots Grant to create non-profit arts organization with 20 charter members. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. A quarter century later, the Guild continues to celebrate the rich artistic heritage of the region and promote the arts in North Georgia. Our goal? To bring together new and experienced artists and people interested in art and provide them exhibition, educational and social opportunities in an artistic environment.

When asked why there is such a great art presence in Rabun County, we like to say it’s inspired by beauty of the region, which in turn begets beauty.

Which in turn attracts those with creative DNA to settle and practice their various crafts. And practice those crafts they have.

Members artwork can be seen and purchased locally. April 27 & 28, the Guild hosts this year’s “Celebrate Clayton Art Festival” with many members exhibiting their work. They invite you return to Rabun County July 13 & 14 for their signature summer art show, now in its 12th year. . Formerly held at the Lake Rabun Pavilion, the “Painted Fern Festival of Art” has gone uptown 42 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

to the comfort and convenience of the Rabun County Civic Center. NGAG’s “Art at the Diner” exhibit is on permanent loan and can be seen in The Diner event space on the lower level of the Civic Center.

The Guild and its members care about the community they call home.

Members routinely donate work for local fundraisers such as “Rhapsody in Rabun,” “Paws 4 Life,” and other special events. Each Christmas, members are inspired to decorate an art-themed tree for the “Festival of Trees” fundraiser at the Rabun County Civic Center, always considered to be the “most unique” tree.

Guild membership is open to anyone interested in art; new artists, experienced artists and art enthusiasts. Dues are nominal – especially for all that you get.

Simply log on to www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com, download the membership form, complete and return it to NGAG, P.O. Box 2018, Clayton, GA 30525.

Or, you can simply show up on the third Thursday of every month for group’s meeting, membership form in hand, and you’ll immediately be involved.

Meeting central is at the Rabun County Conference Center in the UGA Cooperative Extension Service at 184 South Main Street in Clayton. Meetings begin at 9:30am for coffee and small bites, followed at 10:00am by always interesting and entertaining art programs with guest speakers.

Members receive exhibition opportunities at local art festivals, are encouraged to have a personal Gallery on the Guild web site complete with biography, photos of their artwork and links to personal websites, and have the opportunity to be selected for a “Featured Artist of the Month” article in Georgia Mountain Laurel magazine.

In addition to the 10 monthly programs, which include informative, educational speakers and programs, Guild members also enjoy a membersonly annual picnic and Christmas party.

Despite an illustrious heritage, the North Georgia Arts Guild isn’t resting on past accomplishments. Beginning in 2015, a long-time goal was realized when the group established their art scholarship program. Through it, they will provide educational financial assistance to artistically-talented Rabun County high school seniors.

Another dream the group is still working to achieve is a permanent physical presence in Clayton, where they can exhibit and sell members’ artwork, conduct workshops and hold their monthly meetings. All they need is an affordable, in-town location.

In the meantime, art is happening in northeast Georgia because beauty inspires imagination and creation, and this begets beauty.

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NGAG Member Directory Kimberley Adams – Transformation Glass Clayton, GA Kimberley has been making lamp work glass beads since her first class in 1990. Many years of bead making and jewelry making have followed. She teaches all levels of bead making and authored “The Complete Book of Glass Bead Making” in 2005. In 2010, Kimberly began experimenting with sheet glass and creating kilnformed glass. Today she is both jeweler and glass artist. www.transformationglass.com www.kimberleyadams.com beadtyc1@bellsouth.net Dick Albertelli – Stained Glass, Mosaics, Handmade Pens – Clarkesville, GA tumabby@bellsouth.net Joey Aldrich-Burel - Painting Tiger, GA jbullgator@comcast.net Martha & Gary Alexander – Blind Cider, Singer/ Sonqwriters Rabun Gap, Ga Martha and Gary’s music crossing multiple genres, includes Americana, alt/folk, and Hippie Pop. They refer to their sound as “harmony laden heartfelt acoustic music with a positive message.” Their debut CD, “Paradigm Change,” released in 2016; the the first “Why Go Without,” reached #8 on Cashbox Magazine’s Americana Chart. They enjoy the #1 position in the Singer/Songwriter genre for the region at Reverb Nation.

Martha and Gary play at wedding venues, vineyards and house concerts. www.BlindCider.com madgap0920@gmail.com Billy & Lavada Anderson – Jewelry Clermont, GA Billy and Lavada create clever and unique jewelry from recycled silver cutlery. andersonga1@bellsouth.net

com/terrybarnesphotography 1974titan@gmail.com Thomas & Jan Barnes Handcrafted Wood Furniture Franklin, NC Handcrafted wood furniture, framed mirrors, and lamps. Thomas and his wife Jan are members of the North Georgia Arts Guild.

Boyer06@frontier.com

Anne Autsolief – Jewelry Martin, GA Anne creates highly detailed chain mail jewelry using sterling silver, gold- Mark & Tanya Barton – Photography mbarton2008@windstream.net filled silver, and copper.

I’ve been interested in photography anneauts@gmail.com since childhood, watching my dad, an amateur photographer.

At age twelve, I had my own camera and devoted hours to snapping pictures of anything and everything. At fourteen, Dad and I built a darkroom and I was totally hooked on the art of photography.

During my career as an electrical engineer I found a creative outlet in my photography, while preserving great memories of people and places. My Terry Barnes – Photography main interest lies in photographing Franklin, NC I capture nature’s scenes with realism nature and the North Georgia and at the same time want to bring out Mountains provides an abundance the best that the image has to offer. I of subjects. think of myself not only a photographer documenting a scene but also an artist, Kathy Beehler – Multi-Media always attempting to excite the viewer Clayton, GA and to draw them into my images.

Being self-taught photographer for over Like many artists, Kathy is immersed thirty years has led me to my own style in many mediums: oil painting, of shooting which sometimes isn’t by fiber arts, jewelry and painted the book. I love shooting landscapes; furniture. Kathy is best known for the nature scenes speak to me in a way her whimsical, colorful animal paintings. that soothes my soul. katerbee@aol.com www.tbarnesphotography. photoshelter.com www.facebook.

Linda Bell – Rug Hooking Hiawassee, GA I love everything about rug hooking! Every part of the process: creating a new pattern; dyeing the wool; combining and placing the perfect colors to execute that pattern; and even the finishing the rug, wall hanging or pillow - it’s all exciting for me, every time!

Graceful, curving lines in a pattern feel right to me, but color is the most important aspect of my art. Dyeing the wool the perfect shade or intensity then hooking it in makes a piece come alive - it becomes my baby. https://www.facebook.com/LBhookery/ Nancy Sue Boutillette-Spanich – Painter & Potter Franklin, NC Nancy Sue’s work is inspired by the natural world. Leaves, bark, shells, sand, sea life, and water are reoccurring themes in her pottery designs her paintings. She loves the freedom of design that hand building offers allowing the clay to just flow in her pieces. “Evoking the feeling of movement within my designs in clay and the subject matter of my paintings is of paramount importance to me.” nss_keukagrad@swbell.net Penny Bradley – Painting Lakemont, GA I have been painting and drawing since childhood when my parents provided lessons at the local art museum and with various artists in the community. I earned a BFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Georgia. I enjoy all painting mediums but currently favor watercolor. I enjoy the challenge of capturing the light in my subjects with this unpredictable medium. I enjoy fulfilling commissions of portraits, pets and the beautiful North Georgia landscape. I am always ready to tackle a new painting. jwptbradley@windstream.net 46 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

North Georgia Arts Guild. www.CalderoneGallery.com pcalderone@earthlink.net Joyce Carpenter – Acrylic Painting Clayton, GA Bocajoyce1@msn.com Dick Cawood – Gershon Benjamin Foundation Clayton, GA cawoodw@bellsouth.net Mary Brennan – Multimedia Lakemont, GA mlbrennan@windstream.net Susan Brewer – Words Rabun Gap, GA Susan is a lover of words and writes brilliantly.

She is a contributing writer for the Georgia Mountain Laurel magazine, authors the North Georgia Arts Guild “featured artist” column and other articles.

She contributes human interest and artistrelated articles to the Clayton Tribune newspaper. sbrewer991@gmail.com Megan Cagle – Photography Clayton, GA mdcagle47@gmail.com Patty Calderone – Oil & Acrylic Painting Calderone Gallery, Dillard, GA Paintings of flora & fauna, nature wildlife, some imaginative. The Calderone Gallery is located in the beautiful Smoky Mountains along the historic route connecting Dillard, Georgia with Sky Valley, Scaly Mountain, Highlands, and Cashiers, NC. Patty is a member of the

Karen & Tim Chambers - Those Kooky Chickens!

Highlands, NC Colorful, fun, mostly chicken themed folk art. Our folk-art pieces are hand created in the beautiful mountains of Western NC with gourds, recycled wood, screen, clay, acrylic paints, clear finish for shine and generous amounts of love and happiness! PO Box 2395, Highlands, NC. thosekookychickens.com thosekookychickens@gmail.com

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Silke Cliatt – Fiber Arts Clayton, GA After thirty years of teaching art in elementary school, I retreated from the big city to a small cabin in the mountains where I make art all day, every day, mostly art quilts. I do it for the joy it brings me and those who see the quilts. My end goal is always to uplift the viewer. I am also driven by curiosity and the willingness to take risks. Pablo Picasso said something along the lines of “every day I try to do that which I do not know how to do so I can learn to do it” - that sums up what drives me to find ever new ways to create beauty. www.SilkeCliatt.com silkecliatt1@gmail.com Susan Coffeen – Painting Long Creek, SC Longcreekleaves@gmail.com Sandra Copenhaver – Oil & Watercolor Painting I create “Art for the Homeless,” with proceeds from every piece going to help local homeless shelters. I have always had a deep and passionate desire to

paint, to create art with depth and life, with light and color. After struggling for three years painting with brushes, I began using a palette knife and everything changed. Then and only then, did I feel satisfaction with my creations. So today, much of my work is created with a knife leaving the paintings full of texture and dimension. I also enjoy the freedom watercolor brings.

Many new pieces are available for sale. www.sandracopenhaver. com/#sandra-copenhaver www. sandracopenhaverart.shutterfly.com jasc1397@aol.com Pat Cunningham – Wood Clayton, GA pcham1@me.com Rennie Jones Davant (1929-2018) A native of Atlanta and ardent world traveler, Rennie painted throughout her adult life. Beginning with oils, then acrylics, and finally found her niche in watercolor.

She was a longtime and beloved member of the North Georgia Arts Guild, and served for many years on the Board of Directors. During her long and storied life, Rennie’s works were shown in many North Georgia galleries. They now reside in the virtual gallery at www. northgeorgiaartsguild. com and private collections.

Suzi Davis – MixedMedia, Jewelry, Photography Clayton, GA suziring@ hotmail.com

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Angel Dobs Angelcraft Bath & Body Boutique Cumming, Georgia Offering a natural handmade alternative for soap, bath & body products for 25 years.

Features real soap that is cured a minimum of six weeks, skin care products specifically formulated for face and body, plus a selection of foot care products (see PediCube pictured) to keep you and your feet happy. Angel also creates reed diffuser sets to improve not only the fragrance of your home but will enhance its beauty as well. Visit our store: Urban Farm Girl, 580 Atlanta Rd, Cumming, GA. Angelcraft.biz Angelcraftbiz@gmail.com 215-219-0515 David Dobs – Watercolor Paintings Cumming, GA I began painting in the late 1970s soon after starting my career as an electrical engineer. I began with acrylics, watercolor is now my media of choice. My favorite subjects include rustic landscapes, buildings and antique machinery.

The photo included shows a watercolor painting entitled “The Shed Garage” inspired by a scene in Bucks County, Pennsylvania Many of paintings are on exhibit at the Kamama gallery in Mentone, AL. www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/david-dobs. html dmdobs@gmail.com 678-983-9942 Nancy Duggan – Clay Cleveland, GA njbdfl@earthlink.net

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Celia Durand (1942 -2016) As a young adult, Celia moved to New York from her native country of Argentina.

Her previous studies and degree were in teaching and journalism but since childhood she dabbled in art and crafts. Her move to Atlanta coincided with the advance in digital photography which opened a whole new field and gave her the capability of combining her artistic aspirations and her fascination with computers. Celia was a long time and beloved member of the Guild. One of her many contributions to the organization she loved was developing the Guild’s website. www.pixelgraphs.com Melissa Elzey – Photography Tiger, GA Making photographs is my way of capturing the beauty that my eyes see. I particularly enjoy the scenery along the Tallulah River - any time of the year but especially in the fall. I am overwhelmed by the brilliantly colored leaves framing the river waters gently flowing around the boulders. You can see and purchase my photographs, framed and printed on canvas, at the Rabun County Welcome Center. mmelzey2002@gmail.com Susanne M. Evans – Mountain Mud Musings Cornelia, GA Functional Pottery enhanced to reflect the nature of Northeast Georgia. Susanne is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild. www.etsy.com/shop/MountainMudMusings SusanneEvans@gmail.com Kathy Ford – Mosaics & Painted Furniture Tiger, GA I discovered the joy and release experienced by breaking ceramics with a hammer after thirty years of teaching high school science. I also use stained glass, and glass, ceramic and stone tiles. Often my mosaics frame beveled mirrors. I have donated many pieces to focal fund raisers. NGAG Past President. Chairman of Celebrate Clayton since 2016. ford5050@windstream.net 50 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

Rocky Ford – Handmade Pens - Tiger, GA RFord57@windstream.net Carolyn Gaik – Photography Clarkesville, GA Carolyn has always loved taking pictures while traveling the world for business and adventure. After retiring to the N GA mountains, she immersed herself in studying the art of photography.

Carolyn takes many pictures to achieve the emotion that best captures the moment, processing raw photos to develop the scene as she remembers it, shining the focus on what she wants to share with you, the viewer. www.photoartbycarolyn.com www.facebook.com/cgaik csgaik@gmail.com Dietrich Hoecht – Metalsmith, Big Bang Forge Clayton, GA Dietrich has been creating jewelry; and furniture and sculpture with copper and iron since 2004. He is past president of the Gwinnett Council for the Arts; member of the Artist Blacksmith Association of America; and the Alex Bealer Blacksmith Association. Dietrich’s work has been exhibited at the Madison Morgan Cultural Center and the National Ornamental Metal Museum, Memphis, TN; and featured in “Ironwork: Dynamic Details” and “Ironwork Today 2” Schiffer Publishing. Dietrich’s creations can be purchased at Aurum Studios in Athens, GA. and Soque Art Works in Clarkesville, GA. potsniron@windstream.net Petra Hoecht – Blue Tulip Pottery Clayton, GA Petra has been creating high-fired stoneware utilitarian, sculptural, wheel-thrown and hand decorated since 1979. Apprentice potter to Agaat Blumenthal in Aalst-Waalre, Netherlands and student at the Academy for Industrial Design in Eindhoven. In Atlanta, exhibited at several galleries and the Atlanta Arts Festival, and co-founded the Passages Buford artist colony. Petra’s wares can be purchased at Lotta Mae’s Supply Co in Athens, GA. artepetra@windstream.net Celebrate Clayton 2019 - 51

Charlene Fisch – Folk Art Clayton, GA Charlene paints whimsical, colorful animals on “anything that doesn’t move” - rusted metal, wood, license plates. Acrylic is her favored medium, but she is pursuing watercolor and oil. Her license plate art includes bracelets, stars, hearts. Her license plate bracelets are available at Main Street Gallery in Clayton, Seven Oaks, Lakemont. Unique, one of a kind, wearable, art. charlenefisch@icloud.com

Robie Fisch – Painting Clayton, GA Robie left city life for Lake Burton living in 1994. Always a “crafter” a friend suggested “watercolor” and a new world opened for me. The excitement of seeing colors mix and mingle forming “surprises” on the paper makes time spent in my studio an adventure as well as a challenge.

The changing seasons, the peace and beauty of the lake and mountains that surround me provide constant inspiration and subjects. My whimsical side is found in my Red Fish Fantasy series and the funky fish note cards. fishtalesart@windstream.net

Mary Harlan –Painting, Drawing Clarksville, GA I have been drawing and painting since childhood and became a serious painter after retiring. I enjoy pastels, oil, watercolor, and pen and ink. Most of my work is landscapes with some still life. I have work displayed at the Helen Heritage Center, Sautee Nacoochee Center and in the North Georgia Arts Guild permanent exhibit in the Rabun County Civic Center, Clayton. I am a member also, of the Currahee Artists Guild. maryharlan@windstream.net Neal Hearn – Glass Boxes Franklin, NC Throughout history, the box has held a certain fascination. From a child’s small box of trinkets, to the riches of a kingdom, the box is a container of the imagination.

The magic of a special place for treasures is enhanced when the structure itself is a treasured object.

It is that fascination that drew Neal to craft his unique, one-of-a-kind glass boxes. Neal designs and crafts his boxes using his talents for fusing glass, lapidary, and metal-smith. www.boxesbyneal.com neal@ boxesbyneal.com Carolyn Hill – Watercolor Painting Rabun Gap, GA hcarolyn4621@yahoo.com Lewis Hinely – Oil Painting Cornelia, GA Lewis Hinely is a retired Medical Illustrator. He has been painting and drawing since childhood: first studied drawing at age six; figure drawing at 12; and started oil painting and portrait work at 13.

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After retirement Lewis and his wife Patsy moved to Georgia, where he maintains a painting studio in his home. Lewis is a past president of NGAG w w w. H i n e l y F i n e A r t . c o m lewis@hinelyfineart.com Janet Ihns – Painting Clayton, GA jebirepe@hotmail.com Ken Inslee Photography & Architectural Rendering Mountain City A self-taught computer geek, Ken is interested in all areas of 3d modeling from Architectural Visualization to Product Presentation and 3d animation.

He trained in Photography at North Georgia Tech and found a new outlet for his creative eye. kwi@truvista.net Nancy Jackson – Folk Art Clayton, GA nmjaxon@gmail.com Terri Johansson – Art Glass St. Augustine, FL Nature inspired glass art panels in custom stands. Terri won Best in Show and Producer’s Choice awards at the 2018 Painted Fern Festival of Art. www.terrijohanssonartist.com terrijohanssonglassart@gmail. com Mary Klein – Enamel on Copper Rabun, Gap vlkrie@aol.com

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Robin Line – Acrylic Painting Rabun Gap, GA robinlinemd@aol.com Laura Loveless – Clay Clayton, GA doneroven.laura@aol.com

Tom Landreth (1932-2007) Tom painted life as he lived it. As a passionate fly fisherman, many of Tom’s paintings portray the angler on the stream in some quiet place in the mountains. Tom was an accomplished watercolor artist who uniquely captured the light and the colors of North Georgia in his landscapes and rural scenes. He loved nature, as seen in his wildflower and bird paintings.

He lives in his work and the memory of his family and friends. His beloved wife, June, remains an active member of the Guild. junelandreth@gmail.com Shelly Leitheiser – Watercolor & Acrylic Painting Marietta, GA GreatPaintArt@gmail.com

Susan Markulics, aka gypsesu Artisan Jeweler & Painter Clayton, GA Sue crafts each piece of jewelry with her hands, tools and “whatever I can find to get the unique results I’m going for.” A piece of Gypsesu goes into “everything she creates.” gypsesu@hotmail. com 520.255.4687 Deborah McAfee – Acrylic Painting Sky Valley, GA debbiemcafee2@att.net Carole Young McCollum – Watercolor Painting Baldwin, GA Carole has lived in six States and traveled extensively throughout the country. However, her inspiration and her subject matter has always been derived from her native Georgia, particularly the North Georgia mountains where she has

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a cabin on Goshen Mountain in Habersham County. She strives to capture the timeless wonder and beauty of nature, and to enable people to bring that beauty into their own homes. Carole presently has limited edition prints available, and is represented by the Hollow Log, Cornelia, GA. She also accepts work on consignment. caroleyoungmccollum@yahoo.com Frank McKay – Watercolor Gainesville, GA I began painting with watercolors in 2014. I enjoy finding new ways to communicate a subject using different combinations of pigment, water, and application. Favorite subjects include birds, plants, and other elements of creation.

FrankMcKay@waterandworld.com 770-5307834 Tracy McCoy – Painting Clayton, GA tracy@gmlaurel.com Jo Mitchell – Oil Painting Clayton, GA “Painting is not about how it looks, but rather, how it makes you feel!” Jo’s style is Abstract Expressionist. She chooses oil as her medium, primarily for the color attributes and translucent quality. Color, motion, emotion, depth, balance and composition drive Jo’s work. It is in the process where things happen. yellow.bird41@yahoo.com

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Joni & Gary Mitchell - Spirit Spun Design Franklin, NC A husband and wife team, Joni & Gary Mitchell, collaborate to create classic jewelry designs using semi- precious stone, opals and fine metals. As each hand cut and polished opal is unique, each design strives to enhance the individual stone’s characteristics. Gary and Joni are members of the North Georgia Arts Guild.

JoniSSmith@msn.com 407-810-4800 Tricia Moore – Mixed Media Clayton, GA As a retired art teacher, I enjoy working in several different mediums - fiber, polymer clay, watercolor, and paper/book arts. Currently, I am probably best known for my animal sculptures - tiny replicas of real animals. Some are needle felted using wool roving, and others are sculpted in polymer clay. artgirl715@gmail.com Carol Nelms – Glass, Beadwork Tallulah Falls, GA Carole@southernlightsstudio.com Keith Nelms – Photography Tallulah Falls, GA keith@knowbd.com Eric Nyros – Portraiture Clarkesville, GA Eric paints realist art with a focus on portraiture; it enables him to express the emotions of his subjects and to connect with people. He is always seeking that next portrait, and learning story, because everyone has a story.

Eric attained recognition with a first place for «Bo,» a portrait he entered in the Portrait Society of Atlanta fall juried competition. He and his wife, Kay, also an NGAG member, retired to North Georgia to be close to family and continue the “Art Bug” that started so long ago. ericnyros@hotmail.com kaynyros63@gmail.com 56 - Celebrate Clayton 2019

Sara Oakley – Painting Gainesville, GA oakleyartist@gmail.com David Oppenheimer – Glass Cornelia, GA admin@wildaboutglass.net Steve Owens – Woodturning Rabun Gap, GA Steve is a woodworker and hand turns bowls, wine glasses and bottle stoppers. sjowensart@gmail.com Janie Hamlett Owens – Painting Rabun Gap, GA I have always enjoyed the process of “creating art” and in my lifetime that has had many different meanings. I don’t necessarily believe I was blessed with a natural artistic talent, but I do have passion for it. I have enjoyed success in several mediums, my medium of choice is oils, followed closely by pastels. The beauty of the North Georgia Mountains and its rural setting provides great inspiration and I enjoy trying to capture its ambiance in my paintings. sjowensart@gmail.com Jamie Pederson - Pottery Dahlonega, GA Handmade, functional pottery and garden art. jamipederson@gmail.com Casey & Kristie Perry – Mixed Media, Pen & Ink Rabun Gap, GA Caseyc1209@gmail.com

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Donna Persinger – Encaustic Painting Anderson, SC heartrootsarts@gmail.com J’Amy Peterson – Watercolor Painting Clarkesville, GA jnpkenyon3@gmail.com Cleve Phillips – Kudzu Art Mountain City, GA kingkudzuphillips@yahoo.com Linda Queen – Queen of Art Glass Clayton, GA lindqueen@windstream.net Kate Raulerson – Acrylic Painting Sky Valley, GA kate1544@aol.com Jason Rizzo – Photography Franklin, NC Wildlife and nature photography. www.Jasonrizzofineart.com Jason@jasonrizzofineart.com Helen Roberts – Watercolor Clayton, GA Maria Rodeghiero - Acrylic Painting, Photography Clayton, GA wowmaria@hotmail.com Lynn Roe – Clay Clayton, GA I took a class in pottery years ago, and once I placed my hands on the clay there was no turning back.

Hand building came naturally to me, probably because I was used to constructing objects from pieces, also, because I was drawn to the freer forms hand building offers.

I sometimes work from a sketch, but more often begin to work and see where the clay takes me. I love

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organic forms, texture, and color. Even my functional work tends to have an organic feel. lbrngag@gmail.com Rodney Roe – Pottery Clayton, GA Prior to retiring as a physician, I took adult education classes, gravitating toward wheel thrown work clay, making primarily functional pottery. I also enjoy Raku and making handmade tiles. Since retirement I have taken workshops to expand my hand building and surface decoration techniques.

My work is currently shown and is for sale at Synergy Studios and Gallery in Shelby, NC. potterydoc@gmail.com Tom & Melanie Ruffin – Fiber, Jewelry Franklin, NC Tom handmakes brooms and weaves baskets using traditional methods. Melanie creates sterling silver and gemstone necklaces.

Melanieruffin@frontier.com Diane Rush – Paintings Clayton, GA Diane creates colorful acrylic paintings on canvas. Themes include pets and vignettes of Clayton’s charming, vintage, architecture.

She attended Columbus Art School and Ohio State University, studying under Charles Csuri and Hoyt Sherman. After fifty years in commercial art, Diane moved to Rabun County.

She is intrigued with the history of Clayton and the rapid changes to the historic downtown. Diane enjoys the close-knit art community. Commissioned art work is available upon request. droyaldtr@yahoo.com Bobby Scroggs – Pen & Ink Drawing Clarkesville, GA lscroggs@windstream.net

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Marcia Scroggs – Clay Alto, GA Hand built pottery and sculptures.

Spud2@windstream.net 706-4995681 Lucia Scroggs – Fiber Art, Jewelry Clarkesville, GA lscroggs@windstream.net Randy Sells – Basketry Clarkesville, GA I was bitten by the basketry bug when I wove my first basket in Brownie Scouts – too many years ago to count!

Since that humble grammar school beginning, I have collected, admired and always wished I had the time to create those beautiful and functional objects of my desire. Now retiree, I can finally indulge my passion. The traditional baskets of Appalachia inspire my basket designs. But, in today’s world, I am not limited by local materials, only by my imagination.

Each of my baskets is a unique creation, woven from a variety of materials, styles and methods, and hand dyed with custom colors. rwsells@icloud.com

Carolyn Simmons – Clay Homer, GA Functional, hand-built pottery with drawings. Whimsical folk-art pieces with a story using sculpting, drawing. Carolyn is a member of the North Georgia Arts Guild rdcsimms@windstream.net 706-335-3174, 706-499-0173 Nancy & Vince Skilling Friends of the Guild & Celebrate Clayton Committee Clayton, GA npskilling@aol.com Tom Slavicek – Leatherwork Dahlonega, GA tslavicek@aol.com Roy Smith – Woodwork Murphy, NC grampastoyshop@gmail.com Mary Beth Stager – Beaded Jewelry Rabun Gap, GA mbstager@gmail.com

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Hollie Steil – Oil & Watercolor Painting Sky Valley, GA hsteil@hotmail.com Kim Tibor – Drawing, Painting Clayton, GA Ann Thompson, GWS – Watercolor Painting Hiawassee, GA A Signature member of the Georgia Watercolor Society, Ann has been painting over 50 years. After traveling the world and being a “Sunday painter” for many years, she returned to her mountain roots with a desire to focus on her painting and grow as an artist. She began working in watercolor to break away from “realistic depiction and minutiae,” only to discover she wanted the best of both worlds. Thus, her paintings sometimes focus on exploration and experimentation, then return to a more traditional rendition. atart2010@gmail.com Kathleen Townsend – Painting, oil, Acrylic, Pastel Toccoa, GA Carol Van Dyck – Watercolor Painting Suwanee, GA artistcarol@mindspring.com Paula Van Huss - Watercolor Painting Blairsville, GA pvanhuss_art@hotmail.com Gail Watson, GWS - Watercolor Painting Toccoa, GA Gail’s passion is painting nature using rich colors and combining the many techniques she has learned over the years. Her favorite subjects are wildlife, flowers, horses, and scenes from her travels. She continues taking workshops to assure her paintings will be exciting and on the cutting edge of watercolor artistry. In addition to her membership in NGAG, Gail is longtime president of the Currahee Artist’s Guild and member of Sautee Nacoochee Art Center Her work can be seen at the Sautee Nacoochee Art Center and, The Studio in Toccoa. gailwatson58@yahoo.com Celebrate Clayton 2019 - 61

Deborah Weinelt Copper Jewelry & Painting bearfoothunder@windstream.net Lesley Weiss –Paintings Lakemont, GA I recently began painting with acrylics, watercolors, and exterior wood stains.

I paint on homemade canvasses, watercolor paper, household and garden objects, plywood, and salvaged wood. I am attracted to visual rhythm, and moved by music, love, and the “Shinrin-Yoku” of the North Georgia Mountains and its quiet earth. Painting pulls me in to the moment, calm, and carefree. My acrylic paintings on wood are finished with weather-resistant polyacrylic for outdoor display on deck, porch, boathouse, fence, barn – anywhere! FB: Nacoochee Lake Art Studio heylesley@gmail.com Cynthia Whitney – Watercolor, Pastel Painting – Sautee, GA cwhitney@hemc.net Jerry & Nancy Williamson Wood & Fiber Toccoa, GA Jerry hand crafts marquetry wood jewelry boxes from a variety of exotic and domestic woods; and wood spoons and bird resting posts. Nancy

creates handmade range handle towels, aprons, stuffed animals and potholders. jwwoodenboxes@gmail.com Diana Winuk Painting & Wire Jewelry Salem, SC Diana makes brightly painted, weather-resistant garden posts and butterfly houses. She also creates exquisitely detailed wire jewelry.

ArtisticallyDesignedbyD@gmail.com Van Wunderlich – Painting Demorest, GA vanwunderlich@windstream.net Alan Young – Dry-brush Watercolor Ellijay, GA Alan is a wildlife artist painting birds of the Appalachians.

He began his artistic journey hampered by colorblindness, so began with pen & ink. Slowly he became more color sensitive and advanced to watercolor.

His ability to see the world with and without color works to his advantage.

His values first, color second approach creates a soft, natural effect, and his dry-brush watercolor technique sets him apart from other painters. www.alanryoung.com www.facebook.com/birdsofthesouth/ vsf@ellijay.com

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Danny Young – Nature Photography Clarkesville, GA Some of my favorite photo places are the Smoky Mountains, Swan Lake and Huntington Beach in SC, and St. Augustine, FL. Many of my bird images were made in my back yard. I got my first digital camera in 2005, and immediately my photography began to improve because now, for the first time, I could afford to make practice shots. I’ve been blessed to make some special images.

Sometimes by accident, sometimes by hard work and premeditated camera settings! www.dannyyoungphotography.com dannyoung56@yahoo.com Alan Zarter – Photography Lawrenceville, GA Alan s favorite subjects are peaceful landscapes, lakes, beaches, flowers, and horses. I present my work exclusively on canvas for the look, ease of care, and options to enjoy it without a frame. His exposure to art came from many trips to Art Institute in Chicago, where viewing works of great masters left a lasting impression that “would influence my life.” Alan studied photography through distance learning with Canon and the NY Institute of Photography. www.azfineart.com alan@azfineart.com Sue Zarter – Fiber Lawrenceville, GA zstitches1972@gmail.com

became enchanting expressions of vibrant lines and intense light. In a few short years, Jon developed his distinctive and easily recognizable style. His personality still shines bright through giclée prints of his work, which so perfectly depict his vibrant and defiantly original art.

Jon Whiddon (1960-2008) A self-taught artist, Jon began painting in 1999 after moving to south Georgia to care for his father on his family’s farm.

He was inspired by the landscapes which surrounded him. Taking in the big sky and lost horizons of vast flat pastures and long straight roads, his paintings soon Celebrate Clayton 2019 - 63