ART, WINE AND GOOD FOOD ON I-20 IN GEORGIA
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Point of Art Gallery |
by Anne Jenkins
Think the drive from Augusta towards Atlanta
doesn't offer much excitement? You're very wrong. Of course, mention Augusta and golf
springs to mind but ... Augusta has so much more than just golf to offer. The arts scene
is bursting with talent and enthusiasm. There's theater, ballet and an exciting visual
arts scene.
A visit to the historic downtown and their
Artists' Row on Broad Street is a must. The historic buildings are beautiful; some have
lofts above and many have wrought iron balconies. It is an atmospheric area and houses a
wonderful collection of art galleries, coffee houses, books stores and more. Every month
they host a First Friday's art walk when all the shops and galleries stay open from 5:00 -
10:00 p.m. when there's music and fun and wonderful art to buy as you gallery hop.
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Z Gallery |
Why not start at Z, artist Lou Ann
Zimmerman's gallery. Her work is full of imagination and thought provoking, she clearly is
one of the corner stones of the artist's row. Her studio is at the back of the
gallery. Alongside her own art, she displays other artists and plays host to interesting
exhibits, such as the Whiskey Painters of America. Zimmerman tells the wacky tale of an
artist who painted miniature paintings where ever he was - usually in a bar and he'd dip
his brush in his whiskey. Now there's a whole movement and membership (with a waiting
list!) of the club, and they only meet in bars, after 8:00 p.m. and paint tiny little
paintings by candlelight. It certainly sounds like the club to join.
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Gallery on the Row |
Just a couple of doors down, Gallery on the
Row is an artist's co-op with an interesting and fabulous mix of artists, such as
painters Georgene Wright, Barbara Whetsone Fox and Margaret Ann Smith or potter, Betsy
Borgatti, to mention a few. The gallery is divided in to open booths for each artist plus
art hand on the walls on either side. There is a wide range of prices, media and genres.
At the rear, in a bright cheerful studio, you might be lucky to catch Cathy Marberry, one
of the owners of the gallery, giving an art lesson to enthralled students. She conducts
classes twice a week and also holds weekend workshops.
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Art on Broad |
Another gallery with an eclectic display of art
is Art on Broad owned by Kristin Varn and Jim Tar. They offer framing as well and
as an added incentive to visit, they stay open 7 days a week from Thanksgiving to
Christmas.
Other galleries on 'the row' are Schweitzer
Art Glass, Mary Pauline Gallery and Artistic Perceptions. Nearby businesses
include The Blue Marlin, Metro Coffeehouse, Cloud Nine Downtown and The Book
Tavern - used and new book store which is great for browsing and finding that special
book. When the weather is good the taverns and coffee houses set up tables outside. For
more information, Augusta Magazine produces a Metro Augusta arts calendar which is chock
full of arts-related events.
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One of Lillie Morris' paintings |
Broadstrokes Gallery used to be on
Artists Row but when owner Lillie Morris moved out to the country, it made sense to take
her gallery with her. They now are just north of Augusta in the town of Evans. Not only a
fine painter, but a musician as well, Morris is determined to bring art to the larger
community.
"I believe art breathes life and soul into
a community. We're committed to bringing fine art to the residents of Evans," Morris
explains, "Our hope is that by featuring the works of local fine artists, the
developing Evans Town Center will be enhanced with a touch of authenticity reflective of
it's rich legacy."
The gallery features a number of fine artists
alongside Morris, including Gail Smith who paints evocative coastal marsh scenes from her
childhood on the Georgia barrier islands.
Wine isn't the first thing to spring to mind
while heading west towards Atlanta, but there off the I-20 at Exit 172 is the 1810
Winery and Vineyard in Thomson. The complex includes a historic inn, winery and
vineyard tours and wine tastings.
Also in Thomson is Chinaberry Foods owned
by Tommy and Margaret Samuels. They specialize in Southern treats like cheese straws,
roasted Greek pork loin and Red Velvet cake - a 3-layered unique Southern tradition with
layers of cocoa, cream and pecans, pecan squares, snow cookies. At the moment their
building is under repair but you can purchase some of the goodies if you stop for gourmet
soup and sandwiches at Abigails on Main. Another business in town, Peacock Hill,
also carries their products in their gourmet foods section of their interior design
fixtures.
Going further west is the little historic town
of Union Point is 4.7 miles north from Exit 138 on the Hwy 77 N. When you get in to town
at the stop light turn left, then first right on to Scott St., at the stop sign turn left
and you're in the historic district by the railway line.
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Point of Art Gallery |
The Point of Art Gallery and Studio is the flagship of a renewal taking place in
the old mill town. Some of the buildings are under restoration, the city just bought back
it's old movie theater and Union Point is on it's way to becoming an art town destination.
The gallery features about 18 Georgia artists and a couple of regional artists alongside
owner/artist Anne Jenkins. Jenkins is a self-taught artist who uses color and texture to
great effect on large canvases. The range of art is breath-taking and Jenkins emphasizes
"the gallery specializes in stunning, but affordable, art." Jenkins and her
husband, Lee Nelson, live in the loft above the gallery and her studio is below the
gallery. Nelson teaches The Entrepreneurial Artist, a 1-day workshop to help artists turn
their art in to their business, regularly at the gallery and also works part-time for the
city helping it's revitalization efforts.
You can pick up a driving tour of the town at
the gallery. The little town has a rich history, a slew of beautiful antebellum homes,
lovely old churches and a pretty restored 4-room school house with the back two rooms
serving as the town's museum. The museum has an interesting display about the Wayside
Home, a hospital run by the town ladies during the Civil War. The museum is open during
special events or by arrangement.
Take a break from the I-20 for a few miles and
follow Hwy. 278 for eight miles west to the town of Greensboro. Greensboro has undergone a
renaisance over the past few years and is a bustling, pretty town full of interesting
stores with restoration still going on.
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Pecan Orchard Gallery |
One of the newest arrivals is renowned artist,
Cameron Hampton and her artistic family, in The Pecan Orchard Gallery. Hampton's
work is beautiful and covers pastels, oil and sculpture. Her mother, Fran Raindance
Hampton has mystical paintings and her sister, Lisa Hampton-Pepe's, photography is also
displayed. Exploring Hampton's creative work is a marvelous journey and you'll enjoy it no
end.
Genuine Georgia is a cornucopia of
Georgian artisans pottery, glass, wood, books - you name it. Owner Cynthia Smith is not an
artist but she always says she just loves everything artists do. Her love of art shows in
the superb 'handmade in Georgia' selection on offer.
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Painting at Historic Mill Gallery |
Another new artist in town is Nan McGarity
owner of the Historic Mill Studio. She not only paints her own bold colorful
paintings but she teaches art in her studio, and she has guest artist teaching workshops
there as well. McGarity and her husband purchased the old textile mill and are converting
it to condominiums with her working studio incorporated, plus a guest apartment for
visiting artists. When finished it will be named the Mary Leila Lofts.
Between the two towns of Union Point and
Greensboro there's a good choice of eateries from a little hole in the wall joint serving
big portions of freshly made hamburgers to up-market white table cloth restaurants. The
whole trip is a feast for the eyes and a feast for the stomach - a good combination to
make the soul happy.
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Higdon House Gallery |
Spend with a night before heading on in to
Atlanta. There's a special bed and breakfast in Greensboro. The Higdon House Inn -
an astonishingly beautiful historic mansion set in tranquil gardens. Owner Jack Rollo has
worked wonders in returning the magnificent house to it's immaculate condition. But be
warned, call ahead in plenty of time, it's a magical setting for a wedding and is gaining
a wide following.
You'll be rested, refreshed and loaded down
with good art and able to face the big city and it's traffic with a smile.
BUSINESS DETAILS:
Artists Row website: www.AugustaArtistsRow.com
Z Gallery, 1006 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901 Tel: (706) 774-1006 Hours: Tue-Sat 10:30 a.m -
5:00 p.m. Sun/Mon sometimes 10-3, sometimes by appointment. Call first.
Gallery on the Row, 1016 Broad St, August, GA
30901 Tel: (706) 724-4989 Hours Mon-Sat 10:30
a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Art on Broad, 1028 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901
Tel: (706) 722-1028 Hours: Mon 10-4, Tue-Sat 10-6 and from Thanksgiving to Christmas
they're open 7 days a week.
Broadstrokes Gallery, 601 N. Belair Square,
Evans Town Center Blvd, Evans, GA 30809. Tel: (706) 860-6055 www.broadstrokesgallery.com.
Hours: Mon-Sat 11-5
1810 Country Inn and Winery, 254 N. Seymour
Drive, Thomason, GA 30824 Tel: (706) 595-8311 www.1810winery.com.
Tasting room open Tue-Sat
Chinaberry Foods Tel: (706) 595-7397.
www.chinaberryfoods.com
Abigail's on Main Tel (706) 595-7300
Peacock Hill
Tel (706) 595-6999
The Point of Art Gallery & Studio, 604
Sibley Ave, Union Point, GA 30669 Tel (706) 486-6808 www.ThePointofArt.net and www.artistsingeorgia.com/annejenkins Hours:
Thu-Sat 10-5, all other days by appointment, just call and they'll open for you.
The Pecan Orchard Art Gallery, 115 E. Broad St,
Greensboro, GA 30642 Hours: Tues-Sat 11-5
Genuine Georgia, 101 N. Main St, Gereensboro,
GA 30642 Tel: (706) 453-1440 Hours: Mon-Thu 10-5, Fri-Sat 10-7 www.genuinegeorgia.com
Historic Mill Studio, 206 North West St,
Greensboro, GA 30642 Tel: (770) 957-5023
www.historicmillstudio.com
Higdon House Inn, 301 W. Greene St, Greensboro,
GA 30642 Tel: (706) 453-2511 www.higdonhouseinn.com
Click to learn
about Anne Jenkins
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