Tag Archives: mountain crafts

The Gourd Place: Celebrate the Art Scene in the North Georgia Mountains

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Come and see why folks call The Gourd Place the highlight of their day in the North Georgia mountains! The Gourd Place is a small art gallery, gift shop, and museum in Sautee Nacoochee, just a few miles down the road from Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn & Spa. It’s the oldest gourdcrafting business in the United States and it has been a celebrated member of the local art scene in White County, GA for many years. What is Gourdcrafting?Artist Priscilla Wilson invented a slip-casting method using the earthy texture of gourds as a mold for her pottery-making (She even has a … Continue reading →

Bluegrass & BBQ Festival in the North Georgia Mountains

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Make history by joining the Smithgall Woods State Park friends group as they host “Cabin Fever: Bluegrass & BBQ Festival” along Duke’s creek. On October 5, 2019, from 10am to 4pm, the park will feature live bluegrass bands, local artisans and their wares, food vendors, and more!  The goal of this event is to raise money for the state park to be able to dismantle and relocate a chestnut log cabin to their property. This cabin will be located near the Visitor’s Center and will be used for educational programming. Admission is $10 per vehicle, and additional donations are appreciated … Continue reading →

Winter Arts Fest Coming To Northeast Georgia Mountains

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Four venues. 145 artists. And a setting that is straight out of a landscape painting. This is what you’ll find when you come to the Winterfest Arts & Coach Tour in the Helen, Georgia, area, February 16-17, 2019. This mountain region has long been known as a haven for artists, and their talents will be on full display for this fest, which is a compilation of four shows at four different venues—Unicoi State Park & Lodge, Helen Arts & Heritage Center, Hardman Farms Historic Site and Sautee Nacoochee Center (SNC). Visitors can park at either Unicoi State Park or the … Continue reading →

Soque Artworks: Art & Crafts of Northeast Georgia Mountains

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Northeast Georgia is a little hotbed of creativity with an abundance of talented artists and artisans, and Soque Artworks in Clarkesville, Georgia, is a prime showcase for many of them and their work. Opened in 2008 by Rush, Susan and Walton Smith, the gallery was created specifically to present the art and works of artists who live in Northeast Georgia the adjoining states. Soque Artworks features nearly 80 artists in 25 different mediums. Many are members of prestigious regional art organizations—such as the Southern Highland Craft Guild—teachers at the John C. Campbell Folk School or graduates of Penland School of … Continue reading →

Northeast Georgia’s Burton Gallery & Emporium

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It’s quite an eclectic place, and that makes Burton Gallery & Emporium in Clarkesville, Georgia, an even more delightful stop on a visit to the northeast Georgia Mountains! The gallery—which Southern Living magazine tagged “one of the best galleries in the State”— does not take a narrow focus in its space. Instead Burton Gallery & Emporium displays a wide-ranging selection that will appeal to a variety of tastes. While it is known for a large collection of original paintings, these are just the tip of its artistic iceberg. Step inside and you’ll find a wealth of other interesting and intriguing … Continue reading →

Spring Art Festivals in the Northeast Georgia Mountains

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If you’re looking for an excuse to head up to the mountains of northeast Georgia—other than a visit to Lucille’s, of course!—we’ve got several for you. The mountain towns of Blairsville, Dahlonega, Clayton, and Toccoa are each hosting arts fests. So grab your calendar, and start planning a getaway. April 21-22, 2018 Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, Dahlonega. It’s a bit last minute, but if you can make it, this is great time to enjoy a slice of Appalachia. Bluegrass and old-time music highlight the celebration that includes a juried art show featuring traditional crafts, storytelling, dancing, free music … Continue reading →

A Georgia Mountain Original: Grandaddy Mimm’s Moonshine

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The era of bootlegging is long behind us, but the legacy is alive and flowing at Grandaddy Mimm’s Moonshine Distillery in Blairsville, Georgia. Jack “Mimm” McClure was an Appalachian legend in the mid-20th Century. A noted local philanthropist, he made moonshine and bootlegged from the Depression era until his death in 1969. It’s his authentic recipe for corn whiskey that’s now being distilled and bottled by Grandaddy Mimm’s Moonshine Distillery. The company makes several varieties of moonshine, including Mule Kickin’ High Octane 100 Proof, the flagship of the line, made the same way ol’ Jack did. There’s also a 140 … Continue reading →

Find Artsy Gifts At NO Georgia Mountains’ Gourd Shop

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While many people look at gourds and see a funny looking fruit, Priscilla Wilson sees a work of art. Since 1976, she has been turning all shapes and sizes of gourds into decorative containers painted with flowers, rolling toys for toddlers, holiday ornaments, masks, and a mind-boggling assortment of other artistic creations. You’ll find all these and more at The Gourd Place in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, just minutes from Lucille’s Mountaintop Inn & Spa.  The business, which is the oldest gourd-crafting business in the United States, grew over the years as Priscilla experimented with artistic styles and creating more works … Continue reading →

Fresh Finds In The Northeast Georgia Mountains

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‘Tis the season for outdoor farmers markets! And the best part of visiting our various local markets is that you not only can find great fresh and local foods, you can enjoy the wonderful mountain towns and scenic drives too. Here are a few to check out. Dahlonega Farmers Market. This fun village (see our May 18, 2017 blog) boasts a market where everything is 100% locally grown and produced. Items to find include fresh eggs, berries, jams and jellies, honey and syrups, pasture-raised meats and more. When you’re done shopping here, check out one of the surrounding vineyards. Now … Continue reading →

Winterfest: Arts & Trolley Tour Coming to North Georgia

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Looking for something to do during President’s Day weekend? Head up to our neck of the mountains for Winterfest: Arts & Trolley Tour, February 18-19, 2017. The two-day fest is a combined effort of the Sautee Nacoochee Center, Unicoi State Park, and Helen Arts & Heritage Center and will take place in all three locations. The event provides a great chance to visit with 145 artists who will be demonstrating and showcasing work in a variety of mediums, including pottery, painting, jewelry, fused glass, fiber art, and more. Register for drawings throughout the weekend for a chance to win original … Continue reading →