Established in 1985, Main Street Gallery in downtown Clayton specializes in contemporary folk art, also known as Visionary, Outsider, Self-taught, or vernacular Art. In addition, you can find southern folk pottery, hand-crafted furniture, fine art, jewelry, gifts and accessories. The gallery has been recognized in Southern Living, The New York Times and Better Homes and Gardens, as one of the top contemporary folk-art galleries in the country.
The folk-art collection is a result of over 30 years spent visiting self-taught artists wherever they can find them — in isolated, rural communities to inner-city neighborhoods. “Meeting these uniquely talented people has been inspiring,” says owner Jeanne Kronsnoble. “What these artists create is art from the heart, without preconceived ideas of what art should be. They work with what is at hand like sheet metal, cast-lumber, house paint, or cardboard. Often, the need to create is born from religious experiences (hence the term Visionary), or sometimes it can be the result of personal trauma. Whatever the catalyst, the end result is art that is refreshingly direct, powerful, and without pretense.”
Housed in a renovated storefront building on Main Street, the gallery has plenty to see with three floors of exhibition space. The gallery represents over 75 artists mostly from the Southeastern U.S. Main Street Gallery also offers pottery (both hand-built and wheel-thrown) and one-of-a-kind furniture. The gallery’s gift selection includes unusual jewelry, accessories and other interesting items.
Main Street Gallery, a world-class gallery in the heart of Rabun County, is currently open on Fridays and Saturdays and by appointment.
Main Street Gallery
51 N. Main Street
Clayton, GA 30525
Owner: Jeanne Kronsnoble
Phone: 706.782.2440
Email: mainstgallery2@gmail.com
Website: www.mainstreetygallery.net