North Georgia Arts Guild Gallery 441 – A Vision Come to Life

By Tricia Moore

Gallery 441 in Dillard, Georgia, opened its doors in September, 2021 with a stable of artists who work in a variety of mediums and styles. Sally Kolb, owner and curator of the gallery, had a vision and a mission, which she tenaciously clung to in spite of many challenges. The first challenge was the building itself, which previously housed Lazy Bear Furniture and is located on Highway 441 across the street from the Dillard antique stores. “The building was in need of some TLC,” Sally diplomatically stated. And as a property manager, that is something, Sally says she enjoys doing.

Sally is petite and soft-spoken, but behind the gentle façade is a strong, determined businesswoman who knows how to get things done. Having bought the building in 2018, Sally was poised to open the gallery when Covid hit. In spite of this huge setback,

Sally never wavered in her dream of having a gallery there. Sally, an artist herself, wanted to create a space for the many talented artists in the area to exhibit and sell their work. Her original vision for the gallery was for it to be like the many traditional galleries she had visited. “But it didn’t quite turn out that way,” she stated. “The space dictated what it looks like.”

The gallery occupies a large space on the lower level of the building. This spacious area called for the rethinking of what an art gallery should look like. Having to think outside the box, Sally managed to skillfully and beautifully utilize the space to exhibit the work of 45 local and five regional artists. When asked what her motivation was for wanting to open a gallery, Sally stated that she was inspired by a friend who owns a gallery in Atlanta. Also, since she loves art and promoting the art of other artists, she wanted to showcase the work of the artists in the area and create an art community in Dillard.

Sally likes to have a variety of work in the gallery and chooses new artists on the basis of the number of artists that she already has in any one medium. She adds that the process is also somewhat subjective – she chooses artwork that she likes.

Slade, Sally’s son, plays an integral part in the running of the gallery. In addition to having his own outdoor furniture business on the premises, Slade keeps the gallery open three days per week, is the tech person and is, Sally notes, “a great promoter.” “He is also kind of like a partner and makes it fun.”

Tricia Moore is a retired teacher, having taught both English and Art in public and private school settings. She is currently an active member of the NGAG and has held several positions on the board. With her background in both art and writing, she feels that writing the NGAG featured artist article in the Laurel of Northeast Georgia is a good fit and something that she will greatly enjoy doing.

The gallery also offers classes and workshops in various mediums. Sometimes customers ask about the availability of a class or workshop in a specific medium and sometimes the artists suggest ideas for specific workshops. The classes/workshops are listed on the gallery’s facebook page and their website – heartofdillard.com. In addition to the regular artists found at Gallery 441, pop-up shows are held there on a regular basis. Most recently, Sally has displayed the art of members of NGAG who participated in the “Winter Blues” challenge that the guild held for the member’s show and tell program. The Athens Metal Arts Guild will be showing their work at the gallery in June from June 10 until the end of the month.

To further add to what the gallery has to offer to the community, Sally has a vision for the large open space on the second floor of the building above the gallery. She would like to create a studio there where artists can come together and, for a nominal fee, work and be inspired by other artists. Additional plans she has for the gallery include holding mini-festivals there and artist demonstrations.

Gallery 441 is a valuable and exciting addition to Dillard and the Rabun County art scene in general, offering many opportunities that a more traditional gallery does not. Artists and fine craftsmen alike have found a home here. The great variety found at the gallery makes it easy for everyone who visits to find something they can’t live without or something that would make a perfect and affordable gift. Classes, workshops, studio space, mini festivals, pop-up art exhibits and artist demonstrations all help to make Gallery 441 the place that is definitely worth your time to check out.

Sally’s desire is for “every artist here to be extremely successful and for the community to get behind it.” Let’s help her make that come true.

Enjoy Summer in Clayton at the Painted Fern Art Festival July 8th & 9th

Painted Fern Art Festival, presented by the North Georgia Arts Guild, will be held at the Rabun County Civic Center, Saturday July 8th 10 – 5 and on Sunday 11 – 4. Keep the fun going after the Independence Day celebrations. Enjoy air-conditioned comfort in the Civic Center Ballroom while shopping for original artwork created by the talented artists of the North Georgia Guild. Painted Fern showcases the many and varied talents of the guild’s members with work as unique as the artists who created it. At Painted Fern you will find paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography, wearable fiber, mosaics, sculpture, collage and much more. Whether looking for the perfect gift or something special for yourself, you’ll find it at the Painted Fern Art Festival!

Be sure to stop in the lobby at the NGAG Bake Sale. Not only are we talented artists, we’re good cooks, too. Pick-up something sweet or savory and decidedly yummy; you’re sure to enjoy! Bake sale treats are donated by NGAG members and Friends. All proceeds from the sale fund the NGAG Art Scholarship Program. The program was established in 2015 to award $1000 art scholarships to talented high school seniors. As of the 2023, NGAG has awarded scholarships to 29 talented art students who will pursue their art in college.

Interested in becoming a member of NGAG? Check us out at NorthGeorgiaArtsGuild.com where you’ll find all the benefits of membership. NGAG presents 10 monthly art programs, two art festivals each year, pop-up art shows, on-line member galleries, rotating member exhibits at Butler Galleries, and more. It’s all happening in downtown Clayton, Georgia.

For details and the list of exhibiting artists, visit paintedfernartfestival.com.