Celebrate Clayton – Fun in the Fresh Air

Celebrate Clayton – Fun in the Fresh Air! April 24th and 25th

The last weekend in April our town will once again host the Celebrate Clayton Art Festival. We are super happy the popular, familyfriendly outdoor festival will be back in 2021! Brought to you by the North Georgia Arts Guild, the festival continues the tradition of bringing art and fine crafts to Rabun County. After so many months shut indoors, aren’t you ready to get outside, see your friends and neighbors and enjoy the beauty and fresh air of the North Georgia Mountains? This fun, family-friendly, outdoor festival will be set up with plenty of space to distance and maintain the health and safety of our visitors. There is so much to do while you’re here. Shop the juried Artist Market lining the center of North and South Main Streets where some 100 artists and artisans will exhibit their arts and fine crafts. Remember Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Find the perfect gift for her or a “happy” for yourself. Many of your favorite artists will be back. To name just a few artists returning this year: Roger and Gail Marcengill - iron and copper work; Japanese Gyotoku prints by Weylon Robinson; Anne Autsolief - silver chainmail jewelry; pottery by Mike Hart; wood by the 2019 Best in Show artist, David Einwechter; heirloom plants from Ladybug Farms; Danny Young - photography; Jerry Stanley - outdoor furniture; and Mike Wilson – knives. And there will be many new faces as well, selling whimsical and functional pottery, art glass, beaded jewelry, hand dyed and hand-woven clothing, and much, much more!

At the information tent you can pick-up the striking new souvenir T-shirt with artwork by award winning local artist Diane Rush. All around town, you can enjoy tasty fare from Clayton’s many eateries, from breakfast fare, sandwiches, beer and pizza to fine dining and wine, in-doors or on the patio. The Rock House stage will host live music all weekend long. We have another great line-up this year. Listen while you relax on the shady Rock House lawn. In Veteran’s Park, the 2021 NGAG Art Scholarship winners will host the high school student art exhibit. Although we will not offer kids an art activity this year, there will be booths with face painters, panjoes and canjoes, and wooden toys. No event of this magnitude can experience the success and longevity we have enjoyed since 1994 without the support of the community. We cannot thank enough the many volunteers who are dedicated to planning and working the festival year after year. The time and energy of every individual is needed and appreciated. The past generosity of the long list of local business sponsors and individual donors has ensured continued funding for the North Georgia Arts Guild’s scholarship and community outreach programs. Celebrate Clayton is presented by the North Georgia Arts Guild, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are taxdeductible. For more information, visit CelebrateClayton.com or contact Kathy Ford, Celebrate Clayton Chairman 706-2129958.