July 1 - September 16, 2017
The opening reception, on July 1st, 10am-5pm, featured artists' booths set up in front of the gallery, food, and free drink tastings supplied by RM Rose Distillery and local wineries & breweries.

Folk art (self-taught art) is as much a part of the South’s culture as sweet tea and pecan pie, from its humble beginnings as a means of passing time and the need to create, to the success of galleries and artists in the latter part of the 20th century. It is vital to the landscape of our history to preserve and protect its characters of the past, and the duty of us all to keep the spirit alive for future generations.

Legendary Georgia folk artist Peter Loose envisioned a show that would not only teach people about the art, but let them peer into the mind of the artist; to not only value the monetary worth of the artwork, but to fall in love with the artists and their stories.

This vision was realized in 2015, when the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation hosted "The Great Folk Art Parade: From Finster Forward,” a show celebrating the life of Rev. Howard Finster and his contemporaries, along with up-and-coming artists who will be the future stewards of the craft.

With the help of Kip Ramey, the Great Folk Art Parade has recently been developed into a traveling show, and begins its journey at the Hambidge Center. Hambidge has a deep relationship with folk art, and has fostered the careers of many self taught artists. The Great Folk Art Parade featured work for sale by legends such as Howard Finster, R.A. Miller, Jake McCord, Willie Jinks, Mary Proctor, Lanier Meaders and more, plus emerging artists from around the country and Canada.

Artists selling work at the opening
Charlie Dingler + Stanley Ferguson, pottery + Sam Granger, paintings + Sandy Hall, paintings + Coralie Hardman, paintings + Mary Hardman, paintings + Michelle Humphrey, pottery + Eric Legge, paintings + Peter Loose, paintings + Cleve Phillips, Kudzu art + Kip Ramey, paintings + Celena Schoen + Jim Shores, metal assemblage + Miz Thang, paintings and assemblage

Artists featured in the gallery exhibition
Minnie Adkins + Michael Banks + Christy Buchanon + Marion Coleman + Josh Cote + Tex Crawford + Kimberly Dawn Crowder + Charlie Dingler + Ilona Fekete + Howard Finster + Charlene Fisch + Charlie Frye + Sam Granger + Sandy Hall + Coralie Hardman + Mary Hardman + Michelle Humphrey + Willie Jinks + C.M. and Grace Kelly Laster + Eric Legge + Ric Long + Peter Loose + Lanier Meaders + Jake McCord + R.A. Miller + Jason Mott + Crispy Printz + Mary Proctor + Sara Rakes + Ken Ramey + Kip Ramey + Richard Roebuck + Celena Schoen + Cher Shaffer + Jim Shores + Suzie Sue Smith + Mavis Stevens + Randy Tobias + Annie Welborn + Carter Welborn

Above image by Cher Shaffer.