This Georgia Art Shop Is Filled With Handmade Treasures And Whimsical Metal Sculptures

A five-pound Pekingese named Rocky inspired one of the biggest folk art galleries in the South. The whole thing started in a tool shed behind a house.

I love that kind of beginning.

That shed idea grew into two buildings packed with thousands of handmade pieces. Hundreds of self-taught artists fill the walls with painted critters, pottery, carvings, and quirky metal work.

I can’t imagine a better place to lose track of time.

The star of the show is a North Georgia painter who goes by Cornbread. His guineas, foxes, turkeys, and strawberries pop up on metal, wood, and even cardboard.

I believe Georgia folk art rarely gets this much love in one spot.

So how does a tiny dog’s legacy turn into the largest Cornbread collection on Earth? The answer sits quietly in the mountains, waiting for weekend visitors.

A Tiny Dog Gave This Big Gallery Its Name

Rocky weighed about five pounds, yet his name now lives on through one of the South’s notable folk art galleries. Around Back At Rocky’s Place Folk Art Gallery honors a Pekingese who lived from 1988 to 2001.

Owner Tracey Burnette opened the gallery in 2002, the year after Rocky passed. That timing makes the name feel sweet and personal.

It’s a tribute that keeps wagging along every single weekend.

The words “around back” aren’t just cute, either. The very first gallery lived in a tool shed behind Burnette’s house.

Folks literally had to go around back to find the art.

Tracey’s love for folk art started earlier than the gallery itself. She bought a David Meaders face jug in the early 1990s, and her collection took off from there.

One jug turned into a whole world.

Knowing this backstory changes how the place feels. You’re not just shopping in a store.

You’re stepping into a passion project that grew from one collector’s curiosity.

So the next time someone says small things can’t make a big impact, tell them about Rocky. He clearly had big plans for a little dog.

From Garden Shed To Two Buildings Of Wonder

Twenty-four artists. That’s how many were on board when the gallery opened in that backyard shed.

It was a modest start for something that would grow so much.

Today, Around Back At Rocky’s Place represents around 250 self-taught artists. The collection outgrew its first space and expanded into a second building.

That’s a lot of art for a place that began next to the garden tools.

In 2022, the gallery celebrated twenty years in Dawson County. Two decades is a big milestone for any small business.

For a folk art shop in the North Georgia hills, it’s especially impressive.

The growth didn’t come from flashy marketing or a city storefront. It came from steady relationships with artists and a clear love for the work.

Each new artist added another voice to the mix.

I like how the gallery kept its homegrown spirit while getting bigger. The rustic setting still feels rooted in the countryside.

Nothing about it pretends to be a fancy downtown showroom.

Plan for more time than you think you’ll need. Two buildings full of handmade work can easily swallow an entire afternoon.

Cornbread’s Critters Rule The Walls Here

Guineas, foxes, turkeys, and coons don’t usually share a gallery wall. At this spot, they’re basically the headliners.

They come from the brush of John Anderson, better known as Cornbread.

Cornbread is a North Georgia native and a celebrated folk artist. Around Back At Rocky’s Place is known for its extensive collection of his work.

That’s a bold title, and it gives the gallery real bragging rights.

His subjects feel playful and full of country charm. Birds and bright strawberries show up again and again.

Each piece has a cheerful, easygoing energy that’s hard to resist.

The surfaces are part of the fun too. Cornbread paints on metal, wood, canvas, and even cardboard.

A fox on a piece of tin just hits differently than one in a frame.

If you’ve never seen his work, this is the place to start. Seeing so many pieces together helps you spot his style quickly.

You’ll start recognizing a Cornbread from across the room.

Fair warning, though. Picking just one favorite critter might be the hardest decision of your weekend.

Metal Sculptures That Refuse To Be Serious

Metal usually means hard and heavy. Here, it turns silly, bright, and full of personality.

The whimsical sculptures are one of the gallery’s most memorable features.

Self-taught artists shape metal into forms that feel lively and unexpected. Some pieces lean playful, while others feel almost dreamlike.

Visionary folk artists don’t follow rulebooks, and it shows.

That freedom is what makes folk art so charming. These makers often learned by doing rather than through formal training.

Their work feels honest and a little wild in the best way.

A metal sculpture can also handle life outdoors better than a painting. That makes these pieces fun conversation starters for porches and gardens.

Just be ready for neighbors to ask where you found it.

Around Back At Rocky’s Place mixes these sculptures throughout its huge collection. You might spot one tucked beside a painting or near a shelf of pottery.

Keep your eyes moving, because surprises are everywhere.

Ask about the artist behind any piece that grabs you. Knowing who made it adds a story you can share every time someone notices it.

Face Jugs And Pottery With Serious Southern Roots

A clay jug with a grumpy face staring back at you? That’s a proud Southern tradition.

Georgia has a long history of face jugs, and they’re a fun part of this gallery’s collection.

Handcrafted pottery is one of the main mediums on display. Fittingly, the owner’s own folk art journey began with a single David Meaders face jug.

It’s like the gallery came full circle.

Face jugs are wonderfully odd. Some look goofy, some look spooky, and some look like they just heard bad gossip.

No two are ever exactly alike.

Pottery can feel fragile to bring home, especially for out-of-state visitors. The gallery ships pottery in triple boxes for extra protection.

That’s a thoughtful touch for anyone nervous about a long drive.

Beyond face jugs, you’ll find other handmade pottery that shows off each maker’s style. Clay pieces add a nice balance to all the paintings and metal work.

They bring an earthy feel to the rooms.

Collectors and first-timers alike can enjoy this section. Even if you don’t buy, studying those expressive faces is pure entertainment.

Wood, Fabric, And Paint Fill Every Corner

Thousands of original pieces. That number alone tells you this isn’t a quick browse.

The collection stretches across many materials and styles.

Vibrant paintings brighten the walls with bold colors and simple shapes. Wood carvings bring a handmade warmth you can almost feel.

Textiles and fabric art add softer textures to the mix.

Each medium shows a different side of Southern creativity. Folk artists often use whatever materials they have nearby.

That resourcefulness gives the work a down-to-earth spirit.

The gallery calls itself a celebration of Southern folk art and North Georgia’s creative spirit. With hundreds of artists represented, the variety feels endless.

One room might feel cheerful while the next feels mysterious.

Here’s a tip for visiting. Go slowly and give each wall a second look.

Small details often hide in corners, and you’ll miss them if you rush.

The colorful setting makes the experience feel lively rather than stuffy. It’s a gallery where smiling at a painting is totally normal.

Laughing at one is probably fine too, as long as it’s the funny kind.

Collectors And Curious Newbies Both Fit Right In

Some galleries can feel a little intimidating. Around Back At Rocky’s Place takes a friendlier approach with its uniquely curated collection.

It offers discoveries for longtime collectors and brand-new visitors alike.

Big names in folk art have appeared here alongside local talent. Works by Howard Finster and Mose Tolliver have been part of the mix.

That kind of range keeps serious collectors coming back.

Newcomers don’t need any expert knowledge to enjoy it, though. Folk art is approachable by nature.

You can simply look for what makes you happy.

Owner Tracey Burnette knows the artists and their stories well. Asking questions can turn a simple purchase into something meaningful.

A painting feels richer when you know who made it.

Gift shoppers will find plenty of options too. A one-of-a-kind piece makes a present nobody else will duplicate.

That beats another gift card any day.

Shipping is available for larger purchases. So if a big piece steals your heart, it can still make the trip home safely.

Your car’s trunk will thank you.

Follow The Big Blue Statue To Find It

Directions in the mountains can get creative. A large blue statue called “Our Lady of Dawson” serves as a landmark for finding the gallery.

That’s far more fun than counting mailboxes.

The full address is 3631 Highway 53 East at Etowah River Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534. It sits in a rustic setting in North Georgia.

The countryside drive is part of the charm.

Dawsonville makes a pleasant day trip for anyone exploring the Georgia mountains. The gallery adds an artsy stop to a scenic weekend outing.

It pairs nicely with a slow, wandering kind of day.

Keep an eye out as you get close. Rural roads can sneak up on you, and that blue landmark helps a lot.

Spotting it feels a bit like winning a road-trip game.

Local tourism sources have called the gallery a Dawsonville gem. Its colorful ambiance stands out against the quiet woods.

It’s easy to see why it earned that reputation.

Fill up your tank and plan your route ahead of time. Phone signals in the hills don’t always cooperate.

Weekend Hours Mean You Should Plan Ahead

Timing matters here more than at most shops. The gallery keeps weekend hours, so a random Tuesday visit won’t work.

A little planning goes a long way.

Doors open Saturdays from 11 AM to 5 PM. On Sundays, hours run from 1 PM to 5 PM.

Both are Eastern time, which matters if you’re driving in from elsewhere.

Weekday visits are possible by appointment only. That’s handy for travelers passing through midweek.

Just reach out ahead of time to set it up.

The gallery closes on all major holidays. Double-check the calendar before planning a holiday-weekend trip.

Nobody wants to arrive at a locked door after a scenic drive.

Give yourself at least a couple of hours once you arrive. Two buildings of folk art deserve more than a quick lap.

Rushing through would be like skimming the best book you’ve ever found.

Around Back At Rocky’s Place rewards people who slow down. Bring a friend, wear comfy shoes, and leave room in the car.

In Georgia, few weekend plans come with this many grinning foxes and face jugs.