CLAYTON– The inaugural Sassafras Artisan Market presented by The North Georgia Arts Guild is coming to Clayton April 29-30.
Sassafras will be held at the Rabun County Civic Center, 201 W. Savannah Street, Clayton, and will feature artists showcasing hand-made jewelry, photography, watercolor paintings, pottery, folk art, wood and metal art, fiber art and much more.
Sassafras Artisan Market gathers the finests artists and artisans of the region and offers unique, original works of art from more than 100 exhibitors, according to the website.
The Market is free to the community and will be held Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kathy Ford, event chair, said 60 of the artists were exhibitors at Celebrate Clayton and 30 are new this year.
Randy Sells and Joey Aldrich-Burel will serve as exhibitor chairs. Sells is also president of The North Georgia Arts Guild.
The North Georgia Arts Guild announced in 2022 that it would no longer sponsor Celebrate Clayton, which had been presented by the Guild since 2015.
At Sassafras on April 30, a drawing will be held for the “Original Art Treasure Tote” raffle. The raffle prizes are two large, 14-inch by 23-inch, zippered L.L. Bean Canvas Totes painted by The North Georgia Arts Guild members.
Each tote has a hand-painted exterior.
The tote painted by artist Penny Bradley features a black bear and the tote painted by artist Kathy Beehler features a colorful cow.
Each tote contains over two-dozen original, hand-made art treasures made by members of The North Georgia Arts Guild including jewelry, fiber art, metal art, wood art, hand-turned pens, mosaics, and many other items.
All items are donated by members of The North Georgia Arts Guild and each tote is valued at over $500, Ford said.
Tickets for the “Original Art Treasure Tote” raffle are $20 each or three for $50 and will be sold, weather permitting, each Saturday from now until April 22 in front of Butler Galleries, 74 North Main Street, Clayton from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tickets also will be sold at the Sassafras Artisan Market and individuals are not required to be present to win. Cash is accepted and checks should be made out to “Sassafras.” Totes will be delivered to winners residing within Rabun County and adjacent counties. Visit https://www.sassafrasartisanmarket.com/ for a list of donating artists and for more information about Sassafras Artisan Market.