The Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences, one of the three oldest artist residency programs in America, supports the creative process by providing talented artists of all disciplines the setting and the solitude essential to creative work. For more than 70 years, the 600-acre natural environment has been a sanctuary of time and space that allows artists to develop their authentic voices, inspiring them to work at their highest levels of imagination.
Weaver and Georgia native, Mary Crovatt Hambidge, founded the Center in 1934 in memory of Jay Hambidge, artist, scholar and author. Employing local labor, she developed a farm cooperative and refined the talents of community women in spinning and weaving. The Rabun Weavers’ fine woven goods were sold to designers, decorators and celebrities at Rabun Studios on Madison Avenue in New York City.
Although Hambidge is a private retreat, visitors are welcome in the Weave Shed Gallery which schedules three ceramic exhibitions annually. Lectures, special events and the annual Hambidge Summer Festival in July are also open to the public. The historic Barkers Creek Mill, open on the first Saturday of every month, from 1pm-4pm, is a favorite local destination. Visit the Hambidge website www.hambidge.org regularly for updated event information. 706-746-5718