About Us

The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association (The Art Center) has been fostering the creative process in the Southern Appalachian Region in excess of 32 years.  The mountains that surround this beautiful area of North Georgia, Southeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina inspire creativity and The Art Center provides a venue for all the talent encased in this mountainous cocoon.  While art enriches the lives of our residents, art acts as a catalyst for economic development.   As an organization, the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association endeavors to provide opportunities in the realm of art for personal growth of the individual and the economic growth of our community. 

We are blessed to have such a beautiful setting to inspire us to create.  Many artists come to visit and decide to stay.  Nearly half our members are artists or those who wish to become an artist.  Our Southern Appalachian Artist Guild has grown to over 90 members in one year.  We explore Art as an Adventure every day and we strive to infect everyone with our passion for this area and its cultural history.  Consequently, we have become a haven for artists.  We promote our artists and our town.  Our Vision is to bring our town of Blue Ridge to national prominence, as one of the Top 100 Art Towns in the Nation.

The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association Mission:
Through performance, demonstration and education;
Enhance and preserve the quality and accessibility of the arts in the Southeastern Appalachian Region;
Honor our rich heritage of mountain culture;
Promote contemporary multi-cultural arts.
Promote Economic Growth through the Arts.

Our Goal:  Be a catalyst for Change:  Promote Blue Ridge, Georgia as an art town for inclusion, as one of the Top 100 Art Towns in the Nation

All this and More:   http://blueridgearts.net

• Winter Pickin’ (local musicians jam/open to public)
• Youth Art Month (Exhibit Community Youth Creativity)
• Annual Writer’s Conference
• Plein Aire Arts Festival
• Annual Arts in the Park (over 170 artists/20,000+ tourists)
• Annual Benefit Auction (Silent and live Auction w/food & fun)
• Annual Concerts in the Park
• Annual Summer Art Camp for Kids
• Annual Quilt Exhibit (Southern Appalachian Quilt Extravaganza)
• Annual Wildlife & Nature Art Festival and Expo
• Annual Southern Appalachian Artist Guild National Juried Show
• Annual Holiday Show & Sale (Christmas celebration of Art)
• Masters Level Art Classes
• Diverse Art Exhibits
• Classes in all art media; music, dance for adults and children