Travel On The Level

Around Back at Rockys Place in Dawsonville, GA., is one of the best and most intriguing galleries of folk art you'll find traveling in the Southeast.

Begun by a pair of art collecting school teachers in their backyard, it displays the work of more than 200 artists, many recognized by major museums such as the Smithsonian Institute and awarded grants by the National Endowment for the Arts. They work in all sorts of mediums - paintings on tin, "found" objects sculpture, paintings using caulking on board, wood of all varieties, fabrics, clay and glass.

The art is everywhere you look - overhead, under foot, in trees, on shelves and walls, in cases, leaning against buildings, on the ceiling, in the bathroom. You won't be able to pull yourself away from the visual overload and when you start hearing the stories about these creators, you won't want to. Dare you not to buy something. I lost the dare but gained a double-headed alligator bench by J. L. Nippers.

Tip: No steps either. Rockys Place is open on weekends and by appointment and can be found at the intersection of Hwy 53 East and Etowah River Rd. You can day trip there from Atlanta and you can't miss it. Just look for the gigantic wooden angel out front.

After feeding your soul and sense of humor, feed the body with a gourmet lunch at the nearby Blue Bicycle or a good old greasy Bully burger and hand-cut fries at The Pool Room.