Bringing Art Home: How One Rural Town Transformed Access to the Arts with Georgia Council for the Arts’ Traveling Exhibit

For the Euharlee Welcome Center and History Museum, the opportunity to host a traveling art exhibit in partnership with Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) was one they seized with enthusiasm – and their hard work paid off.   

When the community learned that GCA was seeking 10 cities to host “Reimagine: Contemporary Georgia Artists,” a traveling art exhibition of works from the Georgia State Art Collection in conjunction with a display of works from their own local artists, they acted. It felt like the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the museum, showcase its capacity to host dynamic art exhibits, and engage local artists.  

Located on their famous Covered Bridge Road, the Euharlee Welcome Center and History Museum presents the history of Euharlee and southwest Bartow County, beginning with Cherokee history through to the present day. Operated by the Euharlee Historical Society, the museum is a community asset, hosting historic walking tours and local events. 

Making the arts accessible  

The Euharlee exhibit featured contributions from 19 artists, ranging from 10 years old to over 70 years old, highlighting the broad spectrum of creative voices from across the region.  

A grant from GCA was spent on marketing the exhibit to boost attendance, and all workshops and admission to the museum and exhibit were offered at no cost, removing financial barriers and allowing individuals and families of all incomes to enjoy this unique opportunity.  

During the six-week exhibit, the museum welcomed a noticeable change in visitor demographics. Foot traffic increased more than 700% compared to the same time span the previous year, and many attendees had never been to the museum before. Several traveled from Floyd, Polk, Cobb, Chattooga, and other surrounding counties.

“Many visitors expressed that this was their first time experiencing a professional art exhibit,” said Dana Rieske, museum manager. “We also saw an increase in multi-generational families, homeschool groups, and first-time workshop participants. In particular, family and friend groups came to support exhibiting artists, bringing in new audiences who may not typically attend historical or artistic events.”  

Investing in the future  

In preparing to host the exhibit, planned facility improvements were maximized to open up existing exhibit spaces, creating better traffic flow for a more cohesive visitor experience.  

“Creating a community- and family-friendly environment is very important to us,” Rieske said. “I wanted a space where kids and adults alike could engage without fear of damaging artifacts. By rearranging and consolidating our existing areas, we gained the flexibility to host more interactive and welcoming exhibits.”

As part of an investment by the city, updates included incorporating salvaged wood from historic buildings in downtown Euharlee, as well as new flooring, fresh paint, and lighting to give the space a polished finish.  

“I also wanted the updated space to reflect the unique charm of Euharlee, blending the old with the new,” Rieske said. “We're proud of the changes and excited to continue welcoming the community into a space that reflects both our history and future.”

‘Reimagining’ community partnerships   

The exhibit not only strengthened existing community partnerships, but shaped new ones. The city partnered with Art in Bartow, the Euharlee Historical Society, Only in Cartersville Bartow Tourism, the Rockmart Cultural Arts Center, and Kennesaw State University on planning and execution.  

Artists also engaged with local leaders, members of the Euharlee Historical Society, and city staff during planning and events, fostering new lines of communication and building connections that may lead to future opportunities.

“The ‘Reimagine’ exhibit gave local artists an opportunity to showcase and sell their work in a professional, public setting, some for the first time,” Rieske said. “It elevated their presence within the community and beyond, allowing their work to be seen by new audiences and helping them gain confidence and recognition as contributing members of Georgia’s artistic landscape.”  

Creating local impact

Nonprofit arts and culture events often have a ripple effect on the community, region, and even state level. In Euharlee, the $7,000 GCA grant was leveraged to create more than $39,000 in economic impact in the community. These totals were calculated with an online tool customized for Georgia nonprofit arts and culture organizations. 

The “Reimagine” exhibit also marked a new level of engagement and collaboration for the museum. Weekly workshops brought a hands-on experience to the exhibit, with each themed around a different artistic medium or style.  

Workshops included:

• “Paint Like Pollock” for a homeschool group
• Felted soap-making led by a textile artist whose work was also displayed in the exhibit
• Lego Art Day  
• “Drawing with Scissors”

GCA offers additional ways to engage with the exhibit with free materials like an online teacher resource guide, which includes images of the artwork in the State Art Collection and curriculum-aligned lessons that can be used to enhance learning for K-12 students. For more information about the resources available with the exhibit, contact Visual Arts Manager Kenny Oaster.