A group of artists started coming to Buford in 1984, taking advantage of its close proximity to Atlanta, enjoying its small town feel and benefitting from its affordable commercial and retail space. Studios began springing up first with A. R. Wood, Sandra Sumner, Ferdinand Rosa, Rozelle Morton-Bush, and Allen Bush. Other artists like Mary Pratt, Lee Bomhoff, Nancy Shaffer, David Kidd, Charlie Dingler, Irven Penn, Michael Dierdorf, Vic McCallum, Geoffrey Johnson, and Sarah Hatch, soon followed and an art movement had begun.As the reputation grew, more and more artists arrived, and downtown Buford was bustling with galleries, art shows, studio space, and boutiques. During this art explosion, people began referring to the “Artist Colony” that was growing in Buford. This brought many other art professionals and the interest soared. Since the beginning of the Colony, over 100 artists have worked in Buford, most occupying some form of studio space in the downtown historic district. Some of the artist worked only a short period here, whereas others like Mavis Stevens, Lynne McIntosh and Judith Surowiec, have been here since the humble beginnings. Leading up to the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Bob Bowden, Lantz Caldwell and Mark Alexander established the Contemporary International Museum of Art (CIMA), bringing Robert Rauschenberg, a world known artist to Buford.

Today, there are only two art galleries and a limited space reserved for artists’ studios in the central retail district where this movement once began. There is another transition occurring on Main street. Other businesses are finding the historic district, including several successful restaurants, and the retail mix is changing once again. As the competition for this limited space increased, the artists were forced to relocate in the immediate surrounding area.

A collective group of artists have moved to the complex of Tannery Row. This campus was originally constructed as a shoe factory by the Bona Allen Company. It is now home to a number of businesses, and a core group of artists that are referred to as the Tannery Row Artist Colony. Currently, there are 17 artists who work with paint, clay, wrought iron and other media on a daily basis. Everyone is welcome to see the artists at work and for more information, please visit the Tannery Row Artist Colony website.

Because of Buford’s connection to the many talented artists, it is only natural that we embrace this part of our culture and history and create a permanent location to document and exhibit works by our artists. The Museum of Buford is proud to expand our history museum to include a fine arts division entitled Buford Artists, Past and Present. It is our hope that this will serve as a catalyst in which together we can create a self-sufficient, fine arts museum in the relatively near future. With this announcement, there has been a swell of excitement, and an outpouring of gifts and donations of works from many of our artists and collectors alike. Volunteers are needed to further this cause, so please contact us for more information and to see how you can help.

Name: Fantasy Landscape
Medium: Oil on Pressed Board
Circa: 1950
Size: 30″ x 30″

William Bell

Very little is known about one of the areas most prolific artists. William Bell was self-taught, and he primarily painted fantasy landscapes, usually complete with a mountain range and waterfall. He typically used a stained, yellow pine picture rail molding as a frame and in most cases would not sign his work. It is believed that he lived in the Flowery Branch area, and sold his paintings from the trunk of his car on a stretch of U.S. Route 23 (now commonly referred to as Buford Highway) between Flowery Branch and Buford. It has been reported that he would set up near the High Acres Mountain Guild where they sold mountain arts and crafts, including bags and rugs, and benefit from the added traffic interested in the arts. William Bell worked during the 1940’s – 1960’s and was able to make a living with his artwork.

Name: Fantasy Landscape
Medium: Oil on Pressed Board
Year: Circa 1950
Size: 30″ x 15″