Michele and Broderick Crawford
After thirty-three years of operating a full-time gallery and custom frame shop in Clayton, Georgia, the bell above the gallery door rang one last time on November 30, 2024.
Broderick and Michele Crawford stood outside and peered into their gallery after they flipped the closed sign for the last time. Crawford Art Gallery had been more than a business.
It was where Broderick’s canvases, layered with paint and patience, along with Michele’s photographs, hung on display for customers and visitors. Customers first came inside for art or framing, but they often returned as collectors and for the stories. Local happenings were always a topic, but even more so, folks wanted to hear about how Broderick had done in recent art competitions or about Michele’s recent trips out West photographing bison and bears.
And, both being native to the area, their small shop was a makeshift Chamber office, directing people to popular places in the region. Their shop framed lots of artwork, but also many cherished memories and mementos.
After 33 years of doing it all themselves, life felt strange. No more showing up early, framing pictures late into the night, stretching canvases, fixing misaligned corners, resetting the gallery with new work, or traveling to art shows in the off-season to make ends meet. Thirty-three years of showing up. Now was the time to choose something different.
They both knew the plan was to continue with, and enjoy, the fun side of the business: their talents. For the bulk of 2025, they learned the season of slowing down. Broderick continued to take several commissioned works, as well as display at his favorite show for the 17th year in Charleston at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. Michele also continued with her commissions and travels, building her inventory of landscape and wildlife images and enjoying softer days amid the unhurried side of life. Their creations became simply about living and enjoying, not survival.
By late 2025, they were ready to find a location to represent their work in their area. They spent several days traveling in and around communities bordering their home county of Rabun County, Georgia.
Though they found several very nice galleries and shops, the one location that felt most like home was The Summer House by Reeves. They knew the former owners well and know the current owners very well. For years, they had known the superior level of customer service, quality, and strong focus on customer satisfaction. These were the qualities they had always tried to provide in their business, and they wanted, for sure, to land in a space that felt the same.
Now, The Summer House by Reeves in Highlands is the location representing their artwork. Going full steam ahead, Broderick and Michele are excited to team up with the entire staff to showcase their wildlife art and photography in such a beautiful location. To celebrate this new endeavor for both The Summer House and the Crawfords, they have created a Meet the Artists day on Saturday, June 20, from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M.
If you’ve never met Broderick and Michele, both award-winning artists in their own categories, please come by, say “hello” for the first time, and see their work for sale in the gallery. If you know them well but haven’t had the chance to visit in a while, please also come by to say hello and talk about this new journey with them.
Favorites Count: 0