Tracey Burnette, proprietor of Around Back at Rocky’s Place Folk Art Gallery, has a new title, Goddess of Folk Art (GoFA). She was anointed by those who adore her and her collection of soulful, colorful, crazy-fun creations, including paintings, carvings, pottery, beading/jewelry, soft sculptures, and more.
GoFA has been Rocky-ing steady nearly a quarter century in Dawsonville, Georgia. Rocky’s Place is a Southeastern folk art destination. Devotees avow it’s Folk Art’s real deal, an Outsider’s Mecca.
Cornbread, a supremely-popular, best-selling painter of indigenous animals, supplies a steady body-of-work to the gallery. GoFA claims she has the best Cornbread collection in the entire Universe.
Another sought-after artist, Cher Shaffer (mixed media), recognized by the American Folk Art Museum in NYC, is a staple at Rocky’s too.
Many historic Grandfathers of the Folk Art Genre are also represented at Rocky’s: Howard Finster (spiritual painter), Jimmy Lee Sudduth (mud painter), Lanier Meaders (potter), Mose Tolliver (painter), and Roy Minshew, (carver, acknowledged in
the Smithsonian).
The Dawsonville Chamber of Commerce took notice of GoFA’s success. They wanted to celebrate their goddess and her treasured attraction at an annual, formal gala.
Unknowing she was going to be honored, Tracey, a jeans and tee gal, invited her mom, a vibrant, 93 year-old, to help her with proper attire. Mom, by the way, dresses to the nines, and loves to party.
“The evening gala was a fabulous dinner,” says Tracey. “’Twas top of the line. We enjoyed every minute. Mom hung in there, but she was getting tired. She signaled let’s go, so I announced, ‘Mom’s ready to go.’”
The Tourism Director sitting with Tracey quickly intervened, “No! You can’t go right now!”
Tracey looked at her mom, puzzled.
“We can’t leave yet, Mom,” she said.
Then, on cue, the Chamber president launched into raves and congratulations. It took a couple of minutes for Tracey to realize the praise was intended for her.
She said, “I was floored that someone even noticed my gallery in 23 years. I am still just kind of in awe. When she started talking about my gallery, all I could say was ‘Wow!’”
As a destination business, people come from all over, attracted to the wide range and quality of folk art Tracey features. She admits, “What I am doing here is drawing tourists. This has kept me in business, and benefitted other establishments in the process.”
Join the many who take a trip or two annually to experience probably the most popular Folk Art destination in the South…maybe even the entire country. Visit 3631 Highway 53 at Etowah River Road, Dawsonville, Georgia, 30534. Phone (706) 265-6030; or email gallery@aroundbackatrockysplace.com or visit aroundbackatrockysplace.com.
“And whatever you buy, large or small, it will get to you.” So sayeth Tracey the Goddess!
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