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Cultural Arts 

White County is rich in the arts and crafts of its people. From Native American works and the style of the earliest European settlers to modern day multi-media presentations, White County has a little something to catch every eye.  

The last pre-historic cultural development in North America was
 the Mississippian Culture, thriving from approximately 800 AD until the arrival of European explorers. The Mississippian Culture spanned from Wisconsin and Minnesota in the north, through Georgia to the south, and westward into the Great Plains. These people enjoyed an intricate system of trading, were accomplished craftsmen, and practiced sophisticated religious beliefs.

With the arrival of European settlers in White County in the 1700's, many European art- and tradecrafts were established. Early settlers created many items, such as pottery, fabrics and other common household items, that had a utilitarian function and yet reflected the artistic talents of the maker. In the late 19th century, northeast Georgia artists and craftsmen began to develop a distinctive style, known as Appalachian folk arts and crafts.

The Sautee-Nacoochee Valley area is renown for its appreciation of the arts and artists.  For 25 years, the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association has been a focal point in the lives of the residents of North Georgia. Located in a historic schoolhouse built in 1928, the Sautee Nacoochee Center is home to a variety of arts programs including community theater, original acoustic music concerts, visual and performing arts classes, an environmental advocacy program and instructional events for adults and children. 

The Center also houses a regional History Museum, a Gallery showcasing works by regional artists and an Art Studio offering adult art classes year-round. The Center hosts the Sautee Nacoochee SummerFest, a six-week celebration of the arts that features music, comedy, dance, mainstage theater productions, youth camps and unique spotlight shows. Many of these performances grace our outdoor stage during the run of the festival. 

Recent efforts to preserve one of the few slave dwellings known to exist in Georgia and to document and interpret the history of the cabin and slavery in the Sautee Nacoochee Valleys has resulted in the Bean Creek History Project, Heritage Site and Nature Preserve. The cabin has been moved to its permanent home on Highway 17 and restoration is underway. Tours of the site are conducted by appointment. 

The Grand Opening of the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia occurred on September 2^nd.  This glass walled wing houses the extensive collection of pottery (dating from the 1840's) given to the Center by Dean and Kay Swanson, who want to preserve both the treasure and history of pottery making. The building provides space to view all the collection at once, complemented by audio-visual presentations, tours and demonstrations.

The Center’s scenic eight-acre campus also features a walking trail, sports field, children’s playground and a fully-equipped community hall with kitchen and grill area ideal for receptions and business meetings.

Celebrating 25 years as a community association, we invite you to join us at the Sautee Nacoochee Center, 283 Highway 255 N, just off Highway 17, two tenths of a mile from the Old Sautee Store. 706-878-3300. www.snca.org

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