Our Story.....
Greg and Gail Kimsey opened the Art-Full Barn in 1998 inside an actual old red barn that was built in the early 1920's. It began as a place for artists to sell their creations in a funky and fun atmosphere. It has evolved into much more that that. As people came in to look at the awesome art on furniture, canvas, and functional items, they would ask if we could teach them how to paint it. So we began teaching art classes in both decorative and fine art techniques. Our students were having trouble finding the art supplies for the classes. We contacted suppliers and began carrying the supplies for our students. Eventually people heard we had art supplies and asked it we could get specific supplies. Our art supply stock grew by leaps and bounds and eventually we realized we had one of the best art supply stores in all of North East Georgia. Our focus shifted from selling art to selling art supplies and art classes. As other art classes became available in the area in other venues we allotted more of our classroom space to art supply sales and farmed out our classes to other teachers and moved new types of product into the class space. We eventually outgrew the barn and moved into the much larger space inside Old Clarkesville Mill. Gail opened an 80,000 square foot Antique store; Old Clarkesville Mill Art & Antiques Mall. With the extremely expanded space, we brought in new products such as Melissa and Doug toys, scale model kits, and birding supplies. To expand on the old comics in the antique mall, we next created a new venture, calling it OCM Comics, and brought in new as well as vintage Comic Books. The antiques eventually outgrew its space and needed to move into the Art-Full Barn space; so to make room for it we opened a second location at 107 LaPrade Street on March 1, 2013 and moved all non antique merchandise there. The art supplies, comic books, toys, bird supplies, art and pottery are all at the LaPrade Street location, and we eventually sold the Antique Mall business. Tonya Kimsey Fowler moved home from Colorado and became a partner in the business, opening her own special branch; Mud Fairy Pottery. She produces and teaches pottery and her bubbly personality is a great addition to the store. Her husband, JasonFowler, is a graphic artist and world class fine artist himself and brings a new level of expertise to our enterprise. The LaPrade location is the best we have had, and we LOVE this space. Several other ventures have sprouted from our original concept and the Art-Full Barn has become a hub for people who create. People come in almost daily and are astonished at the diversity of product and can't believe such a "Cool store can exist in such a small town!" Well, it does! Come see us for all of your Art Supply and Pottery needs, Comic Book needs, toys, puzzles, and any number of hobby related items. We'll see you soon!
Greg and Gail Kimsey opened the Art-Full Barn in 1998 inside an actual old red barn that was built in the early 1920's. It began as a place for artists to sell their creations in a funky and fun atmosphere. It has evolved into much more that that. As people came in to look at the awesome art on furniture, canvas, and functional items, they would ask if we could teach them how to paint it. So we began teaching art classes in both decorative and fine art techniques. Our students were having trouble finding the art supplies for the classes. We contacted suppliers and began carrying the supplies for our students. Eventually people heard we had art supplies and asked it we could get specific supplies. Our art supply stock grew by leaps and bounds and eventually we realized we had one of the best art supply stores in all of North East Georgia. Our focus shifted from selling art to selling art supplies and art classes. As other art classes became available in the area in other venues we allotted more of our classroom space to art supply sales and farmed out our classes to other teachers and moved new types of product into the class space. We eventually outgrew the barn and moved into the much larger space inside Old Clarkesville Mill. Gail opened an 80,000 square foot Antique store; Old Clarkesville Mill Art & Antiques Mall. With the extremely expanded space, we brought in new products such as Melissa and Doug toys, scale model kits, and birding supplies. To expand on the old comics in the antique mall, we next created a new venture, calling it OCM Comics, and brought in new as well as vintage Comic Books. The antiques eventually outgrew its space and needed to move into the Art-Full Barn space; so to make room for it we opened a second location at 107 LaPrade Street on March 1, 2013 and moved all non antique merchandise there. The art supplies, comic books, toys, bird supplies, art and pottery are all at the LaPrade Street location, and we eventually sold the Antique Mall business. Tonya Kimsey Fowler moved home from Colorado and became a partner in the business, opening her own special branch; Mud Fairy Pottery. She produces and teaches pottery and her bubbly personality is a great addition to the store. Her husband, JasonFowler, is a graphic artist and world class fine artist himself and brings a new level of expertise to our enterprise. The LaPrade location is the best we have had, and we LOVE this space. Several other ventures have sprouted from our original concept and the Art-Full Barn has become a hub for people who create. People come in almost daily and are astonished at the diversity of product and can't believe such a "Cool store can exist in such a small town!" Well, it does! Come see us for all of your Art Supply and Pottery needs, Comic Book needs, toys, puzzles, and any number of hobby related items. We'll see you soon!
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The Art-Full Barn and OCM Comics
107 LaPrade Street, Clarkesville, Ga. 30523 Phone: 706-754-1247 Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday: 10am - 5:30 Closed Sunday and Monday, Christmas Day and Thanksgiving ...and the occasional snow day... (HOWEVER...we have been open on Monday a LOT lately! Call 706-754-1247 to see if we are open on Monday) |
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Directions: From the Clarkesville Square, take Hwy 115 toward Cleveland. We are the third building on the right just after the Masonic Lodge.
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