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Photos above: At left, Clarksville natives Greg Kimsey, Gail Kimsey, Tonya Kimsey Fowler and Resident Artist Dawn Gunn revisit the original Art-Full Barn they started in 1998. At right, in 2025, they stand in front of the new campus.
The Art-Full Barn Story
•BIG NEWS!: Just recently The Clarkesville Main Design Committee awarded the Art-Full Barn with the Clarkesville Main' Street Award of Excellence. Read about it!
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 actually began as a place for artists to sell their creations in a funky and fun atmosphere. As people came in to look at the original 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.
As our students were having trouble finding the art supplies for the classes, we contacted suppliers and began carrying the supplies for our students ourselves.Eventually word got around we had art supplies and people began asking it we could get specific supplies for them. Soon, 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 and eventually outgrew the barn. Then we moved into a much larger space inside Old Clarkesville Mill. Gail opened an 80,000 square foot antique store:Old Clarkesville Mill Art & Antiques Mall. With the expanded space, we brought in new products such as Melissa and Doug toys, scale model kits, and birding supplies.
We have moved a couple of times, trying to tweak each move to maximize space and our offerings. We currently, and reside at 143 GA 17 (at the light) in Clarkesville, GA.
Tonya Kimsey Fowler (daughter of Gail and Greg) moved home after teaching art and being a ski-lift operator in Colorado. She became a partner in the business, opening her own special branch: Mud Fairy Pottery. Tonya produces and teaches pottery; her bubbly personality is a great addition to the store. Her husband, Jason Fowler, is a graphic artist and world-class fine artist himself. He also operates his own artistic business as Jason's graphic design and illustration. Jason brings a new level of expertise to our enterprise.
In May 2025, we made the big move - hopefully, for good. Please come visit our new Art Community at 143 GA 17 (at the light)in Clarkesville, GA.
•BIG NEWS!: Just recently The Clarkesville Main Design Committee awarded the Art-Full Barn with the Clarkesville Main' Street Award of Excellence. Read about it!
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 actually began as a place for artists to sell their creations in a funky and fun atmosphere. As people came in to look at the original 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.
As our students were having trouble finding the art supplies for the classes, we contacted suppliers and began carrying the supplies for our students ourselves.Eventually word got around we had art supplies and people began asking it we could get specific supplies for them. Soon, 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 and eventually outgrew the barn. Then we moved into a much larger space inside Old Clarkesville Mill. Gail opened an 80,000 square foot antique store:Old Clarkesville Mill Art & Antiques Mall. With the expanded space, we brought in new products such as Melissa and Doug toys, scale model kits, and birding supplies.
We have moved a couple of times, trying to tweak each move to maximize space and our offerings. We currently, and reside at 143 GA 17 (at the light) in Clarkesville, GA.
Tonya Kimsey Fowler (daughter of Gail and Greg) moved home after teaching art and being a ski-lift operator in Colorado. She became a partner in the business, opening her own special branch: Mud Fairy Pottery. Tonya produces and teaches pottery; her bubbly personality is a great addition to the store. Her husband, Jason Fowler, is a graphic artist and world-class fine artist himself. He also operates his own artistic business as Jason's graphic design and illustration. Jason brings a new level of expertise to our enterprise.
In May 2025, we made the big move - hopefully, for good. Please come visit our new Art Community at 143 GA 17 (at the light)in Clarkesville, GA.
