Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving — be sure to attend the 3rd Annual Holiday Art Ramble. It is the weekend before Thanksgiving. Five galleries and studios of Greene County host their annual big bash —the Ramble is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Nov, 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day — perfect time to get your holiday shopping in to high gear. Each gallery hosts exciting art demonstrations and events. There will be door prizes and surprises! Keep up to date at www.artramble.com and bring friends to introduce them to the area’s art.  The line up is:

•In Lake Oconee Village,  in Parkside Commons, Art of Oconee  shows the work of 15 local artists and plans to have four of their artists, Shannon Chandler, Cathy McIntire, Gail Vail and David Siffert, doing painting demonstrations and Ellen Cowne doing jewelry making.

•Magnolia Art Gallery also in Parkside Commons features exclusive exhibits by artists Mary Leslie and Elizabeth Chapman plus the wonderful works of 30 artists on show. As an additional treat, owner Lynn Blair will do a painting demonstration.

•In historic downtown Greensboro Genuine Georgia plans 2 book signings, Scott Peppers — tin folk artist, a quilting demonstration, band members from “Pulling Strings”  and a demonstration on glass art among other things.

•At The Hampton Fine Art Gallery artist Cameron Hampton will do a pastel  portrait painting demonstration plus there’ll be book signing by Raindance and Cameron Hampton.

•In Union Point, The Point of Art Gallery & Studio offers a special traveling exhibit “Clay in A Can” by nationally renowned ceramic artists and the Clay Artists of the SouthEast. Well-known egg tempera painter Peter Muzyka will show the intricate and ancient method of painting on Friday. Local Washington, Ga., artist Laura Connely will do a painting demonstration, Saturday. Augusta Potter, Tierney Rollins, will do a wheel throwing demo, Saturday. Wendy Wiggins demonstrates making glass beads with a blow torch. Original of renown folk artist Leonard Jones as door prize.

•It is with regret Nan McGarity, of Historic Mill Studio, just announced she will not be able to participate in the Ramble this year. The group will miss her and looks forward to her being back next year.

•Magnolia Art Gallery & the Oconee Regional Humane Society will present “Painting for Paws, Silent Auction” on Friday, Dec. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. One hundred percent of all donated art is being given to the ORHS.  In addition, 10 percent of all other paintings that sell that night will go to the ORHS. Call Gallery for directions (706) 454-5050 or go to www.magnoliaartgallery.com.  Hours of operation Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

•The traveling ceramic exhibit, “Clay in a Can” opens at it’s second location, The Point of Art Gallery in downtown Union Point, during the weekend of Nov. 19. This is an interesting exhibit featuring nationally renowned potters from as far away as California, New York and Montana and the Clay Artists of the South East. The exhibit runs thru Dec. 30 and then travels to the Aiken Center for the Arts in South Carolina. For information, call (706) 486-6808 or go to www.ThePointofArt.net.

•The Point of Art Gallery’s one-woman show, “Tapestry — life stories in paintings,” by Laura Connely runs through Christmas. The gallery is open Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or just call ahead and they’ll open for you. Call (706) 486-6808 for more information or visit www.ThePointofArt.net.

•The Hampton Fine Art Gallery features the art of the talented Hampton family — Cameron, Raindance and Lisa through the end of the year. In January 2011 they plan an international exhibition. For more information, visit www.artistcameronhampton.com or call (706) 454-2161.

Go out and explore this rich world of art and the abundance of excellent artists we have in Georgia. Visit our theaters, festivals and galleries, pick up brochures about art loops/tours – and set off on a voyage of discovery.  E-mail me if you have something on your mind at anne@ThePointofArt.net

— Submitted by Anne Jenkins