​This year the Franklin County Arts Guild celebrates over thirty years of higher education scholarships to deserving Franklin County students who want to pursue art or art education at the college level. As a part of that celebration, the next community art show “Art as Teacher” celebrates art as well art teachers as essential to understanding the world around us. The show features work that epitomizes how arts are used to teach history, science, and even math. One piece is by a teacher who was painting along with her students while teaching body and face proportions and light source using a live model. Interested community members, especially teachers and students of art are invited to the opening reception on Friday, May 12 at the Artisan Depot from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The show will run through June 18.

The Franklin County Arts Guild invites original contributions from Franklin County artists of all ages in any media for inclusion in its Community Arts Shows at the Artisan Depot. Individuals wishing to submit work for the next community show “Vacation” should submit their work at the Artisan Depot from June 15 through 18 during gallery operating hours. Each artist is invited to explore the theme in their own interpretation and to have fun with it.

The Artisan Depot is operated by the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland St. East in Cowan, TN. Gallery hours are 12 pm to 5 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays and 11 am to 5 pm on Saturdays.

For more information about upcoming community art shows, the gallery or the guild visit us at www.fcaguild.wordpress.com or www.facebook.com/artisandepot or contact Diana Lamb at 931-308-4130.

Margie Gallagher approaches her role as Artisan Depot gallery coordinator with heart, enthusiasm, and professionalism. She makes sure our gallery runs smoothly, works with the people who schedule member artists to work in the gallery, organizes the jurying of new artists, inspires the community art shows, and generally makes it all go.

For four years, Margie has done the job of public relations for the gallery. She has also has secured and managed grants for the Guild totaling over $10,000, helping us move forward in our goals to promote art, artists, and art education in Franklin County. She is constantly developing new venues and ways for local artists to gain recognition and to be successful.

"Working with our guild as coordinator of the Artisan Depot has been satisfying, enlightening and challenging. I have been able to build on the efforts of its previous volunteer coordinators, especially Pat Underwood and Frances Perea," said Margie. "I am particularly appreciative of groups across the county who support the FCAG and the Artisan Depot, like the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, the Veterans Administration and particularly Cowan Development Inc. who provides us with the space for the Artisan Depot. Finally, I am indebted to our gallery artists who volunteer endlessly to do hundreds of tasks that keep the gallery open and looking great."

An artist herself, Margie works in paint, collage, carving, and mixed media. She and her sidekick, Rocky, are fixtures at the weekly Wednesday Art Days in Cowan; this is free and open to the public. She particularly enjoys working with children on art projects at local events.

Born and raised on a farm in Franklin County, Margie moved back to the county after her retirement as professor emerita and senior scientist from East Carolina University.

Please let Margie know, in person and in the comments below, how much she means to the Guild and the local arts community.