Sunday, January 3, 2010

Tonia Mitchell Gallery & Bead Salon

A friend and fellow artist, Tonia Mitchell, called me today with exciting news. Tonia is a very talented fiber artist and doll-maker. A few years ago she had a wonderful display of her dolls at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on the international concourse for over a year. HGTV also sponsored a segment on her doll making.



Tonia has just opened a shop – Tonia Mitchell Gallery & Bead Salon in the new Olde Towne Morrow entertainment district in Morrow, Georgia. This area is brand new but has moved six old homes throughout Georgia to the district and they are being re-established as restaurants, ice cream parlors, galleries, shops, etc. They will eventually have a replica of Gone with the Wind’s Tara Plantation, which will house a bed-and-breakfast inn. 

Tonia's shop is in the Napier House, which was built in 1842 for Leroy Napier and was designed by Elias Carter. The 4,000 square foot house, which was Napier’s country home, was originally on 125 acres before it was moved in 1924 to Macon, Georgia. The house originally had twenty-six rooms before it was altered in order to house four apartments. The house was restored in 1948 by Buford Birdsey and in 1970 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Buford Birdsey – don’t you just love that name and you KNOW it has to be Southern!




Olde Towne Morrow is just off I75 South at the Southlake exit. Once you exit you'll turn right and turn into the Southlake Mall entrance.  Partway down towards the mall is a bridge to the right which houses Olde Towne. The gallery address is 1053 Southlake Circle, Bldg. 14, Suite 2, and has a sign saying Napier House out front. Tonia’s shop number is 678-876-7238 and she’s open from 11:00am until 5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday.


Tonia will have her own and other artists’ art for sale as well as a large selection of beads. And since Tonia is the bead queen – I can only imagine how many she has! She will also be sponsoring various art classes as the shop gets going.

I can’t wait to go and see it later this week. She has certainly untied one of those ribbons in her life. Way to go Tonia!

Untie a ribbon in your life – you might find an adventure!

5 comments:

  1. This makes me wish I lived in your area.
    Bill

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  2. LOL I can't wait to see the houses - I think this is a great idea for revitalizing a town!

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  3. this kid is amazed...lolJanuary 19, 2010 at 10:41 PM

    OMG!!! So, I took an unexpected turn into this development and visited Tonia's place today...what a delight! Her artistry was inspiring as each doll was a remnant of untold heritage...so cool! It was just amazing to learn Tonia's journey into making this gallery a reality! Amazing women such as Maya Angelou, Halle Berry, Beverly Guy-Sheftall are owners of her magnificent creations...amazing!

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  4. Tonia is a spiritual and gifted artist and doll maker. Congratulations on this new adventure, Tonia. I am a proud and lucky owner of two of Tonia's dolls and they are best friends!
    Valerie

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