Hello from Hummingbird Lane Art Gallery!

It’s been a busy summer! Since our last news letter, we’ve had a lot going on in Dahlonega, and here at the gallery. August and September are proving to be busy as well, and then we’ll be approaching fall. Can you believe how time flies!? Let me tell you what’s going on:

Anyone who has been in the gallery lately, has seen me with my head in the computer, typing away. We've been working on our latest adventure in Dahlonega, and we're finally ready to introduce you to our newest addition to the family.

Dahlonegaweddings.com is the most comprehensive wedding planning site in North Georgia. This website is designed to help bridal couples getting married plan their weddings, make choices based on the businesses in Dahlonega, and communicate their choices to their families and friends. Couples can build a website, complete with photographs, their love story, and their plans for their dream wedding. They can recommend accommodations, they can register for gifts and let their guests know where they are registered, and they can show folks their engagement photos and announcements. By participating in Dahlonegaweddings.com, couples save time, gas, and frustration, by having all of their choices at their fingertips.

Dahlonegaweddings.com will have its public debut at the Under the Sea Bridal Show, August 17, 2008. We can't wait to un-veil Dahlonega as the most beautiful wedding destination in the Southeast to the 1,000 + brides who are scheduled to attend!

We’re really excited to be entering the wedding business, and look forward to assisting couples who have chosen Dahlonega as their choice for the perfect destination wedding! If you or anyone you know is planning a wedding, be sure to check out Dahlonegaweddings.com!

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Todd's big news is that he has taken his first step into being a professional artist, by joining our friends at Bleu Gallery. Since we bought Hummingbird Lane, we've both been amazed at how our own artwork has been flowing out of us. While I've been playing in the mud, Todd's been painting up a storm. Check out Todd's photo gallery , and you'll see that he's been exploring different techniques, studying with different artists, observing and absorbing the work of our artists, and truly becoming my favorite artist, not to mention that he was already my favorite person in the world! I really didn't know that my husband was so talented!

However, he's been painting in our garage, with poor lighting, and not much atmospheric inspiration. When a space opened at Bleu, Todd's initial response was, “Oh My Goodness, how I would love to have studio space there!” The artists at Bleu are some of our favorites: Terry Ergle, with his abstracts, Beth Brightwell, with paintings in which you could almost dance to their music, Mike Miller, with his incredible portrait work, and Helen Miller, my wonderful pottery teacher.

Be sure to stop by on the weekends, where most likely you will see Todd wiggling to music while he creates one of his paintings. We’re really excited for him, and look forward to seeing his next creations, and how being surrounded by these awesome artists gives him new ideas for his work. He’s already been inspired by Beth, as his latest painting, called BB Bleu, depicts his latest booby angel riding a dragon fly (instead of Beth’s Harley!), and waiving her paintbrush all through the air.

Good luck Todd on your new venture in the art world. Congratulations!!! Don’t ever forget that I’m your biggest fan!!!

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Literary Festival - This weekend, August 8 through the 10th. Check out www.literaryfestival.org for a complete schedule! Hummingbird Lane has a full schedule of events, so stop by on your tour!

Don't miss the 2008 Dahlonega Literary Festival and the IQ Quiz & Scavenger Hunt!

Greetings literary enthusiasts! The 2008 Dahlonega Literary Festival & Writer's Conference is scheduled for August 8th through August 10th.

We are excited to have Steve Berry, making a rare public appearance, as one of our headliners. Sharing the stage with Steve as headliners are Karen Abbott, Patti Callahan Henry and Joshilyn Jackson! Nathalie Dupree will be demonstrating the preparation of “Shrimp and Grits” at Montaluce Vineyard.

The 2008 Dahlonega Literary Festival will also feature Mitchell Graham, Dana Wildsmith, Lenore Hart, William Rawlings, Mark Braught and Laura Knorr Braught, Jackie Cooper, Cathy Kaemmerlen, Walter Sorrells, Karen White, Jack Bass and the Dixie Divas: Julie Cannon, J.L. "Jackie" Miles and Patricia Sprinkle.

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Appalachian Jam on the Square

Every Saturday afternoon, May – October, pickers from all over the SE convene for a pickin’ party on the Gold Museum lawn to entertain our guests and fill the air with wonderful Appalachian bluegrass. Pickers convene from 1-6 p.m., so come on to Dahlonega and Shop, Dine, Discover and Dance! Sponsored by the Dahlonega Merchants Association and Our Downtown Development Authority.

Appalachian Jam sessions are becoming a great habit for lots of folks in the area these days! There’s been lots of great pickers showing up, so ya’ll miss this chance to come and unwind on the Historical Square of Dahlonega. And don’t forget to come up and see the new work we’ve gotten in, as we’re adding new items every day!

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When I finally was able to look up from the computer after Dahlonegaweddings.com went live, I found that the gallery wasn’t looking its best. New work had come in, and work had been sold – a lot of changes that affected how the artwork looked and felt. Bonnie and I got to work in early August, and have given the gallery a face lift, and she’s looking beautiful! Actually, Bonnie’s still working on it now, while I write this message. We were here late into the evenings, and early in the mornings, and I think you’ll be amazed at how a simple rotation can change the look of artwork.

Have you ever had a piece of artwork that simply disappeared when you thought you had found the perfect spot for it? Try moving your artwork around, and see how it takes on a whole new life! When a painting or any other piece of art is brought into a home, it takes on whole new meaning, new energy, bringing its own beauty into the new space it occupies. I find it amazing what artwork does for a home! I call the work we represent “live artwork” as it is the creation of a living artist, with intention, to share with you. That’s why people report that they “feel good” when they are here in the gallery: because of the work that’s here, the music we play, and the overall collection of talent we’re so proud to surround ourselves with and share with you.

So, we've got the energy all stirred up, and the gallery feels really, really great! Stop by and see us, and see if you find a piece that will bring new life into your space! I’m certain you’ll be happy you did!

Hummingbird Lane Art Gallery is open until 7 Friday and Saturdays until Daylight Savings Time ends, and often even later. Make sure to include us on your stroll through town!

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Every 1st Friday of the month, downtown Dahlonega’s Connor House lawn fills with lawn chairs, and people come out to hear a different band, visit with friends, meet and greet musicians, and generally enjoy the magic that makes Dahlonega so special. You’ll see the mayor, Gary McCollough, tapping his toes. You’ll see babies grinning and dancing, and neighbors greeting neighbors. September’s Concert will be played by: Greybeard, Traditional Bluegrass Instruments and Outstanding vocal harmonies, this group breaks the bluegrass mold and performs favorites from many styles of  music.

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Six Gap, September 28, 2008

The Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 20th Annual Six Gap Century and Three Gap Fifty Bike Ride – Tour of the North Georgia Mountains, presented by Dahlonega Wheelworks.

Coming on September 28, 2008 and taking place in Georgia's Premier Cycling Venue, the Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty boasts many of the same roads and mountain climbs as the elite Tour de Georgia. Come ride the Ride of the Pros!
The Six Gap Century’s ultra challenging route takes you up and down six of the steepest climbs in the North Georgia Mountains. Test your stamina with more than 10,700 feet of vertical climbing over the 100 mile course. Elevations for the six gaps in this ride range from 2,949 feet to 3,490 feet. The toughest climb, Hogpen Gap, will test even the strongest riders, averaging a 7% grade for seven miles, with sections as steep as 15%.

The Three Gap Fifty’s alternative route offers half the gaps and half the distance, but is nevertheless a demanding and challenging course. Elevations range from 3,109 feet to 3,280 feet.

For More Information, please visit Cycle North Georgia.

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Don’t you think that’s plenty going on, for a small town, and a small business in North Georgia!??

Ya’ll take care, and come see us soon! We’ve got our best dress on, and we’re ready for company!

- Todd, Amy & Bonnie
Hummingbird Lane Art Gallery
www.hummingbirdlaneartgallery.com

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