Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge will be hosting a different artist each weekend through November 9th, 2008.

The artistic talent ranges from painting to pottery, and from pen & ink to hand carved bowls, with artists selling their products and demonstrating their skills. Jessie Kay Collins, from Blairsville, GA, will be the featured artist in the Lodge this weekend. Jessie's wildlife and landscape paintings capture the beauty and spirit of the Appalachian Mountains.

She will be demonstrating and displaying her work for purchase in the Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge Lobby on Saturday, October 25th from 10am to 6pm, and Sunday, October 26th from 10am to 5pm.

Three years ago, after a career in corporate interior design, Jessie began watercolor landscape painting. Initially self taught, recent workshops with Wayne Spradley, Ralph Taylor, Marie Paule Roc in Grenoble, France, and renowned Western artist Karen Vance helped expand this new artist's level of work.

Jessie says that nature itself has been a great teacher on her many pleine aire sessions. Started on backpacking hikes, her Appalachian Trail limited edition prints are widely known and collected. Ms. Collins' work can be found in galleries and gift shops, published in magazines and books, and featured in juried exhibitions and regional shows. A member of the North Georgia Art Guild and the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, some of her work can be seen at www.georgiaartists.org.

The $3 Park Pass allows you to enjoy a day of art and adventure with your family. All artist demonstrations and regular public programs are free of charge.

For more information, call the Programming Department at (706) 265-1969 or visit the State Parks website at www.gastateparks.org. Amicalola Falls State Park is located between Dahlonega and Ellijay on Highway 52.