About Us and Our Sponsors

Our History

In 1970, a group of art enthusiasts saw a need for an art association to support the arts in Forsyth County.  Prompted by an announcement placed in the Forsyth County News to “anyone interested in joining an art association,” approximately 30 local residents met in the town of Cumming’s only high school, Forsyth Central, to discuss taking this idea to the next level.  Thus began the organization known at that time as The Sawnee Association of the Arts. This name was later changed to the Sawnee Artists Association.

The group met with the mayor and other organizations within the county.  With a starting grant of only $100, the crusade for the art center began with its first venue … an art exhibition at The Old Jackson Building on the square in Cumming.  Then in 1979, after more than a decade of tireless fund raising, the Association was able to put a down payment on a 13-acre tract of land in Cumming. Energized by this major step, the group launched an all-out campaign to reach their goal of procuring enough funds to eventually build a community art center.

After several large donations and fundraising drives on the part of its members, the original tract of land was traded for a tract on Tribble Gap Road in Cumming.  The organization was now 400 members strong and included artists, actors, attorneys, realtors, commissioners, bankers and other influential leaders in the community.  Then, in 1980, local artist and SAA member, Greg Johnson, was able to acquire a development grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts and, in 1991, ground was broken on the site.  With the aid of several large donations and a grant from the Office of the Governor, equipment was purchased for the building and The Sawnee Center was officially opened in 1992. In 2002, the SAA opened The Hamilton Gallery which allowed members to showcase their work.

Due to unforeseen events, the gallery was closed in 2005 and the Sawnee Center was sold.  At this time. The Sawnee Association was reorganized and renamed The Sawnee Artists Association.  The Sawnee Artists Association continues to serve the Forsyth County Community as a non-profit organization.  Through exhibitions, festivals, scholarships, educational opportunities and other events, SAA is able to provide exciting opportunities for artists and supporters of the arts.

In 2018, SAA signed a least agreement with the City of Cumming to rent the Brannon-Heard House in downtown Cumming.  Currently, we showcase our member’s art and provide a Bistro coffee shop in that historic location. 

You can support our organization with a monetary donation, or join us as a member – both can be done on our website. 

It is through the generous support of people like you that the Sawnee Artists Association is able to continue its goal to serve the citizens of  Forsyth County and surrounding areas.