Suwanee's Art on a Limb is Back

SUWANEE, GA — Longtime Suwanee residents know to keep an eye on the tree branches in the spring – not just to enjoy the dogwood blooms, but to search for pieces from the City of Suwanee’s annual Art on a Limb program. This year, however, treasure hunters don’t need to look up; they have to look down.

“We decided to change things up a bit this year by choosing fairy doors as our Art on a Limb piece,” said City of Suwanee Events & Outreach Manager Amy Doherty. “We like to keep the citizens on their toes.”

A fairy door is a tiny door most commonly found among the roots or in the knot of a tree. They’re gateways through which our imaginations can play in the magical realms – and through which fairies can visit our world.

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“Finders can put their fairy doors out in their yard or even inside their houses,” said Doherty. “Experts suggest leaving a welcome gift at the threshold. If the present is gone the next morning, you can be certain that a fairy has moved in.”

Through the Art on a Limb program, the City of Suwanee hides two pieces of art along one of the greenways or within city parks each day throughout the month of May. Those who find the art pieces get to keep them!

Luck art hunters are encouraged to share their finds on social media using the hashtag #artonalimb2018.

This year’s Art on a Limb piece was created by Bloomington, Indiana artist Tommie Smith. The fairy doors are hand sculpted polymer clay with a finishing coat to protect them from the elements (though the doors should not be left outside in freezing temperatures). The artist does not use any paint – all color variations result from using different colors of clay.

Smith began her work with polymer clay creating ‘pot people,’ then moved onto beads and dollhouse miniatures before making the logical jump to fairy doors. Each fairy door is unique and one-of-a-kind.

For more information regarding Suwanee’s Art on a Limb program, please contact City of Suwanee Events & Outreach Manager Amy Doherty at adoherty@suwanee.com or 770-904-3387.

Photos courtesy City of Suwanee