Greater Dalton Legacy Collection
This collection is represented by local artists that have donated abstract art and other pieces to be on display in a permanent collection at the Historic Post Office located at 100 S. Hamilton Street. This building houses the offices of the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, The Carpet & Rug Institute, and CARE (Carpet America Recovery Effort).
Meet the Artists
Routh Cline
Routh Cline, acrylic, “Transition." It is an expressionist version of the transformation of plant life, from seed, to bud, to maturity.
Cline received her education at The University of Tennessee and graduated with a B. F. A., Painting and Drawing degree. She furthered her education at the graduate level at The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, and Atlanta College of Art. She received the National Endowment for the Arts/Southern Arts federation in 1992, and the Gillman Award for Drawing from the University of Tennessee.
Marie Stull Crosby
Marie Stull Crosby, acrylic, “The Dancers." Non-objective exercise in color, texture, and composition.
Paul Fontana
Paul Fontana, acrylic on canvas, “Progress, Industry, Vision." Muted colors, metallic paint, visual, and tactile texture, with various elements symbolizing the title.
Acrylic on canvas, “El Centro." Textured, layered geometric abstract of El Centro (Downtown).
Tayler Hayes
Tayler Hayes, acrylic, “Lilly Marie.” Large abstract peacock.
Melanie Suggs
Melanie Suggs, industrial photos on stainless steel. The photos are a collection of colorful yard and manufacturing equipment.
From the series “American Manufacturing," these digitally-manipulated images of machines, controls, and logistical equipment were taken inside the various production facilities. The series celebrates beauty and pattern in the production line and the strength of the country’s economic backbone. Printed on dibond aluminum composite, which is manufactured in America.
Heidi Ingle
Heidi Ingle, acrylic on canvas, “Calm” abstract landscape.
Kris Kelly Stanfield
Kris Kelly Stanfield, photos “The Mayfield Man” and “The Barn at Prater’s Mill” both taken at Prater’s Mill. Kris also contributed the “W & A Railroad Tunnel” at Tunnel Hill.
Elizabeth “Liz” Swafford
Elizabeth “Liz” Swafford, mixed media acrylic on canvas with Gesso, matt medium, newspaper, scrap paper, felt wool, modeling paste, glitter, hemp thread, stamping ink and stain, and three small pieces of a civil war era belt to create “Sunset at Mt. Rachel” with the Christmas star shining.
“Sunset at Crown Mills” is mixed media acrylic on canvas with Gesso, matt medium, newspaper, scrap paper, cotton balls, hemp thread, modeling paste, glitter, stain, stamping ink, small metal gears, felt wood, and gold ink.
Bradley Wilson
Bradley Wilson, acrylic, “Powder." Abstract with whites, grays and pinks.
John H. Wilson
John H. Wilson, acrylic on canvas, “Monday” is an expressionism piece. Acrylic on canvas, “Foothills” is an impressionistic painting of the mountains of North Georgia.
in memory of Robert J. Saunders
This Matisse rug “Mimosa” was given to the Carpet & Rug Institute in memory of Robert J. Saunders.
Paula Plott Gregg
Meet Paula Plott Gregg — Paula is a native Daltonian. She began her formal artistic career in the textile industry. Her work as a fine artist became known in the Dalton area for her residential and commercial murals. She currently spends her days in the studio where she works on commissioned paintings, portraits, custom design jewelry, folk art, and commercial contract carpet design. She painted the pieces in the Main Level Conference room that highlights historic landmarks in Downtown Dalton. The background is an historic photo of Downtown Dalton believed to be from the early 1900’s. Paula painted several area landmarks that are displayed in a unique dimensional way on the background photo. The landmarks include Crown Mill, the Clisby Austin House, the Downtown Motor Inn sign, the historic Post Office, the old Freight Depot, Dalton State College Bell Tower, Prater’s Mill, and Dalton City Hall.
Gene Mealor
Born in Chattanooga, Gene Mealor grew up during the Great Depression and World War II. While visiting family in North Georgia, he developed a love for the region and its people. Mealor obtained a degree in art from the University of Chattanooga and pursued a career in commercial art for 30 years. As a graphic artist for Brown Industries, Mealor employed his use of watercolor and eye for detail to create images that captured the process and products of the printing business. In an era before digitization, these handmade renderings of equipment and products appeared in brochures and printed materials to promote Brown Industries. Today this art work is displayed on the walls of the company as a fitting reminder of his history.
Mealor’s art is displayed in the lobby, the kitchen, the catering kitchen, and a unique collage of his work is mounted on the curved wall to the lower level.
Local Artists and Designers
Kellie Smith
Growing up in Dalton, Kellie Smith developed her professional career in both retail and the design industry. As a carpet designer and colorist, her creative talents blossomed early and her designs were integrated into the décor of office buildings, hotel chains, and commercial establishments all over the world.
After expanding her talents into the retail market where she catered to the gift and home accessory sector, Kellie formalized her training by earning her Residential Planning degree from The Art Institute. Kellie now focuses on residential and commercial design, textile design, as well as furniture design.
Having a great love of her hometown, Kellie volunteers her time to multiple community projects. She resides in Dalton with her husband Chris, and two children, Gage and Jody.
Melanie Suggs
A Dalton native, Melanie Suggs never strayed far from her artistic roots even while serving as executive director of Washington DC’s non-profit marketing and events organization, a convention center CEO in Maryland or as the director of the local joint development authority. In college, Melanie studied painting and later completed photography intensives at the Royal College of Art in London. Her recent pieces include the “American Manufacturing Series," where she expresses her deep respect for the country’s manufacturing heritage through abstract digital imagery.
Catherine Evans Whitener (1880-1964)
Through Catherine Evans Whitener, the chenille bedspread industry became an immense success in the Northwest Georgia region which eventually paved the ground for the multi-million dollar carpet industry.
John Clymer’s classic painting, “The Hauler” depicts the hauler delivering the stamped sheeting and yarn.
In 2001, Catherine Evans Whitener was inducted into the Georgia Women of Achievement. This award recognizes and honors women native to or clearly identified by the State of Georgia.
Catherine Evans Whitener is the centerpiece of the main gallery, artwork by Paula Plott Gregg.
This multimedia collage entitled “Catherine’s Journey” depicts various historical landmarks and leaders throughout Dalton’s history.
100 South Hamilton Street, Dalton, GA, 30720
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