Color photo: By Lucinda Bunnen, 1971 © Lucinda Bunnen B&W photo: By Judith Alexander Augustine, 1971 © Judith Alexander Augustine
Nellie Mae Rowe Exhibit
Donate to build a permanent outdoor exhibit about African-American folk artist Nellie Mae Rowe.
ABOUT NELLIE MAE ROWE
Nellie Mae Rowe was born in Fayette County, Georgia in 1900. Nellie’s father, formerly enslaved, was a blacksmith and farmer, and her mother was a skilled seamstress. Nellie spent many years helping cultivate cotton and other crops on a farm the family rented. As a child, Nellie enjoyed drawing, coloring, and learning to sew. “I wanted to be an artist, but I had to go to field,” Nellie recalled in 1976. “I didn’t have a chance to be what I wanted.”
At the age of 16, Nellie left the farm and married Ben Wheat. The couple moved to Vinings in Cobb County in 1930, and Nellie began domestic work. After Ben’s death, Nellie married Henry “Buddy” Rowe in 1936. Three years later, the couple built a clapboard house in Vinings along Paces Ferry Road. The house would eventually be transformed into what Nellie called her “playhouse.”
After Henry died, Nellie devoted herself to the creation of art. Nellie used a variety of materials to create paintings, drawings, sculptures, and outdoor decorations. “When other people have things that they don’t want they throw them away, but not me; I’m going to make something,” she said. “I’ve been that way ever since I was a child. I would take nothing and make something of it.”
Over the next few decades, thousands of people traveled to Vinings to see Nellie’s playhouse. “Everyone from architects
to the local deliveryman would stop and stare,” recalled one visitor. “It was an astounding creation.” In 1976 Nellie’s work was featured in an exhibit at the Atlanta History Center titled Missing Pieces: Georgia Folk Art 1770–1976. It was there that art collector Judith Alexander first became aware of Nellie Mae Rowe’s work. Judith and Nellie soon became friends, and Judith began promoting Nellie’s artwork nationwide. Nellie’s work was soon exhibited everywhere from Atlanta and New Orleans to Washington, D.C., and New York City. Nellie continued to create art until her death in 1982. Although her playhouse was eventually torn down, Nellie’s art can be found in museums and collections throughout the United States and abroad.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Cobb Landmarks is partnering with Kennesaw State University, Vinings Village Homeowners Association, The Judith Alexander Foundation, and High Museum of Art to produce a permanent outdoor exhibit about Rowe at the former site of her playhouse. We are currently seeking funds to produce weatherproof exhibit panels detailing Rowe’s legacy and her artwork.
ABOUT NELLIE MAE ROWE
Nellie Mae Rowe was born in Fayette County, Georgia in 1900. Nellie’s father, formerly enslaved, was a blacksmith and farmer, and her mother was a skilled seamstress. Nellie spent many years helping cultivate cotton and other crops on a farm the family rented. As a child, Nellie enjoyed drawing, coloring, and learning to sew. “I wanted to be an artist, but I had to go to field,” Nellie recalled in 1976. “I didn’t have a chance to be what I wanted.”
At the age of 16, Nellie left the farm and married Ben Wheat. The couple moved to Vinings in Cobb County in 1930, and Nellie began domestic work. After Ben’s death, Nellie married Henry “Buddy” Rowe in 1936. Three years later, the couple built a clapboard house in Vinings along Paces Ferry Road. The house would eventually be transformed into what Nellie called her “playhouse.”
After Henry died, Nellie devoted herself to the creation of art. Nellie used a variety of materials to create paintings, drawings, sculptures, and outdoor decorations. “When other people have things that they don’t want they throw them away, but not me; I’m going to make something,” she said. “I’ve been that way ever since I was a child. I would take nothing and make something of it.”
Over the next few decades, thousands of people traveled to Vinings to see Nellie’s playhouse. “Everyone from architects
to the local deliveryman would stop and stare,” recalled one visitor. “It was an astounding creation.” In 1976 Nellie’s work was featured in an exhibit at the Atlanta History Center titled Missing Pieces: Georgia Folk Art 1770–1976. It was there that art collector Judith Alexander first became aware of Nellie Mae Rowe’s work. Judith and Nellie soon became friends, and Judith began promoting Nellie’s artwork nationwide. Nellie’s work was soon exhibited everywhere from Atlanta and New Orleans to Washington, D.C., and New York City. Nellie continued to create art until her death in 1982. Although her playhouse was eventually torn down, Nellie’s art can be found in museums and collections throughout the United States and abroad.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Cobb Landmarks is partnering with Kennesaw State University, Vinings Village Homeowners Association, The Judith Alexander Foundation, and High Museum of Art to produce a permanent outdoor exhibit about Rowe at the former site of her playhouse. We are currently seeking funds to produce weatherproof exhibit panels detailing Rowe’s legacy and her artwork.
