If you haven't yet journeyed to The Franklin Square Gallery in Southport you are in for a real treat. The Gallery is the home of the Associated Artists of Southport, a non-profit organization dedicated to the cultural enrichment of the community.

The building itself is worth the trip. The stately building is set behind Franklin Park among some of the oldest and most beautiful live oaks in the area. The gallery sells a booklet detailing the rich history of FSG which was originally built as a school in 1904 but has served as City Hall, a community building , a library and now an art gallery with a painting and drawing classroom. If you don't want the book our helpful volunteers will be glad to tell you all about the place . Come and wander through.

The art gallery has been run by volunteer artists from the Associated Artists of Southport for over thirty years. Inside you will find the work of talented local artists perhaps including some of your neighbors if you live in the area. The Oak Island Quilters hold their annual quilt competition at the gallery, students from local schools have annual shows in our student gallery and photography shows make an annual appearance.

Behind the gallery and behind the great live oaks known as the four sisters sits the new potters studio. For now it is situated in the old fire department on East Nash Street. There, Brunswick Community College runs pottery classes. All learner levels are welcome. From these classes have come works by residents who have unleashed their inner muse through clay. Go inside. Introduce yourself to Kimberly, the instructor. It is a wonderful space!

You don't have to be a member or take classes to enjoy the Franklin Square Gallery. Honestly, this place should be your first stop when shopping for hostess gifts, beautiful handcrafted casseroles, tea pots, wall art, holiday gifts, or fine art for your home. The prices are affordable. There are myriad objects that you should just come to see and enjoy. One of the local artists will be there to answer any questions or to just chat.

Shopping at FSG helps fund the community outreach programs. Some of the AAS outreach programs include children's pottery and painting classes, Kid's Art Day, painting classes for seniors and Empty Bowls.

In 2009 Brunswick county potters made 1030 bowls which sold to support the local food bank. We sold every one, and as a result, we are able to donate $11,500 to the Food Bank. Local restaurants who donated soup for the bowls helped make it all possible.

The gallery is a swell place to take out of town visitors especially on those rainy or cold days when golf is out of the question. On the First Friday of almost every month the gallery teams up with other Southport businesses from 5-7pm. Enjoy free wine and cheese, exotic drinks and a carriage ride between venues as you shop and chat and enjoy an evening in Southport.

Be a supporterof the arts. Just come on in and visit!