Menagerie of Art: A Unique Experience
A visit to Menagerie on Main opens the door for a new type of art adventure. Canton is a town difficult to seduce through art, but owner Jamie Foreman hopes to change all that.
![Menagerie on Main Jamie Foreman](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=b2db8c184b281441aab7f2b15bcc9a73 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8da2e9c75f5eb4f6d01fd0f34237cc12 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=08d441233cc54149ee03dd99f054936f 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=e03eb07670b7129f5924ee556dae6a5f 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=0767b4ab8cbd99d76f969b83a4e08137 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=a6df74ce9c3a00b63c62b3105825912d 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=1519808e617561881943bbb35580b067 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=f1078e2263ff587261e0bc2b0d29f559 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=e8a597d79f7bf09475d341fd58b140d7 3840w)
When you walk into the cozy, century-old, repurposed house in Canton’s entertainment district, it’s rather like walking into your grandmother’s kitchen. The airy, sunny rooms and positive energy envelop you the second you step through the front door. Foreman has created a space that is warm, inviting, and eclectic. Each room has a unique mood, well-supplemented by natural light and Foreman’s impeccable taste.
Menagerie on Main is not your typical art gallery, though. Foreman wants the space to be more than a gallery or cooperative. She hopes to create an art center that encourages cultural exchange with its visitors. There are no eager gallerinas here, trying to make a sale; instead, visitors are encouraged to browse as they like, to ask questions, and to learn about the artists. Education is an important focus of this space. Foreman offers weekly classes, taught by local artists.
![Menagerie on Main](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=decbf59dd9b74c769bada5700fe3230a 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f2d87b3cf3cd90025ce0e8943956e749 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=08f44d743170048fa19352eb4a84ff7d 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=c8f09b2c30f242d9ac2922798b31f35c 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=88bbf37d42812a5bc88828552712113b 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=638b4b79e91aa1f75698677d31934e63 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=c555e406f4231b7b4b42e42ab1ee8007 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=0e21b33cf964e5395bc39c417aae21c6 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=b659610f782e9b4ce8644d261ccdf027 3840w)
Foreman hopes to challenge people with the idea of what art can be. “I want it to be more than a store. I want it to be community-oriented. Something that takes hold, influences. I don’t see this as an isolated shop. I feel like there is a bigger picture,” she explains.
The venue is not just a retail store, although you can purchase beautiful art, jewelry, and crafts here. Menagerie on Main is a place you want to linger. Foreman’s encyclopedic knowledge of the pieces and of the artists is formidable, but she is never intrusive. She lets patrons take their time and find a piece that speaks to them. She acts as guide, narrator, and translator of artistic vision.
![Menagerie on Main inside](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4daaa546f99e5ddca608ed88e40bac7c 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5acafc8b26cd5d9bfd0a4dc3c0039f87 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=62c1c0025e7361bf35bd5281737ffa00 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a9256b8bddc54471fa425ab2f07fbc13 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=1730ddf1dc26d1d63eef5a29ecb232be 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=fdb01263f6bc469616a98e53aa9f2154 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=40a430e717dcf990620bb6ab24279eb8 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=1d34cf53646f7d8ffee2a265392d6fda 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Menagerie-on-Main-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=4328b2966704030a1cc55d9922418500 3840w)
Art is in her blood. As the daughter of an artist, Jamie grew up surrounded by art and artists, and even makes her own gorgeous jewelry. This venture is a chance for her to not only indulge her own creative muse, but to encourage it in others. “I recognized how important doing something creative was in my life, and this space is the result.”
Foreman celebrates local artists and artisans. All of the artists featured at Menagerie on Main live and work less than an hour away. When browsing the space, you can see works by Philip Gard, Clint Brownlee, Jennifer Griffin, Olivia McKinley, Jude Lindquist, and Anna Ladefoged, among many others. While Foreman calls Menagerie on Main a work in progress, it already feels complete. Menagerie on Main is like a fair for adults, with something new around every corner. Every table and every wall beckon you to stop and take a closer look. Jamie Foreman is the heart and soul of this comprehensive exhibition, and she celebrates and uplifts both the artists and the lucky visitors that take the time to open her door.
This article was featured in the Historic Canton magazine. Read more.
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351 W Main St Canton, GA 30114 (404) 798-4279