SamG Land - Atlas Obscura

SamG Land

Clarkesville, Georgia

A wonderland of folk art including the World’s Largest Grit.  

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Sam Granger (aka World Famous SamG), has turned his home and yard into a folk-art paradise. In the woods of Hollywood, Georgia, near Clarkesville, SamG crafts intricate works of art, from a variety of found materials. Stop by and check out the ever-growing collection, including the world’s largest grit.

SamG has done a lot of things. He’s been an auctioneer, a counselor for at-risk youth, an artist and, most recently, the creator of a one-of-a-kind art environment on his property.

In 2007, at 37 years old, SamG picked up a paintbrush, painted his first picture, and never looked back. Since then, SamG, and his art, have become very well known. He regularly packed up his work and traveled the art show circuit. It was fun until it wasn’t. SamG grew tired of the ways of the art business. He decided to stay home. If folks wanted his art, they could come to him.

Soon after, SamG started building SamG Land to create his own world. One that was fun to live in, and would provide joy to visitors. Over the years, Sam has created hundreds of fantastical creatures out of car parts, old appliances, industrial piping, oil drums, roofing metal, trash cans, tin cans, and metal fans.

It’s on his terms though. Folks kept asking about a bottle house, so SamG dragged a shopping cart full of bottles into the woods and left them, with a sign reading “future bottle house.”

SamG sees SamG Land as a temporary art installation—three acres of Peace, Love, and Bullshit. “After I’m gone”, he says, “tear it down.” But while it’s still here—visit SamG Land, SamG’s studio and art gallery, as well as the pottery studio of Lorri Penn.

Know Before You Go

Traveling north on US 23 from Clarkesville, exit at Tom Born Road and turn left, then take an immediate right into the Chevron station. Take the small (hard to find) ramp to the far right, next to the diesel pumps, and follow the road into the woods. You must jump the ramp to enter the portal to SamG Land.


Open most of the time. Email samgfolkart@gmail.com with any questions or to set up a tour. Donations welcome.

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