The River Rat Art Project (TRRAP) is a group of artists and artisans who recognized the need for an organization to promote the visual arts in small, rural communities in the Middle and South Georgia. The River Rat Art Project is a 501(c)3 organization and was formed for the following purposes:

• To support and encourage creativity for people of all ages

• To provide opportunities for working artisans to promote, sell, and exhibit their work

• To increase appreciation, participation in and patronage of the visual arts and fine crafts through educational activities such as lectures, tours, workshops, classes and exhibits

• To serve as an educational resource for students and educators in underserved areas where art education is not readily available or accessible.

Vicki Yawn Andrews, an artist and retired art teacher, began art lessons at an early age and has always been involved in some form of art. She holds an Associates in Art from ABAC, a Bachelor of Art in Drawing and Painting and Art Education from Georgia Southwestern University. After studying Graphic Design at UGA, she received a Masters in Integrating Art through the Curriculum from Lesley University. Vicki taught art for close to 40 years in public and private school systems. She retired as an Art teacher from the Houston County School System and taught Creative Arts for Teachers at Middle Georgia Technical College. Vicki was the owner of Mikasa Art Gallery, in Cordele, her hometown, for close to 20 years, where she taught art privately and did custom framing. Since retiring, Vicki creates her own Fine, Folk and Funky art under Plunder JUNK ART. Vicki and her husband Bill are active with the Perry Players Theatre group, and both work as Artist Contacts at the Georgia National Fair in the Fine Arts department. They have lived in Perry for 37 years but love seeing the world as they travel to see their son and his family, who live in Germany.

Need a Last-Minute Gift?

Need a Last-Minute Gift? We encourage you to shop small, local, and with your local artists and makers no matter where you live. Many of them can be found on Facebook. Here is a list of creatives who are members of The River Rat Art Project Guild. 

• Angela and Tony Woodard - Hand-turned Pens & Handcrafted Knives
• Danny Grimsley - Charcuterie Boards & Wooden Utensils 
• Deb Garner - Outsider Art & Ornaments 
• Gary Giles - Oil Paintings
• Irene Stone - Watercolor Paintings 
• Kenneth Hunter - Woodworking 
• Lee Dykes - Handcrafted Knives 
• Lynne Broome - Paintings & Drawings 
• Mary Jessup - Pottery 
• Michelle Horton - Stained Glass 
• Michaelle Humphries -Artisan Soaps 
• Nicholas Black - Oil Paintings 
• Paula Horton - Mixed Media Art
• Woods and Wife - Yard Art & Metal Sculpture 
• Valerie Sangster - Barn Quilts & Paintings 
• Vicki Andrews - Paintings & Folk Art 

If you can't find them on FB, email river.rat.art.project@gmail.com and we will get you their contact information.