When Athens resident Paul Deaton placed a bid on a climate-controlled storage unit nearly two years ago, he expected to find a few interesting items and hoped for some paintings or collectibles.
What he uncovered instead was a carefully preserved trove of West African art that had been sealed away for nearly 25 years.
“I could tell right away it was something special,” Deaton said. “The boxes were full of malachite, carvings, and paintings, all neatly packed. Whoever owned it cared deeply about it.”
Deaton, who works for Dalton Carpet One but has spent more than two decades buying and selling antiques and art online, purchased the contents after learning the original owner had passed away. The woman, he said, had paid to store the pieces for more than two decades.
“When I did the math, she must’ve spent around $60,000 keeping it safe,” he said. “It obviously meant a lot to her.”
Now, that same collection, including about 500 pieces of artwork, masks, sculptures, and textiles, will make its public debut Oct. 11-20 at Barrel 118 in Eatonton. Deaton partnered with venue owners Kevin and Sarah Tomson-Hooper to transform the space into a temporary gallery, showcasing a vibrant range of works that reflect both traditional and modern African artistry.
Many of the paintings trace back to Nigeria’s Oshogbo School, Deaton said, an art movement born in the 1960s that helped define modern African expression.
Among the featured names is Rufus Ogundele, one of the movement's best-known artists.
“Most of what’s hanging on the walls comes from Oshogbo or artists who studied there,” he said. “Some pieces are signed, others are not — but every one of them has incredible energy.”
Each artwork will be individually priced, with prices starting about $100 and reaching into several thousands, though Deaton notes the event isn’t purely commercial. Organizers are also planning a silent auction during the second weekend, with proceeds to benefit a local charity.
On Saturday, Oct. 18, the exhibition will feature a live African dance and drumming performance coordinated by Laura Garcia of The Arts Barn and a University of Georgia instructor, bringing an authentic cultural element to the show.
For Deaton, what began as an unexpected discovery has become a labor of love.
“It’s been a wonderful road, learning about the art and the people behind it,” he said. “I never planned on finding something like this, but now I get to share it with others. That’s really the best part.”
Visit barrel118.com/african-art for details, photos, and specific times for each date. Private showings available upon request.