About Us

The Gallery 51 Event Facility

The original warehouse building was built for William Carter Co. in 1950 for Carter’s Baby Clothes, which outgrew the building in the 1960’s.  They sold it to local, Thorpe Hill – who owned the local feed and seed store in Forsyth at that time.

In 1968, Hill sold the building to the Newton family, who had a family owned local textile company, Trio Manufacturing. One of the uses of the facility was to make kite string for Hi-Flyer Kite company in Decatur, IL.  Back then Hi-Flyer Kite was the largest kite manufacturing company around. Hi-Flyer Kite sold their company in the late 1970’s and exported their work in the 1980’s. Trio Manufacturing eventually outgrew the building and bought property locally to further expand their business.  

The building then sat empty for 10 years, until 2000 when Celia and Jim Henigman moved in with ATG Studio Inc., their stained glass business. They became of the official owners of the 22, 000 sf warehouse  in 2006. Today it houses both ATG Studio, a professional stained glass studio, and Gallery 51, Forsyth’s Premier Event Facility.

Company History

In the mid 1980’s, Celia Henigman first opened her stained glass studio in a small shop in downtown Macon.  She later moved the company to the City of Forsyth with a studio in the old “Helen’s Flower Shop” house.  In 2000, she took ATG Studio to a new location, 51 W. Adams St., in Forsyth and has been here ever since.

The vision for Gallery 51 was birthed by a need for a place to gain education in the arts through workshops, seminars and classes. Because art and artists are often misunderstood, it is important for us to reach out and try to educate others on the study and creation art.

While Gallery 51 no longer offers all of those education opportunities, it has evolved into Forsyth's Premier Event Facility. Gallery 51 is a 5000 square foot art gallery offers a warm cultural ambiance unlike any event facility in the area. The ceiling is adorned with a ten foot stained glass ceiling. The building's original tung and groove flooring adds character and lends itself as perfect dance floor during events. The walls are filled with original artworks which provide a décor unlike any other event facility in the area and, Gallery 51’s commitment to your event will ensure a flawless and picturesque evening from start to finish.

As you enjoy our website, you are encouraged to see the positive aspects of life, to dream, to have hope, to smile, to enjoy and see life as beautiful.