29th Thomasville Wildlife Arts Festival to celebrate fine art, sporting life

THOMASVILLE – Thomasville Center for the Arts has become the heartbeat of the community’s cultural life, all thanks to the community members who envisioned it nearly four decades ago. Today, it attracts people of all ages to engage in the joy of artistic creation. The Center’s mission is simple yet powerful: to brighten lives through the arts.

Along with being a highlight on Thomasville’s autumn social calendar, the annual Wildlife Arts Festival is the Center for the Arts’ largest fundraising event, now entering its 29th year.

“In addition to being an extraordinary celebration of the sporting life through art, the festival raises important funds for the center’s annual operations and programming,” Erin Wolfe Bell, executive director of Thomasville Center for the Arts, said. “We want the entire community to come and be part of the festival.”

From workshops tailored for young participants and interactive experiences with wildlife, to adult gatherings and the highly anticipated Fine Art Show, the Wildlife Arts Festival caters to a wide range of interests and ensures there is something for everyone to enjoy.

According to Festival Chair Kate Sullivan Scovil, the event is a lively celebration of tradition, the beauty of the region, and the flourishing talent found in south Georgia. To mark the beginning of the 2024 festival, a bronze dedication and public art unveiling will take place at 6 p.m. on Nov. 7, at the center’s downtown “UnVacant Lot.” Notably, this event will pay homage to Diane Williams Parker and Sallie Sullivan, long-time friends of the Center, through sculptures created by artists Paul Rhymer and Walt Matia. The event is accompanied by a public art installation, and admission is free to the public.

On Nov. 9, the Red Hills Rover Rally makes its return. Guests can partake in a guided, off-road adventure through one of the world’s most notable and historic plantation properties. Along the way, lunch, libations, and carefully curated experiences add to the event. Rover enthusiasts can submit their vehicles for consideration on the Thomasville Center for the Arts website.

As the sun sets on Nov. 9, guests will indulge in an enchanting evening at Birdsong Nature Center for Whiskey in the Woods. In this outdoor setting, attendees will bask in the warmth of a bonfire while savoring hearty bites and spirits. The ambiance will be complemented by musical performances from Jason Byrd and the Kason Sellers Band. This event is ticketed and open to individuals ages 21 and above.

The second week of festival events revolves around the annual Fine Art Show weekend. On Nov. 15, festival underwriters are invited to attend the Fine Art Show preview party. Blending the elements of a gala and a gallery opening, this party is an enlightening evening celebrating the artistry of sporting and wildlife artists and craftsmen from all corners of the country. 

“Whether you’re happier in black-tie formal wear or brush pants, there’s something for you,” Ty Turner, market president of Synovus, long-time presenter of the festival’s Fine Art Show weekend. “The Fine Art Show & Artisan Market features dozens of works by outstanding sporting and wildlife artists and gives attendees a chance to interact with the artists themselves — talented painters, photographers, sculptors, carvers, jewelers, and other craftspeople.”

Nov. 16 and 17, are the centerpieces of the Wildlife Arts Festival, with the opening of the Fine Art Show and Artisan Market to the public. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the 16th, and noon to 4 pm on the 17th, entrance to the show and market is free thanks to the support of festival sponsors.

“Synovus is proud to support a festival that offers so much to our community,” Turner said. “When the people of Thomasville say that our city has something to offer everyone, we really mean it.”

Visitors can explore the exhibition and sale, accompanied by live music, interactive workshops, family-friendly activities, close encounters with wildlife, and local culinary delights amidst the majestic oak trees at Thomasville’s historic Center for the Arts. In addition to perusing the art and shopping at the market, guests can also participate in a selection of complimentary and ticketed add-on events within the show:

• Wildlife Art Workshop – Led by artist Trish Land on the 16th, this event is open to beginners and experienced artists alike, who will be guided to create their own acrylic depiction of a longleaf pine forest. Tickets are required for this event. All materials and refreshments will be provided.

• Creative Covey Floral Workshop – On the 17th, due to popular demand, guest floral designer Canaan Marshall will once again lead participants in crafting custom-designed pieces that incorporate natural elements to bring the beauty of the outdoors into their homes. Tickets are required for this event.

• Land + Lore Education Series – Throughout both days of the show, visitors will have the opportunity to listen and learn from conservationists, filmmakers, and storytellers as they impart knowledge about the crucial importance of local ecosystems management and land conservation. This year’s film selections include “Good Fire, Bad Fire,” “A Tortoise Called Pumpkin Spice,” and “Devouring Beauties: The Remarkable Pitcher Plant.” This educational series is free for all.

A host of activities designed for youths are offered during the Fine Art Show weekend, as well:

• Beguiled by the Wild | Youth Art Workshops – Led by artists Dave Junker and Karen Stauffer, these workshops offer four different times for students ages 5-17 to create a mini-masterpiece while learning about local wildlife and ecosystems. All materials are provided, and it’s free for center members or $10 for non-members.

• Youth Wildlife Walkabout Stations – Immerse your child in the wonders of nature. Running throughout the weekend, these stations are designed to entertain and educate children about environmental conservation, local wildlife, and nature-inspired art. Kids can enjoy six different interactive stations filled with interesting trivia, hands-on activities, and more. Best of all, it’s free.

• Jr. Wildlife Arts Competition – Located in the center’s downstairs gallery, this exhibit showcases the creativity of students from Pre-K to grade 12. This year’s theme focuses on local plants and wildlife, encouraging young minds to think creatively about the natural world around them. Admission is free.

Nothing rounds out the schedule of festival events quite like the popular Bird Dog Bash. Taking place on Nov. 16, at the Sugar Hill Barn in Pebble Hill Plantation, this event is a lively celebration for artists, underwriters and friends. Enjoy boot-stomping music, bonfires, and a thrilling live auction featuring quick-draw works from festival artists. This ticketed event is for ages 21 and up only.

New this year, the center welcomes guests to experience an Art in the Wild exploration on Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Pebble Hill Plantation. Observe artists participating in the Wildlife Arts Festival as they create pieces of art of the surroundings of Pebble Hill’s historic property. Entrance fee is $10 at the gate.

This year, jurors chose painter Kathryn Mapes Turner to be the featured artist. Turner’s work unfolds from the mountain valley of Jackson Hole, Wyo., where she was born as the fourth generation to be raised on the Triangle X Ranch in Grand Teton National Park. Turner spent time in the Red Hills in April and will exhibit a room of works from the region at the Fine Art Show.

“With my art supplies, camera and journal, I took in all that I could, learning from an ecosystem so very different from my home in the Rocky Mountain west,” Turner said. “Like the black waters of the swamps, the Red Hills region is deep and rich with texture. I am looking forward to creating a collection of work inspired by the beauty of this corner of the world and sharing it in Thomasville this November.”

The Center is seeking Festival volunteers for several events. There are a variety of opportunities to sign up for and more information can be found on the Center’s website.

For a complete festival schedule, list of participating artists and artisans, ticket information for workshops and parties, as well as underwriter packages, visit thomasvillearts.org/wildlife or contact the Thomasville Center for the Arts at (229) 225-6461.

Special Photo: Thomasville Center for the ArtsSpecial Photo: Thomasville Center for the Arts