Artists bring guitar artwork Due South

THOMASVILLE – Thomasville Center for the Arts, in partnership with Ashley + 1915 South and Hurst Boiler, welcomed 40 adult and 25 youth artists to the Historic Downtown Creative district recently to kick off Due South 2024, installing artwork celebrating Southern guitarists and genres, while also competing for cash awards and prizes. This work, displayed through April 28, will drive the creative economy to the city’s historic downtown and is free to all as one of the center’s programs.

You could hear the twang in the air as the guitars slowly lifted into place on the West Jackson Street and Ritz Amphitheater lamp posts and on the walls of The UnVacant Lot. Alongside them, the “Guitar Hero” sculpture and “Strings Attached!” planter adds to the depth of just how far a community will go when celebrating the South. The role of public art in a community adds beauty and character to rural spaces. It also has a significant impact on economic development and provides opportunities for all people to reach their unique potential. It also is vital to the success of a small downtown.

“Each spring, I am honored to work with the most creative group of artists in the region, challenging them to work outside the box and try something new, while encouraging the camaraderie and competition between them,” Darlene Crosby Taylor, the public art director at the center. “It is amazing what these individuals can do – and how they think. Year after year, they keep us motivated to do more.”

After a five-hour jury process with categories including storytelling, composition, and execution, winners were announced at a special gathering where artists and their “Guitar Hero” public art sponsors could celebrate the launch of the exhibition.

“This event allows the artists and sponsors to meet face to face and talk about the process and artwork – further developing their friendships.

“These relationships make our community special,” according to Joanne Thomas, development director at the center.

Bobby Dollar’s Appliance Consultants presented the Adult Artist Awards. In the Adult Category for Best of Show, Marlo Ransdell, and her Tom Petty guitar were selected from among 40 guitars in media ranging from paint, block print, collage, mixed media, papercut, and wood. Artists traveled from Atlanta; Jacksonville, Fla.; Birmingham, Ala., and more.

Special recognition also was bestowed upon the following adult artists:

· First Place: Kent Smith, Robert Johnson guitar

· Second Place: Sarah Malone Smith, Dolly Parton guitar

· Honorable Mention: Terry Londy, Allen Collins guitar

· An additional 4-way tie for Honorable Mention: Ned Stacey, Bill “Sauce Boss” Wharton guitar; Amanda Parparian, Elizabeth Cotton guitar; Lucrezia Bieler, Waylon Jennings guitar; Jennifer Vanderbeek, Billy Gibbons guitar.

Flowers Foods presented the Youth Artist Awards, with five schools competing: Thomasville High School, Thomasville High School Scholars Academy, Thomas County Central, Brookwood School, and Cairo High School, competing. In the Youth Category for Best of Show, Emma Broome of Brookwood School, under the direction of art teacher Trellis Payne, with the country guitar was selected from among 10 guitars with media ranging from paint, collage, mixed media and wood.

Special recognition also went to the following students:

· First Place: Evan Roberts, Kennedy Warren, Haley Rudd, Taylor Bracewell, Jaiden Guion, Thomas County Central High School, under the direction of art teacher Maria Pittman, Folk guitar;

· Second Place: Holly Davis, Emory Cochran, Janice Dong, Ella Kate Carroll, Kelon Vaughan and Harper Page, Thomasville High School Scholars Academy, under the direction of art teacher Ashley Ivey-Jackson, Bluegrass guitar;

· Honorable Mention: Katherine Jones, Brookwood School, under the direction of art teacher Trellis Payne, Cajun guitar.

Due South is just getting started. Its art, music, and food celebration will culminate on April 20 with headliner Boy Named Banjo performing at the Ritz Amphitheater. Tickets may be purchased online at https://thomasvillearts.org/duesouth/. Proceeds benefit Thomasville Center for the Arts. The price of tickets go up at the door.

To see the full range of guitars, sculptures, and exhibitions related to “Due South 2024: Strings Attached!,” visit https://thomasvillearts.org/publicart-events/.

Special PhotoSpecial Photo