Public Art

IN THE OPEN

My Side of the Story

My Side of the Story | Airing of the Quilt Flags

April 2 – May 20, 2026 | Jackson Street

In the Spring of 2026, Thomasville Center for the Arts will launch “My Side of the Story” with multiple public art activations during the Center’s Due South Music, Food, & Art Festival and continue through the 105th Rose Show and Festival.

This experience promotes Southern quilting and showcases makers and artists across the South, providing them with a platform to showcase their artistic talents. From April 2 to June 2, 2026, the community can view and experience these public art installations in Downtown Thomasville.

This column highlights the storytellers, historians, artists, and quilters involved in this public art experience.

From April 2 – May 20, alongside the narrative quilt competition, the project includes a community “Airing of the Quilts,” featuring quilt flags made from quilts created by Thomasville residents and groups. The stories behind these quilts are as powerful as the artwork itself.

This is a photo of a flyer for the pine woods hotel band. Depicted are the 4 band members sitting on a curvy tree

An Image of a pin tree that is wrapped in bright orange yarn anf has multi color yarn balls hanging from its limbs.

Artists painting vibrant crosswalk murals near the corner of Remington Avenue and Stevens Street, a collaborative public art project aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and community engagement

Thomasville Center for the Arts takes art in the open in order to empower artists and transform our community – it is installed or staged in public spaces and drives economic development. Art in the Open brings our community tribes together, elevates their talent and generates a sense of excitement in our downtown.

Art in the Open is presented in three ways: During our fall Wildlife Arts Festival – a community-driven contemporary twist on the wildlife sporting culture; during our spring DUE SOUTH – a month-long exhibition of public art tribes in the historic downtown Creative District; and during special projects – using a public art installation to appeal to an unconventional or unique audience, held in “other” spaces.

This Spring, Thomasville Center for the Arts, under the direction of Public Art Director, Darlene Crosby Taylor, in partnership with the City of Thomasville and Thomasville City Schools will provide crosswalk murals in two locations where students are in danger of being harmed due to high traffic and heavy parking obstructing views. These locations include the corner of Remington Avenue and Stevens Street – adjacent to the Ritz Amphitheater, in partnership with the City of Thomasville, and the corner of Washington Street and Glenwood Avenue – adjacent to McIntyre Park, in partnership with Thomasville City Schools and the City of Thomasville.