In The Open
Banner | Ron Thomson | River Otter
1915 South | Russell Turner Collection
For this year’s Wildlife Arts Festival, Thomasville Center for the Arts was given access to the private wildlife collection of 1915 South founder, Russell Turner.
We carefully selected 20 individual elements—a bird, a raccoon, or a gesture- and reimagined them as bold, circular public art along the West Jackson Street corridor. Together, they create unexpected wildlife encounters that inspire the Festival while celebrating the connection between art, wildlife, generosity, and place.
See more wildlife art at the 31st Wildlife Arts Festival on November 20–22, 2026 at 600 E. Washington Street.
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.