WALK on the WILD SIDE | Flora and Fauna

August 3, 2020 — Thomasville Center for the Arts, in partnership with SYNOVUS will expand the reach for the Wildlife Arts Festival in celebration of the 25^th year.  Walk on the Wild Side will transform downtown Thomasville in the name of wildlife, and sponsors and artists from all over the region are getting ready for what could be the biggest downtown art installation in South Georgia.   

Ashley HomeStore, LOWES, and Hurst Boiler, public art sponsors, are set to unveil a multi-faceted public art installation like never before.  With a record forty-one artists, each installation focuses on educating our community and visitors on the flora and fauna in our region. 

In support of Tall Timbers prescribed fire mission, Thomasville Center for the Arts showcases twenty-five painted pole wraps, along Broad and W Jackson Streets through November 23^rd. These wraps each represent a variety of fire-adaptive flora of the Red Hills.  Twenty-five murals, created by four individuals, and a team of two, will showcase in groups of five, a flora and fauna themed topic that delves deep into a favorite side of every sportsman.  These 12’ x 12’ works of art will remain on buildings through November 30^th.

Wildlife friends will be found along the art walk, honoring those pioneers and supporters of wildlife arts festival with bronzes created by festival sculptors, donated by the Center and installed by the City of Thomasville for our community to enjoy. Thomasville Garden Clubs and floral enthusiasts will transform the one hundred block of Broad St with their fabulous creations. Last, but not least, walk down to The UnVacant Lot for the unforgettable landscape mural by Joe Cowdrey, the tree ring liquid pour installation in collaboration with Vashti Center, or the fiber art immersion created by the students of You’re Maker up through February 15^th. 

“We are taking flora and fauna, and elevating it through the arts”, says Darlene Crosby Taylor, Public Art Director at Thomasville Center for the Arts. “The Center is serious about educating our community on just how special this region really is, and our sponsors are just as serious as we are.”

This year, mural artists, and painters alike are set to compete for award money in their categories.  Mural artists’ will be in a juried competition for $1,000 cash, one painter will be awarded $250 for Best of Show pole wrap, as well as first place awards given by the City of Thomasville, and Honorable Mention award given by Tall Timbers.  “I am thrilled to compete in this challenging art event,” says painter Jill Bright from Valdosta. “I have a love of animals and nature – this is right up my alley”.