WILDLIFE ARTS festival 

29th Annual Wildlife Arts Festival
November 7-17, 2024

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the 29th Wildlife Arts Festival. This year’s Festival honors precious traditions of the past, recognizes the beauty of our region and the talent of those who transform it into art, and lays the foundation for the next generation of passionate patrons to move the Festival forward with purpose and care.

It’s often difficult to put into words the big feelings that rise from this pristine land. Maybe words just don’t do it justice. Instead, we need art to tell the story of the rich life that surrounds us in the Red Hills region. That’s why Thomasville Center for the Arts and a band of dedicated volunteers have brought the Wildlife Arts Festival to Thomasville for the past 29 years to support creative programming at the Center.

All of your favorite events will return, and as always, we have some fresh new experiences in store. Make plans to join us!

2024 Schedule | November 7-17

Public Art Unveiling

Thursday, November 7

Celebrate Public Art and our eco-art centric project. Free entry.

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Red Hills Rover Rally

Saturday, November 9

A guided off-road trail riding adventure through some of the Red Hill’s most iconic and historic plantation properties, with curated experiences along the way. Ticketed event.

WAF WITW Sponsors2
SouthLIfe

Whiskey In The Woods

Saturday, November 9

Open-air concert, light bites, and spirits that are sure to keep you warm. Enjoy whiskey the way nature intended, by a bonfire with friends, food by jb crumbs and a singer-songwriter round, featuring Jason Byrd & others. Ticketed event.

WAF FAS Sponsors

Fine Art Show | Preview Party

Friday, November 15

Where gala meets gallery opening, our Preview Party is an illuminating evening celebrating the mastery of sporting and wildlife artists and artisans from across the country. Mingle with friends, indulge in decadent fare by jb crumbs and peruse the works of renowned artists and artisans to add to or start your own fine art collection. An Underwriter only experience.

WAF FAS Sponsors

Fine Art Show & Artisan Market

Saturday, November 16
Sunday, November 17

Explore the mastery of sporting and wildlife artists and artisans from across the country paired with live music, workshops, family-friendly activities, Wildlife Encounters, and local flavors under the oaks at our historic art center. Free entry.

10:30 am
Jr. Wildlife Arts Festival Competition Awards Ceremony

11:00 am
Live music featuring Henry Pepin

12:00 pm
Burner Bob presentation & photo opportunity

1:00 pm
Live music featuring Henry Pepin

2:00 pm
Chehaw presents Wildlife Encounters

3:00 pm
Cranfield Colours demonstration featuring Sarah Malone Smith 

4:00 pm
Chehaw presents Wildlife Encounters

12:00 pm
Live music featuring Lee Pilcher & Josh Roach

1:00 pm
Chehaw presents Wildlife Encounters

2:00 pm
Live music featuring Lee Pilcher & Josh Roach

3:00 pm
Chehaw presents Wildlife Encounters

WAF BDB Sponsors2

Bird Dog Bash

Saturday, November 16

The ‘come together’ party of the year for artists, sponsors, and fiends with boot stomping music, bonfires, and live auction featuring ‘quick-draw’ works from festival artists. Place your bid at the art auction while enjoying live music by The ‘A’ Team Band with Dana Hayes King, and a southern feast by Southern Bleu Catering. Ticketed event.

WAF Wrkshops Sponsors2

Wildlife Art Workshop

Saturday, November 16

Our favorite artists spend a morning guiding beginner and experienced artists alike as they create their own works of art. Ticketed event.

WAF Wrkshops Sponsors2

Creative Covey Floral Workshops

Sunday, November 17

The Red Hills region touts some of the finest flora in the nation. Our talented guest floral designer will guide participants through the steps to bring natural elements into the home with a custom designed piece. Ticketed event.

 

pediatric center logo

Beguiled by the Wild | Youth Art Workshops

Saturday, November 16
Sunday, November 17

Let your children ages 5-17 imagination’s go WILD under the direction of wildlife artists Dave Junker & Karen Stauffer. Create a mini masterpiece, while learning about our local wildlife and ecosystems. Free entry.

Go Wild! | Youth Art Activities

Saturday, November 16
Sunday, November 17

Throughout the festival grounds, young visitors will also find wild and wonderful ways to engage with our furry and feathered animal friends and learn more about the unique ecosystem of our region.

WAF Land Lore Sponsors

Land + Lore Series

Saturday, November 16
Sunday, November 17

Listen and learn as conservationists & storytellers educate on the importance of local ecosystems management and share their experience in conserving our beautiful land. Watch and enjoy feature films and be part of conversations & lectures that celebrate the Red Hills Region. Free entry.

Films on reel throughout the day, 10 am – 5 pm:

  • DOGMEN, presented by onX and featuring Durrell Smith
  • Okefenokee Destiny, Georgia River Network
  • A Walk in the Woods with Burner Bob & Friends, Longleaf Alliance

1:00 pm
Land is Life: Perspective on the Vitality of the Connection to Land & Water, featuring Christopher Watt

3:00 pm
Longleaf Alliance presents the Southeastern Premiere of Longleaf Forever with conversation panel

4:00 pm
The Sporting Art of C.D. Clarke, book signing

A Look Back at Last Year

Brennan Seward is an artist from post-independence Zimbabwe. His work is inspired by natural history and the great naturalist illustrators of a bygone era (15th-19th century). Brennan borrows inspiration from Japanese woodcuts and Chinese inks, as well as from master illustrators like Durer, Audubon and Kuhnert. The impressive size of Brennan’s pen and ink and his watercolors create a unique visual experience that is at once intimate and expansive.

Browse last year’s Field Guide to get an insider look at what to expect at the Annual Wildlife Arts Festival. The Field Guide walks guests through dozens of events and introduces over 65 fine artists and artisans. 

There’s still time to elevate your festival experience while supporting the preservation of fine art and the distinct sporting culture of the Red Hills region and Thomasville Center for the Arts!

BECOME AN UNDERWRITER

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Nov. 11 | Festival Opening Reception 
Nov. 13 | Red Hills Rover Rally
Nov. 13 | Whiskey in the Woods
Nov. 18 | Out of the Woods
Nov. 19 | Fine Art Show Underwriter Preview Party
Nov. 20 | Women of Wildlife Art Workshop
Nov. 20 | Creative Covey Floral Workshop 
Nov. 20 | Bird Dog Bash
Nov. 20 & 21 | Fine Art Show + Sale
Nov. 20 & 21 | Beguiled by the Wild Youth Art Workshop 
Nov. 20 & 21 | Land & Lore Lectures

ACCOMODATIONS

Courtyard by Marriott
207 S Dawson St.
Thomasville, GA 31792
(229) 264-4300

Hampton Inn
1950 GA-122
Thomasville, GA 31757
(229) 227-0040

South Eden Plantation (Dog Friendly)
301 Show Boat Lane
Thomasville, GA 31792
(229) 233-8285

Holiday Inn Express & Suites
452 Liberty St.
Thomasville, GA 31757
(229) 226-4666

VRBO
Thomasville, GA

Thank you for your interest in exhibiting. The application period for 2021 Wildlife Arts Festival is closed. Please apply for the 2022 Wildlife Arts Festival HERE by April 1, 2022.