Wildlife Arts Festival
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WILDLIFE ARTS festival
28th Annual Wildlife Arts Festival
November 9-19, 2023
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the 28th 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 28 years to support creative programming at the Center.
This year, we’re honored to present Brennan Seward as our featured artist. A familiar Festival face, Seward first exhibited with us in 2004. He’ll join 70+ artists and artisans who inspire us to celebrate the sporting life through art. All of your favorite events will return, and as always, we have some fresh new experience in store. Join us!
2023 Featured Artist
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.
You can almost hear the Bobwhite quail whistle in anticipation of Thomasville Center for the Arts’ 27th Annual Wildlife Arts Festival. Take a peak inside the 2022 festival! The Field Guide walks guests through dozens of events and introduces over 50 fine artists and artisans.
2023 Schedule
November 9-19
Public Art Unveiling
Thursday, November 9
Due to Hurricane Nicole, we are moving the celebration indoors to our partners at Empire Bagel who will be serving up some tasty bites within a few steps of the installation!
Celebrate the festival opening with the unveiling of two public art installations that honor our local wildlife and wild waters: Joe Cowdrey’s newest permanent mural, Morning at the Fresh Spring, and LAND · WATER · SKY.
Presented by Hurst Boiler, 1915 South | ASHLEY, Big Adventure Outfitters, and THOM.
Red Hills Rover Rally
Saturday, November 11
Take the road less traveled during this guided off-road trail riding adventure through some of the most iconic and historic private properties in the Red Hills region with curated stops along the way.
Presented by Capital Eurocars.
Whiskey In The Woods
Saturday, November 11
Take in the beautiful surroundings at this open-air concert, featuring Jason Byrd with southern comfort foods by j.b. crumbs, paired with cigars and spirits sure to keep you warm. Ages 21+ only. Advance purchase only, no tickets sold at the door.
Presented by Proctor Subaru, Southlife Supply Co. and Southwest Georgia Farm Credit.
Fine Art Show Preview Party
Friday, November 17
Thomasville Center for the Arts
Dress to impress at this come together event of the year at Thomasville’s historic art center. Mingle with friends, indulge in decadent fare by j.b. crumbs and peruse the works of renowned artists and artisans to add to or start your own wildlife art collection.
Presented by Synovus.
Fine Art Show & Artisan Market
Saturday, November 18 | Free
Sunday, November 19 | Free
Thomasville Center for the Arts
Experience acclaimed wildlife art in the halls of the Center’s historic building. Step outside into a lively social scene of top-shelf shopping, southern bites and libations, and family-friendly wildlife encounters in the Artisan Market.
Presented by Synovus.
10:00 am
Festival Opens for the Day
Youth Floor & Youth Activities Begin
Jr. Wildlife Arts Festival Competition Awards Ceremony
Women of Wildlife Art Workshop
11:00 am
Beguiled By The Wild | Youth Workshop
Tallahassee Jr. Museum Roaming Wildlife & Biofacts (Until 3 pm)
12:00 pm
Storytime with Imagination Emporium
Land & Lore Lecture
Chehaw Wildlife Encounters
1:00 pm
Beguiled By The Wild | Youth Workshop
Creative Covey Floral Workshop
2:00 pm
Chehaw Wildlife Encounters
Land & Lore Lecture
4:00 pm
Land & Lore Lecture
Meet Burner Bob!
Southeastern Premiere of “Indigo”
5:00 pm
Festival Closes for the Day
12:00 pm
Festival Opens for the Day
Youth Floor & Youth Activities Begin
Beguiled By The Wild Youth Workshop
Land & Lore Lecture
2:00 pm
Land & Lore Lecture
Beguiled By The Wild Youth Workshop
3:00 pm
Creative Covey Floral Workshop
4:00 pm
Land & Lore Lecture
5:00 pm
Festival Closes
Women of Wildlife Visual Art Workshop
Saturday, November 18
Thomasville Center for the Arts
Grab a friend and come ready to adorn your favorite hat with feathers and flourishes! Create a one-of-a-kind hatband with wildlife artisan Suzette Bussey at this 90-minute workshop complete with refreshments, tools and swag. Advance purchase only, no tickets sold at the door.
Presented by ASHLEY.
Creative Covey Floral Workshops
Saturday, November 18
Sunday, November 19
Thomasville Center for the Arts
Florist Farmer Amanda Rodgers will guide you through the creation of a professionally designed arrangement or wreath to bring natural elements into your home. Advance purchase only, no tickets sold at the door.
Presented by ASHLEY.
Beguiled by the Wild | Youth Art Workshops
Saturday, November 18
Sunday, November 19
Thomasville Center for the Arts
Young artists ages 5-12 are invited to learn about our local wildlife and ecosystems while creating a mini-masterpiece under the direction of artist Karen Stauffer. Advance registration only, no walk-ups.
Presented by The Pediatric Center.
Go Wild! | Youth Art Activities
Saturday, November 18
Sunday, November 19
Thomasville Center for the Arts | Free
Bring your children to explore an interactive floor of wildlife-centric art activities
designed to inspire your young creator while you shop the fine art show. Featuring
the Jr. Wildlife Art Competition Exhibit and art by Dave Junker and Betsey Fowler.
Presented by Imagination Emporium.
Land + Lore Lectures
Saturday, November 18
Sunday, November 19
Thomasville Center for the Arts | Free
Storytellers & experts from Tall Timbers Research Center, Aucilla River Research Center, Quail Forever, The National Wild Turkey Federation, Georgia River Network & Georgia Department of Natural Resources share expertise about conserving our regional ecosystems. Special guest Durrell Smith of The Sporting Life Notebook will podcast live!
Presented by The Wright Group.
12 pm | Quail Forever
2 pm | Aucilla River Research Center
4 pm | Longleaf Alliance / Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources | “Indigo” Southeastern Film Premier
12 pm | Georgia River Network | “Okefenokee Destiny” Film Screening
2 pm | Tall Timbers Research Center
4 pm | National Wild Turkey Federation
Bird Dog Bash
Saturday, November 18
Throw on your hat for a boot-stomping night at the festival’s wrap-up party. You won’t want to miss the lively quick-draw art auction, bonfires with friends, live music and hearty supper by Southern Bleu Catering. Ages 21+ only.Advance purchase only, no tickets sold at the door.
Presented by Wellington Shields.
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!
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.