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’ 28th Annual Wildlife Arts Festival. Take a peak inside the 2023 festival! The Field Guide walks guests through dozens of events and introduces over 65 fine artists and artisans.
2023 Schedule
November 9-19
Public Art Unveiling
Thursday, November 9
6:00 – 7:30 pm | Free Entry
The UnVacant Lot, West Jackson Street
Wildlife Arts Festival’s Public Art Unveiling in Downtown Thomasville’s Creative District is “Taking Root” with a semi-permanent tree sculpture dedicated in honor of Leigh Perkins and Samuel Kellett.
Presented in partnership with The City of Thomasville, Florida State University, Hurst Boiler, 1915 South | Ashley, and Flowers Foods, and funded by a grant from Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Municipal Association.
Red Hills Rover Rally
Saturday, November 11
10:00 am
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. Casual attire.
Presented by Capital Eurocars. Â
Whiskey In The Woods
Saturday, November 11
6:00 pm
Birdsong Nature Center
Take in the beautiful surroundings of Birdsong Nature Center at this open-air concert, featuring Jason Byrd with southern comfort foods served up by Jb Crumbs Catering paired with cigars and spirits that are sure to keep you warm. Casual attire (boots encouraged!).
Presented by Proctor Subaru, Southlife Supply Co., and Southwest Georgia Farm Credit.
Fine Art Show |
Black & White Underwriters Preview Party
Friday, November 17
7:00 – 10:00 pm | Exclusive to Underwriters
Thomasville Center for the Arts
Dress to impress in your finest black and white attire at this come together event of the year – mingle with friends, indulge in decadent fare on every floor by Jb Crumbs Catering and peruse the works of renowned artists & artisans to add to or start your own fine art collection at Thomasville’s historic art center. Black Tie (black and white attire encouraged).
Presented by Synovus.
Fine Art Show & Artisan Market
Saturday, November 18 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Free
Sunday, November 19 | 12:00 – 5:00 pm | Free
Thomasville Center for the Arts
Step into a lively social scene of top-shelf shopping, tasting and family-friendly fun from the finest lifestyle experts, artisans, ecologists, biologists and designers sprinkled with fashionable flourishes and wildlife encounters.Â
Presented by Synovus.
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 SmithÂ
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
Bird Dog Bash
Saturday, November 18
7:30 pm
Sugar Hill Barn, Pebble Hill Plantation
Place your bid and prepare to dance the night away at the grand finale party of the year anchored with a lively quick-draw art auction, bonfires, live music and a hearty supper by Southern Bleu Catering. Casual attire (boots encouraged!).Â
Presented by Wellington Shields.
Women of Wildlife Art Workshop
Saturday, November 18
10:00 am
Thomasville Center for the Arts
Bring a friend and learn the art of leatherwork by creating your very own Southlife Supply Company clutch guided by Heather & Kelly Abbott, complete with refreshments, tools and takeaways!  Â
Presented by 1915 South | ASHLEY.
Creative Covey Floral Workshops
Saturday, November 18Â |Â 1:00 pm
Sunday, November 19Â |Â 3:00 pm
Thomasville Center for the Arts
On Saturday, enjoy arranging a centerpiece of premium blooms and foraged finds
with Lydia Menzie. On Sunday, learn Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging
with Christy Hulsey. Both workshops include refreshments, tools and takeaways! Â
Presented by 1915 South | ASHLEY.
Beguiled by the Wild | Youth Art Workshops
Saturday, November 18
11:00 am & 1:00 pm | KIDS Ages 5-12
3:00 pm | TEENS Ages 13-17
Sunday, November 19
12:00 & 2:00 pm | KIDS Ages 5-12
4:00 pm | TEENS Ages 13-17
Thomasville Center for the Arts
Young artists, ages 5-17, are invited to create their own masterpieces under the direction of guest artists, Karen Stauffer & Dave Junker, while learning about our local wildlife and ecosystems.  Free entry, registration required.Â
Presented by The Pediatric Center.
Go Wild! | Youth Art Activities
Saturday, November 18 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Free
Sunday, November 19 | 12:00 – 5:00 pm | Free
Thomasville Center for the Arts
Enjoy the Jr. Wildlife Art Competition exhibit, presented by Toscoga, and an interactive floor of wildlife centric arts, storytelling & activities designed to inspire your young creator during Fine Art Show & Sale.Â
Presented by Imagination Emporium.
Land + Lore Series
Saturday, November 18
Sunday, November 19
Thomasville Center for the Arts | Free
A conservation education series, presented by The Wright Group.
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
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 ReceptionÂ
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 WorkshopÂ
Nov. 20 | Bird Dog Bash
Nov. 20 & 21 | Fine Art Show + Sale
Nov. 20 & 21 | Beguiled by the Wild Youth Art WorkshopÂ
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.Â