Hailey Rathmann

Some of the Annette Howell Turner Center’s longstanding programs are literary arts offerings. Dr. Cheryl Carvajal leads the free writers leagues for youth and adults at the Turner Center weekly and assists with coordinating the Turner Center’s annual “Art of Writing” contest. She describes how writing has shaped her life and how writing can inspire others.

Kreea Chakraborty has participated and placed in three of the Turner Center’s Annual “Art of Writing” Contests. Each contest awards $2,500 in cash prizes and the opportunity to be published to regional middle and high school students for works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Chakraborty is a testimony for how the Turner Center’s literary programming has progressed her writing as both an art and a skill.

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts hosted the 2024 Literary Fair on Sat., Sept. 14, from 10am to 2pm at the Turner Center Galleries located at 527 N. Patterson St. The event, which was sponsored by Snake Nation Press, Share the Magic Foundation, and Hughston Clinic, hosted more than 20 authors. These authors gave informative talks, as well as signing and selling their works. South Georgia Regional Library featured their short story cube at the event, free books by Malcom Mitchell were provided to area youth and families, and the Turner Center formally announced the 5^th Annual “Art of Writing” contest for area youth. The next Literary Fair will be hosted by the Turner Center on Sat., Sept. 13, 2025.

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts will host the 2024 Turner Center Literary Fair on Sat., Sept. 14, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Turner Center Galleries, located at 527 N. Patterson Street, in Valdosta. The Literary Fair will spotlight free ongoing literary art offerings available at the Turner Center, as well as the work of local and regional authors.

Turner Center for the Arts Ceramics Instructor Ramiro Santillan teaches five beginner-friendly Weekday Pottery Classes each week, including Mondays 10am-Noon and 6-8pm, Tuesdays 6-8pm, and Wednesday 10am-Noon and 6-8pm. In addition to his work at the Turner Center, Santillan was also a ceramics instructor for the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program in 2024.  He expressed how art classes offer students at all levels, including beginners, a needed space to create things and cultivate community.

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts will host the 2024 Turner Center Literary Fair on Saturday, September 14, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Turner Center Galleries, located at 527 N. Patterson Street, in Valdosta. The Literary Fair will launch the Turner Center’s 5th Annual Art of Writing Contest for area youth, and the event will also highlight the Turner Center’s Young Writers League, Writers League, and other literary resources available at the Center.

The call to authors will take place through September 1. The Literary Fair will highlight local and regional writers and authors who may display, read, and sell their works. All authors will be given a vendor table with two chairs and the opportunity to also teach a workshop highlighting an aspect of the writer’s craft.

Share the Magic Foundation will provide a special reading by Malcolm Mitchell and a free copy of Malcolm’s book, “The Magician’s Hat,” to the first 150 youth at the event. Snake Nation Press and South Georgia Regional Library will also have offerings at the Literary Fair that encourage prospective and published authors of all ages.

Sponsors are still needed for this event. To apply as a vendor or a sponsor or to learn about the event details, visit turnercenter.org or contact Art Education Administrator Hailey Rathmann at hrathmann@turnercenter.org or 229-247-2787.

Beth Cundiff has rediscovered her love for art through painting classes at the Turner Center for the Arts.

Two beginner-friendly painting classes – Paints & Pastries and Paint & Sip – meet each month in the Art Annex on the Turner Center campus. Regular art education instructors include Nancy Crombie, Annette Crosby, and Hunter Pope. The next Paints & Pastries is on Mon., Aug. 12, 2024, 6-8pm. Paint & Sip will resume in September 2024.

Turner Center for the Arts Active Arts Instructor Melissa Pihos teaches a free, weekly IMPROVment® class on Mondays, 5-6pm, at the Turner Center Galleries. She described the many physical and mental benefits of dance to be gained through IMPROVment® classes.

Pihos’ class incorporates a dynamic range of dance-based exercises designed to spark creativity, while also benefiting brain and body health. The beginner-friendly class begins with seated warm-ups, and gradually transitions to standing movements behind the chair and into the open space for further improvisation, then back to the chair for a cool-down.

41 youth received a four-day experience in art education through three youth summer art camps offered by the Turner Center for the Arts. Students enjoyed participating in drawing, painting, mixed media, collage, culinary arts, and ceramics projects.

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts honored Debra Kantelis with the 2024 Art Educator of the Year award at the Gallery Exhibit Opening Reception on June 10.