Sementha Mathews

“Are you a musician, or are you in the music business? Because there is a difference.” This quote, attributed to the American rock band Kiss, resembles the direction that a newly formed networking group has taken in serving South Georgia’s entertainment industry. Read More

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts is now in the running to bring a free outdoor music series to Valdosta starting in 2023, and it needs the community’s help.

Supported by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a social impact funder at the intersection of music and public spaces, the Turner Center hopes to qualify as one of the top 20 finalists in the public voting phase of the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards. The public is urged to support the Turner Center by participating in the public voting process, via online or text, taking place from Sept. 12–21, 2022. The public may either cast their votes online at www.levitt.org/vote or via text to 866-AMP-2023 (866-267-2023) with the keyword: VALDOSTA. Read More

Local musicians who desire to be part of a supportive community with other like-minded musicians are invited to join the newly formed South Georgia Entertainers.

The Turner Center for the Arts will host musicians of all genres on the second Tuesday of each month, beginning on August 9, 2022, from 6-8 p.m. Led by local musicians Lloyd Carter and Aaron Strickland, the group encourages the gathering of local and regional entertainers to discuss personal and professional concerns relating to the entertainment industry. Read More

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts is seeking an Art Education Administrator to join its team of creative professionals. Read More

Cruising for the Arts

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts is raffling a Diamond Princess Cruise to beautiful Cabo San Lucas in celebration of the Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission’s (LVAC) diamond anniversary. One lucky person will win a 7-day, midship balcony cruise for two or may apply the $3,000 award value to a Princess Cruise of his or her choice. Read More

Elke Schultz has joined the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts as its Events and Member Relations Administrator, effective May 2, 2022.

In her new role, Schultz will orchestrate Center events such as Music in the Art Park and other concerts, ARToberfest and other community events, Venue Rentals, and other special events. Under the direction of the Executive Director, Schultz will be responsible for engaging and communicating with the Center’s growing membership base, and working with other staff members to build positive and lasting relationships that grow the Center’s mission. Read More

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts announced Bill Sineath as the inaugural recipient of the Lena Bosch Lifetime Achievement Award at the 35th Spring Into Art Gala, on Monday, April 14.

Bruce Smith, president of the Lowndes-Valdosta Arts Commission (LVAC) and Sementha Mathews, executive director of the Turner Center, presented the prestigious award to Sineath, in the memory of Lena Bosch, an individual who exhibited outstanding, creative, innovative, and visionary leadership in the advancement of the arts in our community. LVAC created the award to annually honor people who embody Lena’s passion and spirit for the arts through the Turner Center. Read More

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts presents the Lloyd Carter Band on Friday, April 22, from 7-9 p.m., in the Turner Center Art Park, located at 605 N. Patterson Street. The concert, sponsored by Bush Wealth Management, is rescheduled from March and is the second concert in April as part of the Music in the Art Park series.

The concert is free to the public, and community members are invited to bring their blankets or lawn chairs to this family-friendly and pet-friendly event, and relax in the park enjoying some great music. King of R&B is the on-site vendor for this event.

Heavily influenced by artists like Keith Whitley, Steve Perry, Kenny Rogers and Conway Twitty, Carter has a sound that crosses over various genres of music. More about Carter’s music, bio, and merchandise can be viewed at www.lloydcartermusic.com.

“The main purpose for creating the Music in the Art Park Concert Series three years ago continues to be to highlight the great musical talent in our local area,” said Executive Director Sementha Mathews. “We have a great lineup of bands for our patrons to enjoy this year, and thanks to our local business sponsors, the concerts are free.”

The Music in the Art Park concerts take place on the second Friday of every month, March through November, from 7-9 p.m. Local businesses interested in sponsoring a concert or those wanting more information should call the Turner Center at ­229.247.2787 or visit turnercenter.org. As always, patrons who need special assistance may contact the Center to make arrangements.

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts will present the Lloyd Carter Band on March 11, 2022, from 7-9 p.m., in the Turner Center Art Park, located at 605 N. Patterson Street. The concert, sponsored by Bush Wealth Management, will kick off the Center’s 3rd annual Music in the Art Park concert series. Read More

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts presents a free live performance of the Harriet Tubman & the Underground Railroad musical on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. The touring cast of the renowned Virginia Repertory Theatre will perform this stirring drama at the Valdosta Performing Arts Center, located at 3101 Barack Obama Blvd., in Valdosta. Read More