Skip to main content
All Posts By

Sementha Mathews

Turner Center for the Arts Presents Music in the Art Park, Summer Concert Series

By Blog, News, Upcoming Events

The Turner Center for the Arts will launch the first concert of its Music in the Park Summer Concert Series, on Saturday, June 27, from 7-9 p.m., in the Art Park located at 605 N. Patterson Street.

Sponsored by Happy Tailz Grooming Salon, the live concert features the Blues Factor Trio performing a mix of funk, soul and dance party music.

Community members are invited to bring their blankets or chairs and picnic, or choose carry out from several downtown restaurants, to this free community concert, and relax in the park while safely distancing and enjoying the music.

The Music in the Park concerts will continue on Friday, July 10, from 7-9 p.m., featuring a tribute to the late Jim Sineath and the Hot Grease Band. Several original members from this local band will reunite to perform some original music as well as the all-time favorites. This event is sponsored by Mackey Lumber. On Friday, August 14—same time, same place—the Dabbit Trio will perform for the community. This event is sponsored by IPG Incorporated.

For more information about attending the concert series or sponsoring one of the future concert events, contact the Turner Center at 229-247-2787, visit www.turnercenter.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Center for the Arts Guild Elects FY21 Officers

By Blog, News

The Center for the Arts (CAG) Guild welcomed four new board members and elected officers for the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year, which begins July 1, 2020. CAG is intensely involved in supporting the interest in and rendering services to the advancement of the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts as the region’s art center hub.

At their May 5 meeting, the following individuals were elected as board officers for the new fiscal year: Jane Burgsteiner, president; Helen Tucker, past-president; Rosemary Brannen, recording secretary; Linda Grondahl, corresponding secretary; and Margaret Mittiga, treasurer.

The board also unanimously voted four new members to the board: Rena Barclay, Peggy Chitty, Jeneane Grimsley, and Krekoria Ward.

The CAG is currently accepting new members. Membership dues are $25 annually, and lifetime memberships are $500. All members participate in supporting the Center with art activities, gallery opening receptions, and fundraisers—such as the Food & Wine Classic—throughout the year.

On Oct. 5-7, 2020, the CAG will host a Gogh Green fundraiser at the Turner Center. The event will sell recycled art to help raise funds for Center programs. Individuals interested in donating their art works for the cause may email Jane Burgsteiner at jane01@bellsouth.net.

For more information about CAG, Gogh Green or to become a member, call the Center at 229-247-2787 or visit www.turnercenter.org.

PAAC Hosts May 21 Meeting via Facebook

By Blog

The Valdosta Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. will be streamed on the PAAC Facebook page for community engagement.

The purpose of PAAC is to further the purchase, creation and appreciation of public art for its aesthetic value to the community. The PAAC also encourages the preservation and protection of works of public art which play a vital role in the economic development of the community.

PAAC meets on the third Thursday of each month, and meetings are open to the public. For more information about the PAAC, call 229-247-2787.

Turner Center Artist-In-Residence Program Inspires Creativity

By Blog

A new program at the Turner Center for the Arts is giving regional artists the opportunity to explore their creativity outside their typical environments through an Artist-in-Residence program.

The residency is typically a six-month commitment, takes place in a Turner Center studio provided rent free, and results in at least one original art work for the Center. The artist-in-residence is only responsible for utility costs and other maintenance of the studio for the duration of the commitment. Read More

Spring Into Art – Change of Plans

By Blog

Because we care. 

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts has implemented changes to its Spring Into Art Exhibition on account of the COVID-19, by canceling its Spring Into Art Gala which draws more than 800 visitors in one evening and by adding safety precautions to the free public exhibition that draws in thousands over the six-week period. Read More

April 16 PAAC Meeting Canceled

By Blog

The Valdosta Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2020, has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 21, at 11:30 a.m., in the second-floor board room of the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, located at 527 N. Patterson Street.

The purpose of PAAC is to further the purchase, creation and appreciation of public art for its aesthetic value to the community. The PAAC also encourages the preservation and protection of works of public art which play a vital role in the economic development of the community.

For more information about the PAAC, call 229-247-2787.

Valdosta Photographer Documents Frontline Heroes

By Blog, News

Brittanie Metzler

CNA/MA Valdosta Family Medicine

Brittni Harvey

LPN, SGMC

Amidst the tragedy and fear that has surfaced due to COVID-19, one local photographer is documenting the unsung heroes who have also surfaced as beacons of light behind the masks.

Javon Longieliere, photographer/owner of Javon Longieliere Photography and photography instructor at the Turner Center for the Arts, is capturing life in the moment.

“My goal with this project is to spotlight the members of our community who are sacrificing tirelessly to keep our own part of the world healthy, fed and running properly,” said Longieliere. “I am creating simple portraits of our frontline neighbors so that I can showcase the fighting and selfless spirit that they demonstrate to the rest of our community.”

Longieliere said these are not glamour shots; these are real portraits of local people in a worldwide crisis. They are our neighbors, our family doctors and nurses, our local government leaders, our grocery store workers, law enforcement personnel, sanitation workers, etc., all rising from their everyday duties into the battlefield.

As Longieliere utilizes his professional skills to document this time of our community’s history, each of his subjects receive a digital copy of his or her images as a token of his personal appreciation for their services.

For more information, visit www.longieliere.com.

Turner Center Reschedules Spring Into Art

By Blog

The Turner Center for the Arts has rescheduled the opening of the 33rd Annual Spring into the Art Exhibition to Monday, May 11, allowing artists an additional four weeks to create outstanding works of art that the community has come to expect at this event.

“We have adjusted our schedules—as everyone is having to do—on account of the coronavirus pandemic and in consideration for the health and safety of others,” said Executive Director Sementha Mathews. “In the weeks ahead, we will continue to monitor conditions and will make additional adjustments as necessary.”

Spring Into Art, the Turner Center’s largest exhibition and fundraiser of the year, traditionally features more than 200 regional artists and showcases more than 400 original works of art. The entries will be accepted and displayed within the Turner Center’s elegant gallery space at 527 N. Patterson Street. All artwork will be available for purchase and are eligible to win award prizes totaling $6,000.

The artist entry deadline is Thursday, April 16, and the entry fee is $40 for one piece or $60 for two. Delivery of the art work is scheduled for April 23-25 and 27-28.

“We have received a flood of calls and emails from artists concerned about the original scheduling of Spring Into Art. The outreach has shown us that the artists, for whom the exhibit was created to support, have strong desires to continue this annual tradition,” said Curator Bill Shenton. “We are so grateful for the artists’ continued support and participation in Spring Into Art, and we look forward to celebrating the art in life with our community on May 11.”

The Center is also currently welcoming sponsors for the 33rd annual event. All Spring Into Art sponsors are listed in the exhibit program, on the walls of the Turner Center galleries, on the Center’s website, and in other printed and online materials to show appreciation for their commitment to the arts.

Additional information about artist deadlines, sponsorship opportunities and revised Spring Into Art schedule may be found at here.