Nearly two dozen local artists will be featured at ARToberfest 2018, this Saturday, October 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at the Turner Center for the Arts and the surrounding campus on N. Patterson and Webster Streets and will kick off National Arts & Humanities Month in the community.
Spanning three facilities, two large parking lots and a multi-use green space, the Turner Center will bring back the ARToberfest tradition that was celebrated nearly 20 years ago—when the Lowndes/Valdosta Arts Commission was located in the N. Patterson Street building that currently houses the Valdosta State University Bursary.
The main purpose of the festival is to celebrate the talent of local and regional artists and their contribution to our culture and community. Fine art will be displayed and sold on site under the cool tree canopy along the north perimeter of the center’s property. The event also features two artist demonstrations:  Angela Crance will demonstrate an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint project from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and Ethan Abbott will demonstrate a live portrait painting from noon to 2 p.m.
In addition, the center’s three facilities will host various activities beginning with the Ribbon Cutting & Open House of the Annex, at 601 N. Patterson Street, at 10 a.m. The Chamber of Commerce will recognize the renovations and building improvements to the first floor of the former Valdosta Optical building, which now provides additional classrooms and services for the Turner Center’s youth art program.
From 10 a.m. to noon, a youth pottery class will take place at the Hudson Potter Studio for those who register by Friday, Oct. 5. The main building at 527 N. Patterson Street will feature the 50-year collection of Ron Zaccari, whose work is also for sale on site.
At the concession stand, festival attendees may purchase a Sunset Farm Foods sausage dog, chips and a drink for $5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this time, attendees may eat and be entertained by the instructors and students of the Hal & Jill Project, a guitar instructional program of the center.
“We are particularly excited to host this event on October 6, as it also marks the two-year anniversary of the Valdosta City Council’s Resolution that created the City Center Arts District (CCAD) and acknowledges the district as an incubator for art business, art creation and economic development in the art industry,” said Executive Director Sementha Mathews. “October is also National Arts and Humanities Month, and the Turner Center plans to make this an annual event that brings the community together each October to celebrate the important role that the arts play in our culture and community.
Attendees may visit the Information Booth at Saturday’s event for a list of upcoming art classes and events, as well as a festival schedule of events. For more information, contact the Turner Center at 229-247-2787, visit www.turnercenter.org or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
