At Arts in the Heart, the organization sees its role as supporting Richmond County and the Greater Augusta Arts Council while celebrating the many cultures that make up the community. For the Hindu Temple Society, the festival is an opportunity to bring people from different backgrounds together through culture and the arts.

One of the most interactive ways visitors can experience that culture is at the Henna Tent.

Henna is a natural and temporary form of body decoration that has been practiced in India and many other cultures for centuries. Visitors can choose from traditional and contemporary designs, which can be applied to areas such as the hands, arms, feet, and shoulders. While creating each design, the artists also share the history and cultural significance of henna, which is often associated with weddings, festivals, and other special celebrations.

But the Henna Tent is about more than creating a beautiful design. For the Hindu Temple Society, it is a chance to share a tradition that has been passed down through generations. Henna represents celebration, joy, beauty, and good fortune, particularly during weddings, festivals, and other special occasions. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the art itself, as well as the stories, traditions, and cultural meaning behind it.

That makes the tent a natural place for connection. Families can enjoy the experience together, visitors can ask questions, and conversations can begin around something as simple as a henna design. The Hindu Temple Society hopes visitors leave with more than temporary body art. They hope they leave with a greater appreciation for India’s cultural heritage and a connection to the people sharing it.

Making that experience happen takes a lot of people behind the scenes. More than 90 volunteers come together to help with the Henna Tent, taking on everything from decorating and setting up the tent to greeting visitors, managing lines, assisting guests, and creating henna designs. Many volunteers return year after year, bringing their time, talents, and enthusiasm with them.

And preparation begins well before festival weekend. The Hindu Temple Society starts planning two to three months in advance, organizing its leadership team, reviewing past experiences, gathering supplies, coordinating with artists, recruiting volunteers, and creating schedules for all three days. The team also makes volunteer well being a priority by making sure volunteers have opportunities to rest, stay hydrated, and enjoy meals during their shifts.

This year will bring some new energy to the Henna Tent, with a change in overall leadership and a renewed focus on interaction and engagement. The new leadership team is bringing young energy and new ideas while continuing to honor the traditions that have made the tent a longtime part of the festival.

After more than three decades at Arts in the Heart, the festival has become an important tradition for the Hindu Temple Society. It is a place where volunteers come together, culture is shared, and the organization can connect with the greater Augusta community.

For the Hindu Temple Society, Arts in the Heart represents connection, cultural exchange, teamwork, and the joy of serving together. And for festival visitors, the Henna Tent offers an invitation to experience that spirit for themselves.

Whether you are already familiar with henna or have never tried it before, the Hindu Temple Society welcomes visitors to stop by, enjoy the experience, learn something new, and take part in a celebration of art, diversity, and community.