Intern Insights with Faith
As a newer Augusta resident, the Arts in the Heart festival has always been an event I’ve looked forward to each year. Having volunteered the year prior, I was introduced to the community support each year brings: people spending their time and energy to help the festival come to life. This year, as an intern, I was happy to see this energy pushed to its fullest extent. Although I was a bit nervous approaching the festival (along with my collaboration with Cat on an orientation video), everything carried out as well as I had hoped for—save for a brief negative encounter with the rain.
Come festival weekend I had already briefed myself with the fairgrounds online but hadn’t actually visited until the festival. The area had been mostly set up the night prior with vendor tents up, along with the majority of the artist stages. Arriving at the fairgrounds, one of the first things that stood out to me was the history that was on display there—the building that hosted the family area had two long halls with glass casings scattered throughout the walkway. Many had elaborate miniatures of buildings from downtown Augusta no longer standing (two notable being pre-mall of Augusta Broad Street and the recently demolished James Brown Arena). The fairgrounds itself was a good venue, contained enough to feel put-together while also providing some much-needed shade and rain protection.
Throughout the festival weekend, I was lucky to have met a good number of familiar faces. The AU art department hosted its own table along with the chalk art competition, occasionally manned by some of my university peers. In the (positive!) Hectic nature of it all, I was happy to be working with a group of kind people throughout the festival. Stationed at the volunteer tent, I spent my weekend working with Cat to help sign-in and direct each volunteer.
Working together with her and the rotating door of volunteers at our tent, my time spent was an enjoyable learning experience.
In the weeks I’ve spent looking back on my time working the festival, I’ve grown to appreciate the opportunity more. Working from the inside of the festival has given me a greater appreciation of everything the council has been able to accomplish, holding a full-scale event each year off the hard work of a small team along with the kindness of the greater Augusta community. I’m grateful to have had the chance to work with the Arts Council this semester and look forward to visiting AITH again next year.