January came in hollering, not knocking. No warm-up. No easing in. Just straight up, “I’m here, deal with it.” Happy NEW YEAR

And honestly, I was ready.

December wrapped me in something I did not know I needed. For the first time in years, I spent Christmas with both of my parents, my children, my grandchildren, all in one place. We ate well. We danced a lot. We laughed until our stomachs hurt. We made TikToks that will never see the light of day and told jokes that were funny even when they were not. It was sacred and silly and healing all at once. The kind of joy that restores your nervous system and reminds you who you belong to.

Which mattered deeply because right before all of  that beauty came devastating news. The city announced a complete cut of funding to the Greater Augusta Arts Council, along with several other nonprofit organizations doing meaningful work in our community.

And then came the internet.

One particular comment made its rounds: “Arts in the Heart should be able to get off the City’s hip. They charge enough.”

Now listen. Sometimes I want to respond. I am human. But I also understand that many people post from a place of not knowing, mixed with a desire to be heard. So let me offer some clarity, not defensiveness.

Arts in the Heart is a fundraiser for our nonprofit when it makes a profit. And I want to be very clear. It does not always make a profit. There are a lot of people to pay, a lot of infrastructure to support, and a whole lot of love poured into that weekend. We also give away thousands of tickets. Likely more than we sell. Add to that the constant misrepresentation of vendor fees. Arts in the Heart is actually one of the most affordable fine arts festivals in the region for artists. That part often gets skipped.

What we have not talked about enough is this. Arts in the Heart is a giant economic driver for Augusta. Full stop.

It pulls visitors downtown. It puts heads in hotel beds. It boosts local spending, which boosts tax revenue. It showcases every genre of entertainment in the literal heart of our city. Music. Dance. Visual art. Culture. Food. Heritage. All in one place. That kind of impact is not easily replicated.

I do not yet know exactly what the festival will look like this year. I am not going to pretend I do. But what I do know is this. We are going to make it happen, one smile at a time.

And somehow, despite everything, I am genuinely excited about this year.

As we hop fully into 2026, let me lovingly remind you. If you are a member of the Greater Augusta Arts Council at any level, please use the Resource Hub and Lending Library. These tools exist for you. Use them. Stretch them. Let them serve you.

If you are not a member yet, I must ask, respectfully, what are you waiting for?

We have onboarded a new CRM to communicate with you better. We are finding more ways to advocate for artists. We are building smarter systems, louder platforms, and stronger connections. And yes, we are a little unhinged while doing it. In the best way.

Coming up first, get ready for WET PAINT, our membership party of the year. This year’s theme is POP ART, and it will absolutely live up to the name. Members at every level attend for free. There will be art for auction, food, music, and community. The music this year is by Chris Ndeti, and I can say with confidence, she is going to bring the house down. The real goal is simple and sacred. Sell art by local artists. Save the date. March 13. Be in the room.

Right after that, we roll straight into the Inaugural Augusta Music and Songwriter Festival, May 15 and 16 at the Augusta Common. Trap Jazz is booked, along with other surprise songwriters. This festival is for artists with original music only. Songwriters. Storytellers. Creators. There will be workshops, talks, and performances designed to honor the craft, not rush it.

And then, because apparently, we like a full plate, June brings preparation for the Augusta Annual Arts Awards.

So yes, the plate is full. And yes, we are ready to consume it.

On a personal note, January surprised me. I returned to my church to direct the choir. Go figure. And I am still hosting my radio show, Talk Artsy to Me, with a visual podcast coming soon. Because apparently rest looks like doing things you love with people you trust.

So get ready, Augusta. We are finding more ways to amplify your voice. We are building even while things shift. And while we get it all together, keep talking artsy to me.