EVENTS
WetPaint Party & Art Sale
The Wet Paint Party & Art Sale is an event held by the Arts Council as part fundraiser, part soiree and part art auction. Held annually, this gathering of arts lovers, supporters and artists occurs in late February to early March. Those with Supporter Level Membership & higher are able to attend at no additional cost. The purpose of this event is to bring together artists and patrons, to foster funds for participating artists through arts sales via the silent auction, and to raise funds for the Arts Council’s mission to further the vibrant arts and culture in the Augusta River Region. Many WetPaint Party events have also seen live fashion show components and, in recent history, dazzling models dressed to fit the event’s theme. The fashion is trusted to the one and only Ooollee Bricker and her team at Vintage Ooollee.
The 2023 event was held at the Julian Smith Casino on March 4th. This year’s event theme being “Alice in Wonderland” with a Mad Hatter’s tea party enacted out by local performance theatre groups.
Thank you to our WetPaint Party & Art Sale Sponsors!
Arts Day Luncheon
The annual Arts Day Luncheon sees the arts community, local government and regional government come together to discuss the state of the arts nationally, regionally and locally.
Each year the Greater Augusta Arts Council hosts an annual Luncheon focused on local arts. Discussions are held on economic development, upcoming plans for the future and public art. It provides a great opportunity to gain understanding of the importance of arts in Augusta.
The 2023 Arts Day Luncheon will be on November 9th from 11:30am – 1pm at Sacred Heart Cultural Center. Featured topic will be “AEP6: Learn About the Economic Impact of the Arts in Augusta.”
Special Guest Speakers: Dr. Genna Styles-Lyas
AEP6 Director, Community Engagement & Equity
Margaret Woodard, Executive Director Downtown Development Authority
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Special Event Sponsors: Cadence Bank
Annual Augusta Arts Awards
Each summer the Arts Council and its members come together for the annual meeting, the changing of the board and a ceremony to honor several arts heroes in our community.
The Annual Awards are bestowed on individuals nominated by the community and confirmed by a team who works closely with the Arts Council.
The Annual Awards include:
- Artist Award
- Arts Professional Award
- Media Award
- Sponsor Award
- Kath Engler Public Art Award
Arts in the Heart of Augusta
The third weekend in September is a highlight of the Augusta social calendar. The festival spans several prime blocks in the Downtown Augusta area and attracts 100,000+ patrons each year and there are a thousand volunteers who help make the event run smoothly.
This year the Festival was held September 15 – 17, 2023 in historic downtown Augusta, GA.
Each year there are up to five stages with entertainment booked for the entire festival schedule. We also feature over 130+ artists booths with artists that hail from all over the nation. The event has won several awards including Best Festival in the South.
Patrons can shop, dance and eat to their heart’s content. More than a dozen cultural associations work together to bring a full compliment of eats and treats from all over the world to the Arts in the Heart festival. These signature dishes are made on-site to order and are the highlight of the festival for many event attendees.
Mark your calendars for September 20-22, 2024!
For photos and stories from the 2023 Festival visit ArtsintheHeartofAugusta.com
Professional Workshops
As part of our commitment to Workforce Development the Arts Council hosts professional development workshops throughout the year. There are several of these events on our calendar at any given time in a typical year, including the new aritst-to-artist series: Creative Conversations.
For more about resources for artists visit our resources page.
Creative Conversations
Creative Conversations is an intimate monthly meet up for Augusta River Region’s artists and arts professionals where they can network and learn about methods of practice through conversations lead by local Arts Professionals. Each conversation is guided by said Arts Professionals through topics they are familiar with most, including but not limited to: Exhibiting work, website and social media development, mural making, framing artwork, touring and copyright.
This event is hosted monthly on the second-to-last Thursday of the month at 5:15pm in the Greater Augusta Arts Council Conference Room.
It is free for artist and organization members of the Arts Council and $10.00 for each event for not-yet-members.
You can sign-up in the link below!
Sculpture Trail Events
Augusta has joined a national array of cities that bring new art into public spaces through the temporary lease of outdoor sculptures. 120 artists from across the country submitted images and physical specifications for their ready-to install, original sculptures. The top ten sculptors were selected and invited to bring their sculptures to downtown Augusta for installation. The pieces will remain a part of the Sculpture Trail for two years.
Some of the most engaging sculptors in the country show their artwork this way, gaining professional recognition and sometimes having their pieces purchased. Augusta’s Sculpture Trail public art sculptures is located downtown and placed at intervals that makes for a fun and easy outdoor walking trail.
The Greater Augusta Arts Council has produced a digital walking tour in partnership with Otocast that can be accessed from any mobile device.
This tool will help visitors learn specifics about each work of art and artist while they explore the Sculpture Trail. For more information visit www.AugustaSculptureTrail.com
