Can you believe it’s already time for Vegan Turkey and Mac and NOT Cheese? Where did the year go? I swear it flew by faster than a spaceship on autopilot through orbit. One blink and boom!, we’re sliding into the holiday season with creativity bursting from every corner of Augusta, Georgia. 

We’re officially on the other side of Arts in the Heart (we did that, y’all!), and now we’re gearing up for Wet Paint and honey, it’s going to be a party. This year’s theme? POP ART! So get ready to show up bold, bright, and unapologetically you. Because we all know, Wet Paint ain’t Wet Paint without the attire, darling! Shine up your funky fits, bring your art, and let’s make this city shake with color and creativity.

And while you’re setting your calendars, don’t blink, because next up is the Inaugural Augusta Music & Songwriter Festival in May, followed by our Annual Arts Awards in June. Who knew we’d be stacking so much creative magic in one year?

Here’s the thing, I’ve been so proud of how intentional we’ve been this year about amplifying the arts, raising awareness, creating access, and making YOU feel seen (and heard!). We just wrapped up the City Arts Grants, awarding funding to 16 local nonprofits to continue their work. We’ve also launched the Creative Futures Membership, giving artists more ways to plug in and grow with us.

But here comes my heartfelt plea:

Join the Arts Council. I know you love what’s happening. You’ve seen the growth, felt the energy, and watched this beautiful arts community blossom. But membership is how we do this work. Contrary to popular belief, Arts in the Heart is our fundraiser when it makes money and when it doesn’t, we rely on membership to keep the mission alive.

Every week, we get calls, emails, and DMs from artists and community members asking for help, guidance, or collaboration. And we want to say yes every time but we can’t work without the fuel that membership provides. More members mean more access, more advocacy, and more ability to serve this creative city.

So my November ask? Join the Arts Council, pretty please. Tell your friends, your coworkers, your barista, your cousin who paints on weekends, your boss who secretly writes poetry, tell them all. Because membership means movement.

October was a whirlwind, I was honored to receive the Mary Jones Award for Black Excellence, attended a dance competition (shoutout to my dancers!), hit a few ribbon cuttings, spoke with young women about confidence, and found time to make crafts using items from the Resource Hub. (Yes, miracles do happen!)

And with the state of the world and the recent SNAP cuts, here’s one more way you can help: if kindness moves you, please drop off nonperishable food items at the Arts Council. We’ll be donating them to Golden Harvest Food Bank for families affected by these cuts. Because everyone deserves to eat and this issue will snap out of it soon enough to realize that.

Until then love more, give more, share more.

Stay creative, stay kind, and as always…

Talk Artsy to Me.