Talk Artsy to me
Honey, Listen…
Here we are, standing at the doorstep of July, and June came through like that relative who says, “I’m only staying for a minute,” and somehow spends the entire weekend. It brought joy, a few tears, a healthy dose of chaos, and enough meetings to make me wonder if my calendar has developed a personal vendetta against me.
But before I get into festivals, construction fences, and city planning that made me clutch my pearls, let me start with the good stuff. I’ve learned that if you don’t intentionally celebrate your blessings, your stress will gladly steal the microphone. June kicked off with my daughter Symphoni’s 12th Annual Dance Recital. Twelve years! Watching your child build something that started as a dream is a beautiful thing. As a parent, there comes a moment when you’re no longer simply cheering them on. You’re sitting in awe of the leader they’ve become.
One of the most unforgettable moments came from my granddaughter’s performance dedicated to autism. There wasn’t a dry eye in the theater. We often hear the stories of parents and caregivers, but this piece gave us a glimpse through the eyes of a sibling. It was tender, honest, and beautifully human. That’s what art does. It allows us to borrow someone else’s heart for just a few minutes.
The following weekend brought another gift. Father’s Day also happened to be my dad’s 78th birthday. If you’ve followed my journey, you know that in January 2024 my father became critically ill while living in California. I flew out to bring him home, and there were moments when we simply didn’t know what tomorrow would look like. So, to celebrate another birthday and another Father’s Day with him sitting right beside me, while my mother smiled across the table, wasn’t just another family gathering.
It was grace.
I’ve learned that birthdays become more precious the older we get. They’re not simply reminders of age. They’re evidence that God is still writing the story. I also must brag on my husband for just a moment. Baruti continues to amaze me. He’s my favorite artist, my best friend, and my biggest supporter. Somewhere along the way, though, he also became one of my parents’ favorite people. Honestly, I’m beginning to think I need to schedule an appointment if I want quality time with my own mama and daddy.
And because June clearly decided it wasn’t done showing off, I got to do something that was honestly pretty dope.
I had the honor of serving as the conversation partner for the book signing with Mopreme Shakur, Tupac Shakur’s older brother, at The Book Tavern. We talked music, legacy, family, community, and the stories that often live between the headlines. It was thoughtful, honest, and one of those conversations that reminds you why books still matter.
Huge thanks to David and Alex for the invitation. Y’all trusted me with a really special conversation, and I had an amazing time. Some opportunities don’t just end up on your calendar. They become moments you’ll remember.
Speaking of celebrating people…
We gathered for one of my favorite evenings of the year, the Augusta Annual Arts Awards at the beautiful St. Paul’s River Room. Seventeen remarkable creatives were recognized for the countless ways they’ve made Augusta a richer, more vibrant place to call home. Every award represented years of dedication, sacrifice, creativity, and service.
This year carried an especially meaningful moment as we presented the Scott Seidl Visionary Leadership Award posthumously to Scott and officially named the award in his honor.
Scott believed in artists before they believed in themselves.
He opened doors.
He encouraged people.
He quietly built a stronger arts community simply by believing there was room for everyone at the table. They say you die twice. Once when you leave this earth, and once the last time someone speaks your name. I have a feeling Scott won’t have to worry about that. His name will continue to be spoken every year through the Scott Seidl Visionary Leadership Award, and that’s exactly how it should be.
Our theme for the evening was simple.
#BeKind.
In a world that seems determined to reward outrage, kindness feels almost rebellious.
Let’s keep choosing it anyway.
Now…
Let’s talk about Arts in the Heart.
I’ll admit it.
I threw a perfectly respectable internal tantrum.
I questioned city planning.
I stared at construction fences like they had personally offended me.
I briefly wondered if we could just…move the Augusta Common.
Turns out, that’s not how parks work.
Now seriously…I’d love to attend the meeting where someone said,
“Let’s have five streets under construction AND close the Augusta Common during Augusta’s busiest event season.”
Candlelight.
Miracle Mile
Ironman.
Arts in the Heart.
Bold strategy.
But life has a funny way of reminding us that sometimes the door you’re pounding on stays closed because another one is quietly opening. After several visits, conversations, and more measuring than I care to remember, we made the decision to move Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival to the Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds.
I’ll be honest.
I was skeptical.
Then I walked the property.
Artists see things differently.
Where some people saw an empty fairground, I saw possibility.
I saw a blank canvas.
I saw room to breathe.
I saw opportunities to create experiences we simply couldn’t have before.
The more I walked, the more excited I became.
This year’s festival is going to feel different.
More spacious.
More immersive.
More activated.
More fun.
And yes…
I’ve already heard the comments.
“But Denise…it’s going to be hot.”
Friends… It’s September in Georgia. If somebody discovers how to order 72 degrees with a slight breeze and zero humidity, please forward me the link.
Until then, wear your sunscreen.
Bring a cooling towel.
Grab an umbrella for shade.
Drink your water.
Then come anyway.
Because the artists are worth it.
The performers are worth it.
The food is definitely worth it.
Speaking of food…
We’re thrilled to welcome Ghana and Nigeria to this year’s Global Village. Personally, my first stop is probably going to involve jollof rice. Matter of fact…don’t follow me. I don’t need competition in that line.
And while we’re talking about cultures…
I know vegan isn’t technically a country, but don’t tell me it isn’t a culture. My plant-based friends have their own language, recipes, and passion. We’re going to keep working on that one too. There is one thing I want everyone to understand this year. Arts in the Heart isn’t just a festival.
It’s a fundraiser.
One big festival supporting one small nonprofit.
The Greater Augusta Arts Council works every day of the year advocating for artists, supporting public art, creating opportunities, strengthening arts education, and helping make Augusta a more creative place to live. Arts in the Heart helps fund that mission.
Every year someone asks,
“So…y’all are still charging admission?”
Yep.
Sure are.
Stages don’t magically appear overnight.
Sound systems aren’t powered by good intentions.
Portable restrooms aren’t sponsored by fairy dust.
Artists deserve to be valued.
Your ticket helps make all of that happen.
Some years we raise funds.
Some years we break even while producing one incredible weekend for thousands of people.
Either way, your ticket is doing more than getting you through the gate.
It’s investing in the arts all year long.
Speaking of investing in community…
I had the privilege of serving as a judge for Habitat for Humanity’s annual Build the Band fundraiser. Can I just say…Augusta showed up and together they raised more than $86,000 to help families build homes.
Now that’s music with a purpose. I had the pleasure of judging alongside Ed Turner, David Watts, Amy Patton, and Trey McLaughlin. We laughed, we danced in our seats, and we heard some phenomenal talent. Congratulationsto Midnight Altitude, led by AE the Cool, for bringing home the win. It reminded me that when artists gather around a purpose bigger than themselves, beautiful things happen.
So now…
Festival season is officially here.
The planning continues.
The meetings continue.
The emails definitely continue.
My morning matcha and I have entered a committed relationship.
And together we’re all going to pray for cooler temperatures and absolutely no “water from the sky.”
Because despite the spreadsheets…
The budgets…
The meetings…
The construction…
And the occasional adult tantrum…
Festival season is still my favorite season.
Until next time…
Be kind.
Support an artist.
Buy the painting.
Stay for the music.
Try the jollof rice.
Visit a gallery.
Take a dance class.
Applaud louder than you normally would.
Because every time you invest in the arts, you’re investing in the heartbeat of our community.
As always…
Keep it Artsy.