Strings Attached - Due South honors public art winners
THOMASVILLE — Thomasville Center for the Arts, in partnership with Ashley + 1915 South and Hurst Boiler welcomed 40 adult artists and 25 youth artists to the Historic Downtown Creative district on April 4th to kick off Due South 2024, installing artwork celebrating Southern guitarists and genres, while also competing for cash awards and prizes.
This work, displayed through April 28th, will drive the creative economy to the historic downtown and is free to all as one of the Center’s programs, according to a press release from the Center.
People could hear the twang in the air as the guitars slowly lifted into place on the West Jackson Street and Ritz Amphitheater lamp posts and on the walls of The UnVacant Lot. Alongside them, the Guitar Hero sculpture and Strings Attached! planter add to the depth of just how far a community will go when celebrating the South, the press release said. The role of public art in a community adds beauty and character to rural spaces. Still, it also has a significant impact on economic development and provides opportunities for all people to reach their unique potential. It is vital to the success of a small downtown.
“Each spring, I am honored to work with the most creative group of artists in the region, challenging them to work outside the box and try something new, while encouraging the camaraderie and competition between them. It is amazing what these individuals can do – and how they think. Year after year, they keep us motivated to do more,” said Darlene Crosby Taylor, public art director at the Center.
After a 5-hour jury process with categories including storytelling, composition, and execution, winners were announced Thursday evening at a special gathering where artists and their “Guitar Hero” public art sponsors could celebrate the launch of the exhibition.
“This event allows the artists and sponsors to meet face to face and talk about the process and artwork – further developing their friendships. These relationships make our community special,” according to Joanne Thomas, development director at The Center.
Bobby Dollar’s Appliance Consultants presented the Adult Artist Awards. In the Adult Category for Best of Show, Marlo Ransdell and her Tom Petty guitar were selected from among 40 guitars with mediums ranging from paint, block print, collage, mixed media, papercut, and wood. Artists traveled from Atlanta, Georgia, Jacksonville, Florida, Birmingham, Alabama, and more.
Special recognition also belongs to the following adult artists:
First Place: Kent Smith with his Robert Johnson guitar.
First Place: Kent Smith with his Robert Johnson guitar.
Second Place: Sarah Malone Smith with her Dolly Parton guitar.
Honorable Mention: Terry Londy with his Allen Collins guitar.
An additional 4-way tie for Honorable Mention: NED Stacey with his Bill “Sauce Boss” Wharton guitar.
Amanda Parparian with her Elizabeth Cotton guitar.
Lucrezia Bieler with her Waylon Jennings guitar.
Jennifer Vanderbeek with her Billy Gibbons guitar.
Flowers Foods presented the Youth Artist Awards, with five schools competing: Thomasville High School, Thomasville High School Scholars Academy, Thomas County Central, Brookwood School, and Cairo High School. In the Youth Category for Best of Show, Emma Broome, Brookwood School, under the direction of art teacher, Trellis Payne, with the Country guitar was selected from among 10 guitars with mediums ranging from paint, collage, mixed media, and wood.
Special recognition also belongs to the following students: First Place: Evan Roberts, Kennedy Warren, Haley Rudd, Taylor Bracewell, Jaiden Guion, Thomas County Central High School, under the direction of art teacher, Maria Pittman, with the Folk guitar.
Second Place: Holly Davis, Emory Cochran, Janice Dong, Ella Kate Carroll, Kelon Vaughan, and Harper Page, Thomasville High School Scholars Academy, under the direction of art teacher, Ashley Ivey-Jackson, with the Bluegrass guitar.
Honorable Mention: Katherine Jones, Brookwood School, under the direction of art teacher, Trellis Payne, with the Cajun guitar.
Due South is just getting started, with the art, music, and food celebration culminating on Saturday, April 20th with headliner Boy Named Banjo performing at the Ritz Amphitheater. Tickets may be purchased online at https:// thomasvillearts.org/duesouth/ and proceeds benefit Thomasville Center for the Arts. The price of tickets goes up at the door, so get tickets today.
To see the full range of guitars, sculptures, and exhibitions related to Due South 2024: Strings Attached!, visit https://thomasvillearts.org/ publicart-events/.
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.