It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the 28th Wildlife Arts Festival. This year’s Festival honors precious traditions of the past, recognizes the beauty of our region and the talent of those who transform it into art, and lays the foundation for the next generation of passionate patrons to move the Festival forward with purpose and care.

It’s often difficult to put into words the big feelings that rise from this pristine land. Maybe words just don’t do it justice. Instead, we need art to tell the story of the rich life that surrounds us in the Red Hills region. That’s why Thomasville Center for the Arts and a band of dedicated volunteers have brought the Wildlife Arts Festival to Thomasville for the past 28 years to support creative programming at the Center.

This year, we’re honored to present Brennan Seward as our featured artist. A familiar Festival face, Seward first exhibited with us in 2004. He’ll join 70+ artists and artisans who inspire us to celebrate the sporting life through art. All of your favorite events will return, and as always, we have some fresh new experience in store. Join us!

2023 Featured Artist
Brennan Seward is an artist from post-independence Zimbabwe. His work is inspired by natural history and the great naturalist illustrators of a bygone era (15th-19th century). Brennan borrows inspiration from Japanese woodcuts and Chinese inks, as well as from master illustrators like Durer, Audubon and Kuhnert. The impressive size of Brennan’s pen and ink and his watercolors create a unique visual experience that is at once intimate and expansive.

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, November 9, 2023

6:00 - 7:30 pm: Public Art Unveiling

Wildlife Arts Festival’s Public Art Unveiling in Downtown Thomasville’s Creative District is “Taking Root” with a semi-permanent tree sculpture dedicated in honor of Leigh Perkins and Samuel Kellett.

Presented in partnership with The City of Thomasville, Florida State University, Hurst Boiler, 1915 South | Ashley, and Flowers Foods, and funded by a grant from Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Municipal Association.

Location: The UnVacant Lot, West Jackson Street, Thomasville, GA 31792

Saturday, November 11, 2023

10:00 am: Red Hills Rover Rally

Take the road less traveled during this guided off-road trail riding adventure through some of the most iconic and historic private properties in the Red Hills region with curated stops along the way. Casual attire.

Presented by?Capital Eurocars.

REGISTER | $150+

6:00 pm: Whiskey In The Woods

Take in the beautiful surroundings of Birdsong Nature Center at this open-air concert, featuring Jason Byrd with southern comfort foods served up by Jb Crumbs Catering paired with cigars and spirits that are sure to keep you warm.?Casual attire (boots encouraged!).

Presented by Proctor Subaru, Southlife Supply Co., and Southwest Georgia Farm Credit.

Location: Birdsong Nature Center, 2106 N Meridian Rd, Thomasville, GA 31792

Tickets | $75

Friday, November 17, 2023

7:00 - 10:00 pm: Fine Art Show | Black & White Underwriters Preview Party

Exclusive to Underwriters

Dress to impress in your finest black, white & red attire at this come together event of the year - mingle with friends, indulge in decadent fare on every floor by Jb Crumbs Catering and peruse the works of renowned artists & artisans to add to or start your own fine art collection at Thomasville’s historic art center. Black Tie (black, white, and red attire).

Presented by Synovus.

Become An Underwriter

Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts

Saturday, November 18, 2023

10:00 am - 5:00 pm: Fine Art Show & Artisan Market

Step into a lively social scene of top-shelf shopping, tasting and family-friendly fun from the finest lifestyle experts, artisans, ecologists, biologists and designers sprinkled with fashionable flourishes and wildlife encounters.

Presented by Synovus.

Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts

Cost: Free

7:30 pm: Bird Dog Bash

Place your bid and prepare to dance the night away at the grand finale party of the year anchored with a lively quick-draw art auction, bonfires, live music and a hearty supper by Southern Bleu Catering. Casual attire (boots encouraged!).

Presented by Wellington Shields.

Location: Sugar Hill Barn, Pebble Hill Plantation

Tickets

10:00 am: Women of Wildlife Art Workshop

Bring a friend and learn the art of leatherwork by creating your very own Southlife Supply Company clutch guided by Heather & Kelly Abbott, complete with refreshments, tools and takeaways!   

Presented by 1915 South | Ashley.

Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts

Tickets | $125

1:00 pm: Creative Covey Floral Workshops

Saturday, bring natural elements into the home and learn how to construct a professionally designed floral centerpiece under the direction of guest floral designer, Christy Hulsey. Sunday, expand your artistic scope by learning Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Both workshops include refreshments, tools and takeaways!   

Presented by 1915 South | ASHLEY.

Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts

Tickets | $125

11:00 am: Beguiled by the Wild | Youth Art Workshops

Young artists, ages 5-17, are invited to create their own masterpieces under the direction of guest artists, Karen Stauffer & Dave Junker, while learning?about our local wildlife and ecosystems.? Free entry, registration required.

Presented by The Pediatric Center.

11:00 am & 1:00 pm | Kids Ages 5-12
3:00 pm | Teens Ages 13-17

Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts

Register Kids | Free
Register Teens | Free

10:00 am - 5:00 pm: Go Wild! | Youth Art Activities

Enjoy the Jr. Wildlife Art Competition exhibit and an interactive floor of wildlife centric arts, storytelling & activities designed to inspire your young creator during Fine Art Show & Sale.

Presented by Imagination Emporium.

Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts

Cost: Free

Land + Lore Series

A conservation education series, presented by The Wright Group.

Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts

Cost: Free

Sunday, November 19, 2023

12:00 - 5:00 pm: Fine Art Show & Artisan Market

Step into a lively social scene of top-shelf shopping, tasting and family-friendly fun from the finest lifestyle experts, artisans, ecologists, biologists and designers sprinkled with fashionable flourishes and wildlife encounters.

Presented by Synovus.

Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts

Cost: Free

3:00 pm: Creative Covey Floral Workshops

Saturday, bring natural elements into the home and learn how to construct a professionally designed floral centerpiece under the direction of guest floral designer, Christy Hulsey. Sunday, expand your artistic scope by learning Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Both workshops include refreshments, tools and takeaways!   

Presented by 1915 South | Ashley.

Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts

Tickets | $125

12:00 pm: Beguiled by the Wild | Youth Art Workshops

Young artists, ages 5-17, are invited to create their own masterpieces under the direction of guest artists, Karen Stauffer & Dave Junker, while learning?about our local wildlife and ecosystems.? Free entry, registration required.

Presented by The Pediatric Center.

12:00 & 2:00 pm | Kids Ages 5-12
4:00 pm | Teens Ages 13-17

Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts

Register Kids | Free
Register Teens | Free

12:00 - 5:00 pm: Go Wild! | Youth Art Activities

Enjoy the Jr. Wildlife Art Competition exhibit and an interactive floor of wildlife centric arts, storytelling & activities designed to inspire your young creator during Fine Art Show & Sale.

Presented by Imagination Emporium.

Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts

Cost: Free

Land + Lore Series

A conservation education series, presented by The Wright Group.

Schedule:
1 pm | Land is Life, Christopher Watt
3 pm | Southeastern Premiere of Longleaf Forever, Longleaf Alliance

Location: Thomasville Center for the Arts

Cost: Free

Date:
November 9-19, 2023

Locations:
The UnVacant Lot, West Jackson Street, Thomasville, GA 31792
Birdsong Nature Center, 2106 N Meridian Rd, Thomasville, GA 31792
Thomasville Center for the Arts, 600 East Washington Street, Thomasville, GA 31792

Click here for More Information