CONNIE FRITZ: Art speaks every language

Published 3:59 pm Friday, October 18, 2019

We truly saw Art speaking many languages and showcasing the diversity of our wonderful community last weekend at the Colquitt County Arts Center’s 3rd Annual Artoberfest. From Li Zhang demonstrating Tai Chi to the beautiful performance by The Dancers Azteca to Eddie Fabrizio Castellanos on Electric Violin and John Neely on guitar and performances by the cast of Flat Stanley and Shrek, Jr., and music by Sonder with the Good Life Drum Circle keeping a steady beat our community celebrated.

It was a beautiful day for Artoberfest with music and dance and art under the trees, children and adults creating art, local artists showcasing and selling their works, chalk drawing, puppet play and so much more. And the food provided by The Latin House was delicious!

The evening concert at Ashburn Hill could not have been more fun! The Woodstock cover band was great, the sky was bright, the friends were plentiful and Rocco’s and NomNomNom food trucks did not disappoint!

If you missed the opportunity to be a part of this event go ahead and mark your calendars now for next year! Artoberfest 2020 will take place on Saturday, October 10th from 10 AM until 3 PM on the grounds of the Arts Center. The Arts Center staff is already brainstorming ways to develop this event even more to broaden our reach into the community.

It takes a lot of time, energy and effort to put together events like these. The Arts Center staff, board members and a team of dedicated community volunteers including Erin Barfield, Maggie Patel, Tori Fuller, Drew & Megan Fleetwood, Dani Mobley, Bethany Bradley made it look so easy when really there were literally months of planning and preparation.

Thanks to a group of local sponsors we were able to cover the cost of the day’s events and talent. Those sponsors include Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Aguero, Dr. and Mrs. Timothy Fagan, Smile Doctors, Dr. Jeffrey Barnett, Farrey Family Dentistry, Dr. Johnny Gosier, Dr. David Howington and Dr. Shane Wood.

Sponsors for the evening event included Red Clay Graphics; Weeks Farm Machinery, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Broadleaf Trucking, WMTM Cruisin 94, Dr. and Mrs. Jacob Schwartz, IFCO Seedlings, Vereen Family Foundation, Ashburn Hill Plantation, Double Play Trophies and Colquitt Regional Medical Center.

The Arts Center Staff and Board are always looking for creative ways to provide arts education and programming for our community and neighboring communities. Come be part of the fun! Volunteer to be on the committee for next year- we will begin meeting once a month in January to plan and prepare.

Your financial support is critical to the growth of arts education and programming. The absolute best way you can support the ongoing efforts of the Arts Center is to become a Patron of the Arts. For more information about how to become a Patron- call the Arts Center at 985-1922 or better yet come and see us.