The week of February 3rd-7th the Volunteer Arts Alliance of the Colquitt County Arts Center will celebrate and host The Art of the Hunt. Up until this year, the Hunt Dinner and the silent and live auctions have been a solo event. Two new events have been added in order to give more community members the opportunity to engage in and support the Arts Center. 

The first Hunt Dinner was cooked in 1991 up by the Arts Center Director at the time Holly Duggan Beard and longtime volunteer and supporter of the arts Beverly Adcock. These two ladies were looking for a new fundraiser for the Arts Center and the Hunt Dinner was born.

A lot of familiar volunteers have cooked and served and gathered items for the auctions over the years including Patsy Browning who headed up cooking for many years, Joann Gay, Karen Willis, Virginia Hart and so many others who have contributed to the success of the event over time. 

The current committee, led by Marie Brown, is excited to offer two additional events this year – one exclusively for the ladies and one exclusively for the gentlemen. 

FIELD & VINE

Join us for a ladies only evening of specially crafted wine pairings with a special preview of wildlife works by Vivian Jendzio on Monday February 3rd at 6:30 in the evening at the Colquitt County Arts Center. Five courses of wine and pairings will be offered led by Vincent D’agistano, the sommelier from Jekyll Island Club with Kara Rentz catering the event. The exhibit artist has set aside four special pieces for an exclusive viewing and there will be beautiful gifts given to guests.  Only 60 tickets are available and can be purchased online from Eventbrite. Tickets are $50 each and all proceeds benefit the Colquitt County Arts Center. This event is being sponsored by the Sterling Center for Women’s Health. 

WHISKEY & WILDLIFE

Not to leave the gentleman out, there will be an evening just for them which will include catering by Jay Lacey, whiskey tasting flights, hand rolled cigars by Honor Cigars and guest speaker, Mark Williams, Commissioner of Natural Resources. This event is to be held at the Sullivan Plantation on Tuesday, February 4th, beginning at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $100 person with a limited availability. This event is being sponsored by Pentas Raymond James.

29th ANNUAL HUNT DINNER

The capstone event of the week is the 29th Annual Hunt Dinner with a Live and Silent Auction. Join us in the Arts Center ballroom on Friday, February 7th, for this festive annual fundraiser, hosted by Ameris Bank! Your ticket includes a custom catered wild game meal prepared by Stewbos Catering at Merry Acres, entry into our huge silent auction and a chance to win any number of our fabulous prizes during the live auction! Tickets are $75 per person. Join us at 5:30 for social hour and silent auction with dinner at 7:30 with the live auction. 

The Silent Auction will offer a variety of items from original artworks, a clay shoot and a fun experience offered by two local businesses as well as a dinner for 10. Live auction items will include everything from private quail hunts to a trip for 8 to Telluride. 

Raffle tickets can also be purchased for $10 each for a chance at $1000, $500 or $250 cash prizes and you do not have to be present to win the raffle. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Arts Center. 

For more information on each of these events call the Arts Center at 985-1922.