Art showcased in the RAC Exhibition : Second Cycle and First Cycle by Mandy
Macias , left , and Whale by Emma Kostopolus .
Some of the exhibitions are on-going , such as the
DRAWPROJECT exhibition and fundraiser . This was the 18th year the DRAWPROJECT has been featured at the Turner Center . The DRAW- PROJECT is a drawing invitational exhibition and fundraiser that raises money to support two scholarships that benefit VSU Art and Design students . The exhibition features art from local and national artists invited to donate original works .
“ The DRAWPROJECT earnings support the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Scholarship and the Danielle B . Harmon Scholarship which provides financial assistance to students ,” said Abigail Heuss , a faculty member of VSU .
“ The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Scholarship was established in 2008 , and is dedicated to promoting and celebrating its art community . Since its inception 26 students have received this scholarship , which is not only a generous gift from the Turner Center and the community , but a chance to gain experience working with talented artists and curators .”
“ This year according to our account , we have 50 works donated by our fantastic contributing artists ,” said Heuss .
Those who wish to bid on the pieces can visit e . givesmart . com / events / FBk /.
“ If you ’ d like to watch the bidding and participate on your phone , which I personally find to be the most fun way to do this , just text DRAW25 to the number 76278 ,” said Heuss . The auction lasts until February 18 . Another recurring exhibit featured was the annual Regional Artist Community Exhibition .
The RAC exhibition features local and regional artists and offers them the opportunity to show and distribute their work . The pieces in this collection ranged from glasswork , sculpture , and paintings , and showcased a broad variety of techniques .
“ We are huge on promoting our local artists here . South Georgia has a thriving artistic scene , and not a lot of people know about it , so we ’ re working on bringing that into the limelight ,” said Madison Caldwell , curator at the Turner Center .
“ We want to promote our community and provide a space , not only for the community to come and engage with the arts , but also for our local artists to have somewhere to come and embrace their artistic endeavors .”
Todd Wessel ’ s “ After the Hurricane ” was also featured . This collection of paintings celebrate everyday stories of life , love , and triumph through adversity . Wessel ’ s art included scenes of nature , people , and familiar locations around the Valdosta area .
The Turner Center exhibitions allow visitors to discover a broad range of art . Everyone can find a work of art that captures their attention and piques their interest .
“ I want people to come in and engage with the arts , realize that there is so much that is entailed with the art . That it ’ s not just simply just looking at a painting on the wall ,” said Caldwell . “ There ’ s so much to it : learning about the techniques , learning about the artists , learning about the process behind the art itself . Each painting tells a story .”
“ I always want them to come in and look at the bigger picture and look at how it all goes together and what each piece has to tell .”
February 2025 | Valdosta Scene 17