Beautiful weather and captivating art were a winning combination for the 7th annual The Heart of Albany Festival presented by Publix at the Albany Museum of Art.

“We could not have asked for a lovelier fall day or better festival partners than Publix and our generous community-minded sponsors,” AMA Executive Director Andrew J. Wulf, Ph.D., said. “This is the third year that Publix has been our presenting sponsor. The Heart of Albany festival is our gift to the community, and it would not be possible to host this free event without the outstanding support we receive from Publix and businesses and organizations that understand the importance of art to a healthy community.”

With clear skies and mild temperatures, an estimated 3,300 people visited the Albany Museum of Art grounds during the eight-hour festival on Saturday, Nov 16.

“Attendance is getting close to pre-COVID levels,” Director of Development Chloe Hinton said. “We all are looking for things to do to help us connect with others in our community, and there is no better way to spend a Saturday than by enjoying the sight of art being created, letting the kids play in a safe space, strolling through an array of vendors with all types of items, and enjoying a picnic with lunch from a food truck.”

Lata Mary Fields, of Hogansville, Ga., won Best of Show in the professional chalk artist category at the festival for her artwork Indian Bridal Henna. Fields, a native of India, was participating in her fifth The Heart of Albany Festival.

Fields, who teaches private art classes and works in pastels, graphite, and pen and ink, takes inspiration from her Indian upbringing in bringing bold, vibrant, colors to the forefront of her artwork, and a joy in nature. She is a member of the Southeastern Pastel Society, the Georgia Chalk Artists Guild, and the Visual Artists Alliance of LaGrange.

Pro artists who participated Saturday were 2023 Best of Show winner Luqman Coffen, Jessie Queen, Sherri Harris, Shannon Brooke, Daniel Foy, Anna Wilschetz, Brittany Williams, Heather Cap, and Fawn DeRosia. Queen also created a popular 3D chalk image for visitor photos. Sponsors of the professional chalk blocks were Publix, the James M. Barnett, Jr. Foundation, Vine Vision, Phoebe, WebstaurantStore, Smile Doctors, Adams Exterminators, BMW of Albany, Albany Motorcars Mercedes-Benz, JLA, Edward Jones, Fleming and Riles Insurance Auto-Owners Insurance, and Brad Lanier Oil Company.

In the amateur chalk art category, Monroe High School won first place. Westover High School placed second, and Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School won third. There was no cost to schools or individuals to participate, with Phoebe sponsoring the school chalk blocks and WebstaurantStore sponsoring the community artist chalk blocks.

In addition to the professional and amateur chalk artists, artists in various disciplines demonstrated their creative process throughout the day. Participating artists included Scott Marini (cyanotype), Chris Johnson (wood-burned hats, info about murals, collaborative painting), Ke'Chanbria Ball (painting), Daniel Vanoteghem (mini figure painting), Remington Adams (jewelry), Tajah Taylor (waist beads), Joseph and Julie Bryant (portrait painting), Cora James (painting), Michelle Morrison (quick stenciled designing and printing to create wall decor), and Kathryn Phillips (heirloom photography).

"The festival also served as a showcase for young talent on the James M. Barnett, Jr. Foundation Stage," Hinton said. "Ballet Theatre South performed scenes from its upcoming holiday presentation of Snow White, and the Deerfield-Windsor School high school band closed out the day with popular covers."

Inside the museum, festival-goers selected the People's Choice winner in the inaugural Southwest Georgia Student Art Exhibition. Jurors selected the top three works in four categories in the exhibition and contest that attracted more than 110 entries from middle and high school students. That exhibition continues in the West Gallery through Jan 25, 2025.

"We had more than 50 vendors and food trucks," Hinton noted. "And the kids really enjoyed the family-friendly Vine Vision AMAzing Activities area, which had face-painting, a bounce house, games, and art projects."

In addition to sponsors, in-kind partners this year were 4imprint, AAA Concrete Products & Materials, Southwest Georgia Living Magazine, and Eddie’s Signs

Hinton said plans are already underway for the 8th annual The Heart of Albany Festival in November 2025.

AMA EXHIBITIONS

• Beauty in the Humble Places, a David Lanier Retrospective, is Aug 29, 2024-Jan 4, 2025, in the Haley Gallery.

• Rootwork, recent works by Jillian Marie Browning, is Aug 29, 2024-Jan 4, 2025, in the East Gallery.

• Sixty Years of Masterpieces and Memories, highlights from the Permanent Collection, is Aug 29, 2024-Jan 4, 2025, in the McCormack Gallery.

• Old Master Drawings from the Shaffer Collection, Part 3 is Aug 29, 2024-Jan 4, 2025, in the Hodges Gallery.

• The Southwest Georgia Student Art Exhibition is Nov 16, 2024-Jan 25, 2025 in the West Gallery.