Even More to Celebrate at this Year’s Celebrating ART

For the third year, Stratford Academy will host Celebrating ART October 17-21. This community event gives Middle Georgia art lovers of all ages and stages an opportunity to experience, learn, and celebrate the visual arts. Macon Arts Alliance, Mercer University, Middle Georgia State University, Museum of Arts and Sciences, and Wesleyan College also participate as community partners in Celebrating ART. All events are held on Stratford’s campus located at 6010 Peake Road in Macon.

As in past years, Celebrating ART features the Gallery 6010 Artist Marketplace, which represents the work over 50 professional artists from across the country. This year’s Gallery 6010 is sponsored by Synovus Bank. All artwork in Gallery 6010 is available for sale and prices range from $75 to $5,000. New this year is the addition of some unique gift items to the marketplace. The gallery is open October 18-21 and there is no charge for admission. There are also visiting artists-in-residence who present workshops and demonstrations throughout the week.

The Glass Pumpkin Patch, sponsored by Butler Automotive Group, returns as a fun and unusual way for Middle Georgians to take their annual fall outing to the pumpkin patch. Last year, over 200 glass pumpkins, which were handblown by Devan Cole of Hot Glass Academy, were sold in two days. This year, there will be more than 500 glass pumpkins on site and several glass blowers represented. Pumpkin prices range from $20 to over $200. There is no charge to visit the Glass Pumpkin Patch and it will be open daily October 18-21.

This year’s event kicks off with the Arty Party Preview Celebration and Floral Design Throwdown sponsored by Elko Creek Capital on Wednesday, October 17, from 7-10 p.m. Preview celebration guests at the Arty Party get first “dibs” at the Gallery 6010 Artist Marketplace and the Glass Pumpkin Patch. A treat is also in store for attendees with a  distinctive, art-inspired floral design throw down featuring celebrity floral designers in a little friendly competition for the most unique representation of art in bloom. Guests with enjoy hors d’oeuvres, bar, and live music by Ryan Mims and Jon Lewis. Tickets are $30/individual or $50/couple.

If it is a hands-on art experience you desire, then take part in one of the glassblowing, sidewalk chalk art, or clay making workshops available throughout the week. These workshops are presented by professionals in their respective mediums and are open to anyone ages 8 and up. Reservations are required and can be made online. They are priced between $30 to $56 per person.

New this year to Celebrating ART is our Saturday Family Fun Day sponsored by the Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital at Navicent Health. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., the community is invited to a morning of family-friendly events and fun, which include a sidewalk chalk art contest, art activities, inflatables, art classes, food trucks, games, fun, and more. Guests can also purchase a Celebrating ART t-shirt for $15 and tie-dye it at the Tie-Dye Station. Free activities include admission to Gallery 6010 and Glass Pumpkin Patch, inflatables, art activities, and games. Ticketed activities include the food trucks, tie-dye t-shirt station, glassblowing and clay workshops.

There will also be a Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest with a junior division for children under 16 and a pro division for experienced chalk artists. A limited number of spaces are available for chalk artists, so reservations are required. Prizes will be awarded in both categories and there is a $20 entry fee for the pro division only. Chalk is provided for the children’s division artists.

Stratford Academy looks forward to sharing its love of the arts with the Middle Georgia community again this year. Visit www.celebratingartmacon.com for a full calendar of events and to purchase tickets or make reservations for any of these events. Questions relating to Celebrating ART can be emailed to celebratingartmcn@gmail.com or call 478-477-8073 x614.