The 23rd Annual Fine Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, May 11th, 2019 from 10AM until 3PM and is definitely worth seeing. The event, held annually at the corner of Dempsey Avenue and East Third Street, and adjacent to the Jackson Veterans Memorial Park, draws both artists and art lovers from all over Georgia. Patrons may view and purchase original artwork in the form of paintings, clay, mixed media, photography, blown glass, sculpture, turned wood, jewelry and much more. A number of the artists are also from Butts County, including Scott Coleman and Katherine Allen Coleman, Alan Jones, Barri Lynn Hannah and others. This year, works from Atlanta artist Su Abbott will be featured for the first time as well!

The Jackson-Butts County Council for the Arts “is organized for the purpose of encouraging excellence in the arts by promoting a broad range of arts activities throughout the county. It is to provide opportunities for children and adults to develop their imaginations and creative abilities through exposure to exhibitions, performances, concerts, festivals, and classes” according to their mission statement. The active group is always welcoming to new members interested in promoting and advancing the arts in Butts County.

The Council houses its permanent collection of artworks at the Butts County Administration Building for the enjoyment of all citizens and visitors. Last year, one of the latest additions to the collection was a beautiful painting “Millennium” by R. Scott Coleman, shown below. The painting shows what downtown Jackson looked like at the turn of the 21st century, from the artist’s view of downtown on December 31, 1999.

Drop by and see what all is available at the 2019 Fine Arts Festival!

What: 23rd Annual Fine Arts Festival
When: May 11, 2019 (Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend); Open to the Public 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Corner of Dempsey Avenue and Third Street in Jackson, next to the Veteran’s Memorial Park
How: Participate in 2019 Patron Art Dollars (PAD). Pre- purchase PADs in increments of $25 beginning with a minimum of $100 and use at the festival.
Why: Fine artists are attracted to the festival because they understand that individuals in the community have committed to purchasing art. Festival opens exclusively for PAD participants at 9 a.m. so that you can purchase the best that the artists have created.
Participate: Return the form below with your check for the amount of Patron Art Dollars that you want to pre-purchase. On May 11th your PADs will be ready for you at the Council tent at 9 a.m.
You will give the artists the PADs for your purchases. If you are due change, the artists will give you that in cash. You may spend more than the amount of PADs that you’ve pre-purchased by showing the artists your 2019 PAD envelope and paying the artists directly. PADs must be picked up by 2 pm on the day of the festival or will be considered a donation to the Arts Council.
Check out the artists with links on www.JacksonArtsCouncil.com (Festivals and Events) and by following “The Jackson-Butts County Council for the Arts” on Facebook.
If you have any questions, please contact us. Thank you for supporting art in the community. We look forward to seeing you on May 11, 2019.