Georgia Communities to Host Traveling Art Exhibit "Reimagine"

Georgia's Traveling Art Exhibition Set to Inspire 10 Communities

Starting February 2025, a unique traveling art exhibition titled "Reimagine: Contemporary Georgia Artists" will embark on a journey across ten communities in Georgia. This marks the first such initiative in over ten years by the Georgia Council for the Arts, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. The exhibition aims to foster local arts activities, enhance cultural appreciation, and boost tourism in the host areas.

The communities chosen for this art tour were selected through a competitive process, with a focus on engaging smaller and rural locales. Each participating community will receive a grant to facilitate the exhibition and related activities. Additionally, the Georgia Council for the Arts will provide guidance on incorporating local artist workshops, student educational opportunities, and interactive gallery experiences.

Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson remarked, "Bringing selections from the Georgia State Art Collection to rural communities in all four corners of the state and showcasing the work of each community’s local, active artists is an exciting opportunity." He acknowledged the Georgia General Assembly's support for expanding arts services to rural areas, emphasizing the role of arts in fostering state pride and cultural heritage.

Executive Director of Georgia Council for the Arts, Tina Lilly, added, "This traveling exhibit provides opportunities for connection and collaboration through a unique arts experience. This is more than just an art exhibit – ‘Reimagine’ shows how the arts can enhance multigenerational engagement and community development."

The State Art Collection, managed by the Georgia Council for the Arts, boasts over 600 works from Georgia artists dating back to the 1970s to 1990s. The collection serves as an educational resource, a preservation of artistic heritage, and a celebration of Georgia's diverse artistic communities.

Featured in the exhibition are paintings, photographs, and drawings by artists, including the nationally acclaimed self-taught artist Nellie Mae Rowe. The exhibit will also highlight traditional crafts like quilting and lacemaking, showcasing the rich Southern artistic traditions.

Over an 18-month period, each community will host the exhibition for approximately six weeks. The tour calendar is as follows:

• Euharlee – Euharlee Welcome Center & History Museum (February 3-March 14, 2025)
• Greenville – Artisans on the Square (March 24-May 2, 2025)
• Waycross – Okefenokee Heritage Center (May 12-June 20, 2025)
• Moultrie – The Arts Center of Moultrie (June 30-August 8, 2025)
• Cuthbert – Andrew College (August 18-September 26, 2025)
• Douglas – Satilla Regional Library System (October 6-November 14, 2025)
• McRae-Helena – Pioneer Historical Society (January 12-February 20, 2026)
• Sylvania – Screven-Jenkins Regional Library System (March 2-April 10, 2026)
• Buckhead – Steffen Thomas Museum of Art (April 20-May 29, 2026)
• Dawsonville – Bowen Center for the Arts (June 8-July 17, 2026)

Research suggests that Georgia's nonprofit arts and culture sector contributes an economic impact of at least $1.27 billion and supports about 20,000 jobs. Such events not only draw visitors and revenue but also foster community pride and attract businesses to the area.

About Georgia Council for the Arts
Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) empowers the arts industry in Georgia and artists around the state to cultivate healthy, vibrant communities that are rich in civic participation, cultural experiences, and economic prosperity. As part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Council for the Arts provides grant funding, programs, and services statewide that support this vital industry, preserve our cultural heritage, and create increased access to meaningful arts experiences. Visit gaarts.org for more information.

About GDEcD
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for arts, film, and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. Visit georgia.org for more information.

Media Contact:
Allie Dean
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