Deadlines nearing for Arts in the Heart of Augusta, returning this fall bigger than ever

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read
The three-day ArtsCity Festival in 2021, like Arts in the Heart, featured art vendors, international foods and live performances, but was condensed for COVID-19 safety.
The three-day ArtsCity Festival in 2021, like Arts in the Heart, featured art vendors, international foods and live performances, but was condensed for COVID-19 safety.

If you're eager to share your artwork or talent for the return of the Arts in the Heart of Augusta festival in September, just a few days remain to apply for the fine arts and fine crafts market – that deadline is May 10 – and performers may apply through May 30.

After three years of waiting, Arts in the Heart of Augusta will be returning for its 40th annual festival Friday, Sept. 16, through Sunday, Sept. 18.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down the festival in 2020, and forced the Greater Augusta Arts Council to host the smaller-scale ArtsCity Festival in 2021, but this year, the festival will be back with all of the fun, food and fine art that guests know and love.

"We adore this event," said Augusta Arts Council Executive Director Brenda Durant. "We are very, very happy to be bringing this back, like, ecstatic. Last year, we did what we could and I think we did a great job with the smaller, safer event. But, we're very happy to be planning the beloved event again.

One big change is that the festival will now stretch to cover the 600, 700, 800 and 900 blocks of Broad Street. There is also a new indoor stage called the "Soul Suite Stage" that will feature poetry, storytelling, acoustic music, soul music, spoken word and improv.

Other returning stages include the Global Stage featuring cultural music and dance, the Jazz Stage, the family-friendly stage and the community stage featuring talent from the area.

The 40th annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival returns Friday, Sept. 16, to Sunday, Sept. 18, to downtown Augusta, Georgia.
The 40th annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival returns Friday, Sept. 16, to Sunday, Sept. 18, to downtown Augusta, Georgia.

The arts council says it expects more than 100 juried artists selling and showing off their creations. Once again, international food vendors will be on site and the family areas as well as the young artists markets will be returning.

"We basically celebrate the excellence of art in Augusta, and bringing people together," Durant said. "It's a festival that truly represents the demographics of Augusta."

The proceeds from the event go toward the arts council's efforts to advocate, employ and fund projects and artists around the Augusta area.

Admission badges go on sale online in July. For more information, go to artsintheheartofaugusta.com.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: A larger Arts in the Heart returns in September, artist deadlines near