Albany Museum of Art preparing for The Heart of Albany Festival

ALBANY, Ga. – A fall tradition is coming back this weekend as the Albany Museum of Art is getting set to host their Heart of Albany Festival on Saturday.

Museum Communications Director, Jim Hendricks says that this will be the fifth time in six years in person, and the first that will be hosted on the grounds of The Art Museum.

“It is a celebration of community, it’s a celebration of art. It’s an opportunity to bring everyone together. Let’s have a good time; celebrate fall, celebrate the arts in our community. We’ve got a really strong, diverse art community, and it’s something we need to be proud of…” said Jim Hendricks, Director of Communications, AMA.

For those unfamiliar with it, The Heart of Albany Festival originally started as Chalk Fest and held in downtown Albany.

Now, it’s expanding to being on the grounds of the museum, and featuring more than just chalk art.

“…But you know, it’s great to have the different types of art disciplines that will be featured out here. Its one of the things that’s always popular with the public…” said Hendricks.

For some, The Heart of Albany Festival will be the perfect place to get young minds going.

“We find that when students are exposed to it, they tend to better in their academics, and it helps them in other areas. It helps them to think differently, it helps them to develop their critical thinking skills,” said Hendricks.

And, for artists getting to show off, it’s a chance to display their work without the need of a proper exhibit.

“Not every artist is going to get one of those, but they’ll get a lot of exposure out here during the festival. People will get to see some of their work, and we will have some live art demonstrations…” said Hendricks.

As the museum gets set to welcome festival goers on Saturday, its a great chance for local artists to show off.

The festival will start at 10 a.m. Saturday morning at The Art Museum and run until 5 p.m. that evening.

Brian Roche reporting.

Copyright 2023 CBS 44 South Georgia. All rights reserved.