Albany Area Artist Network launches for art talent

ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany Area Arts Council (AAAC) hosted the launch event for the Albany Area Artist Network (AAAN), creating a valuable opportunity for local artists and creatives to connect and collaborate.

The initiative also includes the development of a website to showcase local talent and connect artists with hire opportunities.

“People get further and further apart. And, so, our artists were sort of very separate, you know what I mean? Like everybody’s out there working, but they kind of work in their silos or in their little groups. And, we feel like we need people to be together to create a community so that they can inspire one another and do cool things for our city. So, like from the Arts Council’s perspective, that’s what we’re hoping to, to help people do. And, this is just one way to do it. I’m sure there’s a lot of them, but this is the way we’re doing it,” said Nicole Willis, Executive Director.

The event offered plenty for attendees to enjoy, from meeting new people to participating in a community collage, silent auction, open mic, and indulging in free food and wine… All in a warm, inviting atmosphere.

For the Arts Council, the evening held special significance as they took the time to honor someone dear to their hearts.

“First, I’ll say, as the arts council director, the exhibit that we have up in the building right now is actually a memorial exhibit for Amy Anderson, who was a local artist and activist. And, she worked really hard in her lifetime, which was entirely too short. And, her work was about supporting and empowering artists, and she ran the renaissance connection, and she had a business downtown, the renaissance cafe. So, we wanted to honor her in some way. And it just means so much to me that and that’s why I bring it up, that her work is here for this, because I feel like it’s something that Amy would have loved,” said Willis.

To support the Arts Council or explore the Artist Network to hire local talent, visit their website at albanyartscouncil.org.

Gabe Hutton reporting.

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