Arts in Black back: Festival draws crowd
Published 8:00 am Wednesday, May 11, 2022
- Shekiah and John Moore are with Kiah's Desserts, a baked goods business operating out of Hahira that specializes in pastries and cakes made from scratch. Having brought their business on the road around four years ago, they now regularly attend festivals, bringing their treats to each and every one.
TIFTON — Arts in Black ended its two-year hiatus this past weekend with vendors, artists and members of the community again celebrating African American art, culture and history.
Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic the two previous years, festival organizers said they felt ready to bring the event back in 2022 and pulled out all of the stops to make up for lost time.
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Inclement weather prevented the Arts Under the Stars event Friday, May 6, in Fulwood Park but a quick relocation to local business Savor the Flavor kept festivities going.
The change in venues was even seen as an improvement, said Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes, one of the festival organizers. Hughes said some attendees suggested that future Arts Under the Stars be held at Savor the Flavor as well.
Saturday, May 7, with clear skies and perfect weather, the festival was back in Fulwood Park, where vendors and attendees gathered around a center stage perpetually alive with performers such as positive rapper Mardymar and South African dance group Soweto Street Beat.
A motley of vendors and artists dotted the area around the park stage, from food trucks and artisan booths to clothing tents and accessory shops.
Tifton residents were treated to businesses from out of town stopping in for the festival, such as Hahira-based Kiah’s Desserts, and local names interested in supporting the community, as Chip Pate, owner of The Edge Axe Throwing and Sports Pub, did with his mobile throwing range bus.
“A friend of mine used to go to ABAC years ago and told me about this festival,” said Alicia Pinson, owner of Looks By Lisa, a women’s accessories vendor that participated in the festival. “So I’ve been looking forward to coming today.”
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Hughes said the festival was a resounding success, adding she is satisfied with the triumphant return of the event. But with the 2022 Arts in Black finished, everyone is eager to see what next year will bring.
“I’m all for supporting the community; so each year I’ll keep coming back, and, with this festival, keep expanding and keep growing,” said Robert Mitchell, an abstract artist who draws from African American history for his work. “I think it’s great for the community to come together and just enjoy some festivities.”
Hughes and other organizers have already begun planning the Arts in Black festival for 2023, adding they are eager to continue improving and building it up.
Hughes has already expressed interest in expanding the festival to the entire park, and in turn expanding the number of vendors, making the event even bigger than it was this year.
“I think (this festival) was one of the best festivals we’ve had in a very long time,” Hughes said. “The turnout was great, the participation of vendors was great. … It was just an absolute great day.”
