top of page
How we were made:
"Spearheaded by Kimberly Riner, a respected local artist, curator, and educator, the Statesboro Festival of Arts is born from her visionary passion."
- Initial Press Release March 2024
Photos: Top: Kimberly Riner
Side: Requiem Ceramic Tapestry by Kimberly Riner
With the help of community leaders and our proud committee members, we began planning this new community festival in the winter of 2023. Today we have gathered support from our local government, visitors center, development authority, and more.
Founding Committee Members: Kim Riner, Robert Faller, Allen Muldrew, Elena McLendon, Dr. Anna Brady, Jason McCoy, Jeff Garland, Marcy Simmons, Becky Davis, Justin Samples, Shari Barr, Olympia Gaines, Landon Haralson
What do we stand for?
The mission of the festival is to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive arts community, fostering appreciation and understanding of traditional and contemporary artistic expression while driving positive economic impact in Statesboro and the surrounding regions. We aim to provide an accessible and enriching educational experience and create a platform where artists and audiences alike can explore and celebrate artistic diversity. We believe in creating a community that values and supports an enduring legacy that contributes to the evolution of Statesboro as a hub for the arts.
About the Festival
The festival is set to welcome artists hailing from across the nation. Entry will require a $15 application fee per submission, while booth reservations will be priced at $100 each. Artists will be allotted a 10x10 booth space, with the option to secure two booths if desired.
Our event is committed to catering to the needs of the visual artist. Convenient set up all day on Friday, ending with an Artist’s Reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres, adult beverages, and live music at the Averitt Center for the Arts campus in historic downtown Statesboro. Generous awards adding up to a total of $5000, booth sitters, shuttles to cars, low entry and booth fees are just some of our fabulous amenities for artists.
The Market at Visit Statesboro boasts a 7500 square feet facility with roll up garage doors and incredible view of the cultivated greenspace and picnic arras leading to a boardwalk and bridge that connects you to historic downtown Statesboro in just a short stroll. The Market will allow 30 vendors indoor space and the ample Visit Statesboro campus is a spacious paved lot for additional outdoor vendors, stage and more.
Entertainment will feature live music on a dedicated stage, including acoustic performances throughout the event.
*Admission to the Festival is free to the general public!
​
Festival Hours:
-
Friday, March 21, 9am-4pm- Artist set up; after hours set up available upon request
-
Saturday, March 22, 10 am-5 pm - open to the public
(Artists may complete set up 8am-10am) -
Sunday, March 23, 10 am-4 pm - open to the public
​
Festival Timeline
• Friday, March 21
o 9 am - 4 pm Artist check-in and register. Photo ID required at check-in.
o 6 pm - 8 pm SFA hosts artist reception at the Averitt Center.
• Saturday, March 22
o 10 am - 5 pm First day of festival.
o 10 am - 3 pm Judge visit booths to determine the award winners.
• Sunday, March 23
o 10 am - 4 pm Last day of festival.
o 4 pm - 6 pm Festival closes and artists breakdown and load-out.
What can I see at the Festival?
• 2-D and 3-D Mixed Media: Work created using more than one medium.
• Basketry: Functional, decorative, and/or sculptural work created from materials that are woven or plaited.
• Ceramics: Functional, decorative, and/or sculptural work created using clay and/or porcelain. Clay or porcelain jewelry will not be accepted in this category.
• Drawing: Work created using dry media such as pencil, charcoal, or chalk or made using fluid materials such as ink or washes that are applied by pen or brush.
• Fiber/Leather: Functional, decorative, and/or decorative work created using fiber and/or leather. Wall hangings, quilts, rugs, wearable items, belts, handbags and sculpture qualify if the primary materials used are fiber and/or leather.
• Furniture: Functional or decorative furniture.
• Glass: Functional, decorative, and/or sculptural work created using glass.
• Jewelry: Functional, decorative, and/or sculptural work created using precious and/or non-precious materials. Precious materials include but are not limited to 14K gold, sterling silver, precious stones, and enamels. Nonprecious materials include but are not limited to glass, ceramics, paper, fiber, wood, leather, polymer clay, and semi-precious stones.
• Metal: Functional, decorative, and/or sculptural work created using metals.
• Painting: Acrylic/Oil: Work created using acrylic or oil paint.
• Painting: Watercolor/Pastel: Work created using watercolors or pastels.
• Printmaking: Works created using traditional printmaking techniques that involve plates, stones, and/or screens. Artist produces each print as part of a limited edition series, using archival quality materials. Artist must sign and number each print. Artist must provide details about his or her technique and disclose his or her creative and printmaking processes.
• Photography/Digital Art: Work created using an artist's original photographic negative or work created from an artist directing or supervising the digital image process. Artist must use archival quality materials and print images in limited edition series, signing and numbering each image. Artist must provide details about his or her technique and disclose his or her creative and printing processes.
• Sculpture: Three-dimensional work created by assembling, firing, welding, molding, casting, carving, shaping or combining materials such as plastic, text, light, stone, rock, marble, metal, glass, or wood.
• Wood: Functional, decorative, and/or sculptural work created using wood. Work must be hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned, or carved.
Thank You Partners!
bottom of page