Atlanta Arts category interest

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival gets underway Friday as it returns to Broad Street.

Set-up started Tuesday morning at the Augusta Common.

This year thanks to a tourism grant, the festival is hosting big headline artists.

The Greater Arts of Augusta Council says headlining performers include Grammy-nominated jazz performer Georgia Muldrow, who’ll be performing Friday at 7 p.m. on the Jazz Stage. Her “Overload” album was nominated for a 2020 Grammy.

As a professional photographer and documentary producer, Mark Albertin has been plugged into the Augusta art scene for years.

“People don’t realize we have a huge art community here. We have a lot of things going on. We have potters here, we have painters, we have dance, we have music, we have so much happening. And the exciting thing about it is it’s a chance for us to appreciate the arts here in Augusta this coming weekend, with arts in the heart,” said Albertin.

The festival will also feature platinum-selling Austin alternative-rock band Fastball on the Global Stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Fastball chart-topping hits include “The Way” and “Out Of My Head.”

Ticket sales are soaring, and leaders are projecting more than 100,000 to be there this weekend.

“It has been going on for decades, and it just continues to grow and grow. It’s just a wonderful opportunity to showcase our local arts community and our many cultural communities as well. It really just showcases Augusta in a great and fantastic way,” said Jennifer Bowen, the vice president of Destination Development and Community Engagement at Destination Augusta.

They also say it’s creating a big impact for downtown Augusta.

The festival will feature more than 150 juried fine arts and crafts creators this year, with artists coming from all over the United States.

“Each year we see that the Arts in the Heart festival actually generates about a little more than a million dollars this year. We are estimating that it might bring about $1.6 million in direct economic impact. A lot of that really is for people who are locals, who are coming to spend their money,” said Bowen

Locals like Albertin come for a taste around the world which leaves them coming back for more.

“You come here and it’s like, my God, the smells are everywhere. You smell these different things. Like, what is that cooking? I have to try that,” he said.

“This says downtown Augusta. It’s where it is, where it belongs. It brings people down here and you learn about other businesses that are down here,” said Albertin.

Five stages of nonstop entertainment include everything from hip hop to jazz to rock. This year, Augusta will be featured as a Music City.

The large family area will be packed with interactive children’s activities, street performers, public art and a young artists market. Atlanta puppeteer Lee “That Puppet Guy” Bryan will be a featured performance on the Family Stage.

Artzilla returns with local artists painting live all weekend.

The authors’ lounge also will return with Georgia authors and book signings.

Admission is good for the entire weekend. Badges at the gate are $20.

Pets and coolers are not allowed.

Lawn chairs are welcomed at the rain-or-shine event.

Some side streets have closed down for the festival.

Others roads closed include 8th and 9th streets from Ellis to Broad street and more.

Then starting on Friday one lane of Reynolds Street will be closed from 8th to 9th street.

The festival starts Friday at 5 p.m. and ends on Sunday at 7 p.m.