Tifton Opens Arts in Black Fest

APRIL 20, 2018

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126

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TIFTON'S AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE & ARTS FESTIVAL

OPENS TONIGHT

The 32nd annual Arts in Black Festival, a celebration of African-American heritage and art, kicks off today and runs through Saturday in Tifton.

The festivities begin 7 p.m. today (Friday) with the annual Talent Show at the Tift Theatre for the


Tamisha Blackshear, left, told Tifton Rotarians on Wednesday about this weekend's Arts in Black festival. At right is Rotary President Shaundra Clark.

Performing Arts in Downtown Tifton. Pupils from elementary schools up to college students will perform.

Entertainment for the talent show will be provided by the Tift County High School Jazz Ensemble and Zone 3. Felicia Howard is the emcee.

The Arts in Black Festival has a full day of activities Saturday at Fulwood Park, beginning with the opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. A Dancer's Pointe performance is at 11 a.m., followed by the poetry competition from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the main stage. Musical entertainment includes the Essence Band from 2-3 p.m., and Harold E. Thomas & Danger Zone, 3-6 p.m.

Art exhibits will be set up along with arts and crafts, and food vendors. There also will be children's activities.

The Arts in Black festival was first held in February 1986 on the J.T. Reddick School campus.

FOUNDATION BUYS 1,000 ACRES FOR 'TEACHING FOREST'

The ABAC Foundation has purchased 1,000 acres of timberland to create the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College's first "teaching forest."

The Foundation Board of Directors has "purchased this timber tract about 10 miles from campus for


Bridges speaking Thursday at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon at ABAC.

a much-needed forest for our School of Agriculture and Natural Resources," ABAC President Dr. David Bridges announced at the conclusion of the recent 61st annual Southern Forestry Conclave held on campus.

Bridges also repeated the announcement Thursday at the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at ABAC.

Bridges, the longest serving active president in the University System of Georgia, said that agriculture continues to be the leading industry in Georgia. He believes the new forest will allow the college to continue to grow.

"ABAC has made tremendous commitments to our agriculture and natural resources programs in recent years," Bridges said. "We will continue to do so because agriculture and forestry are Georgia's leading industries. Our commitment is for ABAC to be the leading provider of human capital to work, lead and grow these industries."

Paul Williams, ABAC's vice president of external affairs and an ABAC Foundation trustee, said the "acquisition of this teaching forest will greatly enhance forestry and wildlife education at ABAC, which will subsequently benefit Southwest Georgia, the state of Georgia and the entire Southeastern United States."


	Dr. Pierzchajlo at sculpting conference.

TIFTON'S

DR. PIERZCHAJLO ATTENDS 'SCULPTING' COSMETIC CONFERENCE

Tifton doctor Richard Pierzchajlo recently returned from another world-class cosmetic conference, "Sculpting for Surgeons."

Dr. Pierzchajlo frequently travels all over the world to train with industry-leading physicians, bringing his expertise back to Tift County.

"I loved the experience of sculpting, the expertise required to mold a face and body demand an attention to detail equivalent to surgery" said Dr. Pierzchajlo. The sculpting course lasted a week with full cadaver dissections on the final day.


Dr. Pierzchajlo with his sculpture.

"It's rare to have the opportunity to inject and then scrutinize my work from the inside and out," he said. "Sessions like this not only improve my skill but take it to the next level in a way that you could never achieve just by reading medical journals."

The "Sculpting for Surgeons" course was taught by Dr. Peter Schmid, a prominent plastic surgeon and professional sculptor. Only 12 cosmetic surgeons from across the United States were invited to attend this course which was held at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art in Boulder, Colo.

Dr. Pierzchajlo has a special interest in facial anatomy and body sculpting in his role as a cosmetic physician. Sculpting enables him to help patients achieve their ideal cosmetic proportions and obtain optimal results at Solé Medical Spa in Tifton.

OCILLA STUDENT WINS MR. ABAC

Landon Rowe, a junior writing and communication major from Ocilla, was recently crowned Mr. ABAC 2018 during a competition at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

"It was fun to participate in a friendly competition with so many great guys at ABAC," Rowe


	MR. ABAC: LANDON ROWE

said of the contest which was held for the first time since 2014. The event was revived by the Ag Business Club and Ag Communicators of Tomorrow.

The night began when the curtain revealed 15 contestants dancing to "Wild West." Each contestant was ranked by three judges in four categories, including a formal walkout, an on-stage question-and-answer session, an individual essay and a personal interview.

"There was only one rehearsal, and it was the night before the contest," Rowe said. "It was a little chaotic because we all had to learn a line dance, and none of us had any dancing experience."

Sponsored by the ABAC Ambassadors, Rowe also received the award for "Most Likely to be Famous."

"I would like to thank all my friends and family that came to support me," Rowe said. "I would have felt like a winner that night regardless of the outcome with all the support I had. I would like to especially thank all of my fellow ABAC Ambassadors who sponsored me in the contest."

Rowe received a plaque and was crowned with a rhinestone-encrusted cowboy hat by Shannon Kehoe, the reigning Ms. ABAC.

HAVE 'A DAY IN THE WOODS' ON SATURDAY

"A Day in the Woods" -- a day of free forest, wildlife and craft activities, begins at 1 p.m. this Saturday, April 21, at the Gaskins Forest Education Center, 3359 Moore Sawmill Road, Alapaha.

Following the activities from 1-5 p.m., is a bring-your-own food cookout from 5-7 p.m.; a nature walk, 7-9 p.m.; and an astronomy event, 9-10:30 p.m.

This is the fourth year of this non-commercial community event. There will be more than 30 activities related to forestry, wildlife, and traditional crafts and history are scheduled, including archery, fishing, tree identification, animal print identification, native plant identification, paper making, basket making, pine-cone bird feeders and wildlife calls.

For information, contact Heather Brasell, 229-339-3966, heather.brasell@gmail.com

Bicyclists prepare for the Tour de Tifton at the YMCA's Westover Road complex.

TOUR de TIFTON BIKE RIDE A SUCCESS

The Tiftarea YMCA's 9th Annual Tour de Tifton/Ilse Boyette Memorial Charity Bike Ride last Saturday was another success for the YMCA.

More than 170 riders from across Georgia and Florida came out to raise funds for YMCA programs and scholarships for underprivileged youth, and for the book fund for Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College nursing students in memory of the late nurse and bicyclist Ilse Boyette.

Cyclists traveled more than 200 miles of routes, which included a beginner's 11-mile course, intermediate level 25- and 45-mile, and 62- (metric century) and 100-mile century routes for advanced riders.

Some of the local riders in last weekend's Tour de Tifton Bike Ride.

UGA TIFTON SENIOR NAMED STUDENT MVP

University of Georgia Tifton campus senior Kelly Paulk has been named the campus' Student MVP. The agriscience and environmental systems major from Inaha will be recognized at spring graduation April 29.

Paulk was selected because of her professionalism and participation in service activities, which are required for a qualified Student MVP award candidate, says George Vellidis, academic


	KELLY PAULK ~ UGA TIFTON STUDENT MVP

programs director at UGA Tifton.

Paulk maintains a 3.8 GPA and was recently selected as the outstanding AES senior for the 2017-2018 school year. She has conducted three undergraduate research projects and made scientific presentations on campus, at the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity Conference and at Sunbelt Agricultural Expo Field Day.

She has worked on commercial farms and as a student worker. She is a member of several student clubs and professional organizations, including Collegiate FFA, Agriculture Business Club and the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' ambassador program.

"Not only has she committed herself to the UGA Tifton campus, she has also committed herself to community service, which is part of her daily life," Vellidis said. "Paulk was an excellent candidate."

The Georgia Cotton Commission sponsors the UGA Tifton Student MVP award and will provide Paulk with a $750 scholarship. Her name will be added to a plaque, located in the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory building on campus, that includes the names of past Student MVP award winners.

After graduation, Paulk plans to attend graduate school to fulfill her dream of becoming a UGA Cooperative Extension county agent.

Paulk's father, John Paulk, is a senior agricultural specialist and farm manager for the Tifton Vegetable Park and Hort Hill Farm at UGA Tifton.

HERE'S THE BEEF: "Chuck," a fiberglass cow to be used in educational programs for grade-school students as part of ABAC's Destination Ag program, was presented this week. Donations from the Georgia Cattlemen's Association Foundation, Georgia Beef Board and Georgia Cattlewomen's Association allowed the purchase of "Chuck," who displays various beef cuts. ... SENIOR DANCE: The Tifton SELF group (Seniors Enjoying Life Forever) is hosting a dance today, Friday, April 20, at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center. Doors open at 6 p.m., and participants are asked to bring a dish of of their favorite food for dinner.

'Chuck' is donated to Destination Ag by the Georgia beef and cattle industry.

TEXTILE ARTIST'S WORK TO BE

ON DISPLAY AT TIFTON GALLERY

The work of Atlanta textile artist will be on display at Tifton's Plough Gallery beginning this Saturday, April 21, from 5-8 p.m.

Jones reimagines traditional quilting with modern design and applique.

In her series "TopoQuilts," she uses discarded quilts found at thrift stores and overlays the topography of the area using hand-dyed silk organza and reverse applique.

She writes in her artist statement: "Through spoiling these original quilts I preserve them, and my work is a way of feeling connected in a city that does more to separate than connect us."

In another series, "Wind Quilts," Jones stitches wind maps, such as the jet stream and wind prediction directions in and around Atlanta, onto her fabric. She borrowed elements of drawing and quilting to create them. The day and time of the chosen wind data, she writes, was insignificant and "barely perceived." She was interested in capturing the futility of fleeting, evolving moments.

She is currently assistant professor of textiles at Georgia State University in Atlanta, as well as an affiliate faculty member with the Institute of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies.

Her work will be shown at the gallery on Eighth Street for approximately a month.

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YOUR WEEKEND

. ..at a Glance

FRIDAY, APRIL 20

Special Olympics, 9 a.m., E.B. Hamilton Recreation Complex, Tifton
'SELF" Senior Dance , 6 p.m., Leroy Rogers Senior Center, Tifton
Arts in Black Talent Show, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Tifton

SATURDAY, APRIL 21

Champions of Hope Sporting Clay Tournament, 8 a.m., Green Lakes Hunting Club, Irwin County
Wiregrass Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-Noon, Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton
Arts in Black Festival, 10:30 a.m., Fulwood Park, Tifton
Fair Housing Event, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Tifton Mall, Tifton
A Day in the Woods, 1 p.m., Gaskins Forest Education Center, Alapaha
'Multiple Routes' quilt art exhibit, 5-8 p.m., Plough Gallery, Tifton