The 2024 All Hands Art Festival, an art festival and juried competition, returns to Macon this year from Friday, September 20th through Sunday, September 22nd. 

This family friendly event will include demonstrations, live music, an Art Olympics, and will take place in the large parking lot across from Fall Line Brewing Co.

Skilled and creative artists will create unique artworks out of clay, glass, metal, and wood and present their work and demonstrate their craft at the festival. They will also face off in the festival's Art Olympics competition where 3D artists will compete against each other in technical challenges.

Handcrafted and colorful artwork from Heidi Clinite at the Ember Maypop Shop was on display at the festival last year (Photographer Nate Weeks)

The All Hands Art Festival will start on Friday, September 20th with a VIP Party at The 567 Center, the community space and art gallery in Downtown Macon that presents the unique event each year. Musician James Worsham will perform at this party.

On, Saturday, September 21st from 12 until 6 p.m. there will be demonstrations from gifted artists like Kiefer Robinson (flameworking from 1 - 3 p.m.), Heidi Clinite and Gary Blackburn (pyrography from 2-4 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. respectively), as well as the Pottery Olympics (from 12-2 p.m.) and the Glass Olympics (from 2:30-3:30 p.m.). 

The talented and entertaining musician Dean Brown (of Dean Brown and Dubshak) will perform from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and singer, guitarist, and songwriter Justin Cutway will perform from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Emily Burm. of Pink Tiki Glass Designs drove from Florida to attend last years All Hands Art Festival (Photographer Nate Weeks)

On Sunday, September 22nd from 12 until 5 p.m. there will be more demonstrations, with Cameron Claxton (glass blowing) and Colin Penndorf (wood carving) and Butterfly Forge Pottery by Johnnie Skelton and Kayla Samuel (blacksmithing) from 2 until 4 p.m. Then the festivals Arts Olympics will take place from 12 to 4 p.m., with the winners being announced at 4 p.m. 

Fresh Produce Records with DJ Willie D will be entertaining the crowds from 12 to 2 p.m. and songstress Kelley Dixon will be captivating attendees from 3 to 5 p.m.

For more information about the All Hands Arts Festival or The 567 Center for Renewal call (478) 238-6051 or e-mail Mellisa Macker at melissa@the567.org.

Some of the artists, like Bryan Beck of stARTup Studios, presented their best modeling poses during last year's festival (Photographer Nate Weeks)