Wednesday
January 15th
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Syd Blackmarr Arts Center
Admission $75/person
Event Details and Registration:
Save the date—January 15, 2025—and join us for this transformative day at The Syd.
*Full details and agenda will be released soon.
Let’s reimagine the horizons of rural Georgia—united by purpose, grounded in history, and inspired by possibility.
Join Tifton Council for the Arts for Divergent Horizons, a dynamic symposium designed to explore the intersections of history, art, and contemporary challenges in rural Georgia. This event will use the power of art and conversation to address critical topics like community development, sustainability, and social equity.
About the Event:
The day’s discussions are inspired by a rare photographic exhibit on loan from the Georgia Museum of Agriculture, featuring the work of Lewis Hine. These evocative images, captured in 1909 for the National Child Labor Committee, include scenes from Tifton’s cotton mills. They tell the poignant story of children like Eddie Lou Young, immortalized in the exhibit, and serve as a springboard for addressing modern-day issues that continue to affect families and children.
This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with civic leaders, educators, and advocates dedicated to improving rural Georgia’s future. By examining the unspoken challenges of the past and present, we can forge pathways toward a brighter, more equitable tomorrow.
Speakers and Topics Include:
- Dr. Eric Larson, Professor of Rural Studies, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
- Addressing challenges in education.
- Prosperity in Rural Georgia
- Strategies for economic growth and equity.
- Cindy Evers, Alliance for Children
- Overview of Family and Children
- Mayor Julie Smith and
- Dr. Tonja Tift, City of Tifton
- Financial Literacy: Empowering families to build stability.
- Georgia Council for Rural Housing Development
- Tackling housing challenges.
- Georgia Department of Economic Development
- Insights into rural prosperity initiatives.
- Healthcare in Georgia: Exploring access and equity in rural areas.
- Panel Discussion: A collaborative exchange of ideas and solutions.
Special Features:
- Gallery Walk and Talk: Conclude the day with a reflective tour of the Lewis Hine exhibit, guided by experts who will share insights on the photographs and the stories they reveal.