30 Years of Culture: The Economic Impact of the Wildlife Arts Festival
Festival Runs November 20-23, 2025
An underwriter enjoys early access to the Fine Art Show at the Preview Party—an evening of art, fine-food, and conversation.
Thomasville Center for the Arts, a dynamic non-profit located in the bustling, small town of Thomasville, Georgia pays annual tribute to a powerful idea—one that has evolved into a cherished tradition throughout the Southeast. This idea flourished and became the Wildlife Arts Festival—an event which celebrates the vital role of the arts in driving cultural vibrancy, shaping Southern identity and inspiring economic growth in the Southeast. It began in 1996 when esteemed business leader, philanthropist and devoted outdoorsman Bob Crozer teamed up with Louise Ireland Humphrey and her daughter, Margaret “Margo” Humphrey Bindhardt, both internationally admired for their contributions to the arts.
Young artists explore nature through Beguiled by the Wild, a fun, instructor-led workshop open to children of all skill levels.
Together, they imagined a festival that would celebrate the extraordinary land, legacy and sporting culture of the Red Hills Region. Their collective vision was to usher in an event that would guarantee a robust future for the arts in South Georgia and build a strong sense of community well-being and economic vibrancy.
This November marks the Wildlife Arts Festival’s 30th year of bringing together renowned artists, sponsors, collectors, and community members. Over the years, the festival has raised more than $5 million dollars—funds that directly support youth and adult programs at the Center for the Arts, where commitment to community, creativity and togetherness continues to thrive.
Canaan Marshall of Atlanta teaches Creative Covey, a floral design class available during the Festival.
While the festival was created to bring the Red Hills region to life through the eyes of artists, its economic impact is equally significant and cannot be understated. According to Americans for the Arts’ landmark economic impact study, Arts & Economic Prosperity 5, the nonprofit arts industry nationally generated $166.3 billion in economic activity in 2015—including $63.8 billion in organizational spending and an additional $102.5 billion in event-related expenditures by audiences. This cultural driver supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in revenue to local, state, and federal governments, emphasizing the arts not only as a creative force, but as a powerful driver of economic vitality.
As Thomasville Center for the Arts prepares for the Wildlife Arts Festival’s 30th iteration, there are exciting plans underway to continue its economic impact. From November 20-23, attendees will stroll through world-class exhibits, meet acclaimed international wildlife artists and immerse themselves in the magic of small town charm.
Nationally renowned artist, Kathryn Mapes Turner teaching students during the Wildlife Art Workshop.
“People enjoy this rich cultural experience, but the festival has a huge economic impact in the state of Georgia,” says Erin Wolfe Bell, executive director of Thomasville Center for the Arts. “Because of the caliber of the artists that come to this show, the festival attracts collectors, outdoor enthusiasts and attendees from outside the region and state, all of whom are supporting the local economy when they’re here.”
In addition to ticket sales, donations and sponsorships, 30% of art purchases directly support the Center for the Arts programming. The festival anchors the Center’s continued role in advancing the careers of wildlife artists, bringing world-class art to South Georgia, celebrating the region’s sporting heritage, supporting the local creative economy and expanding educational initiatives in Thomasville and beyond.
For more information on the 30th Wildlife Arts Festival and its cultural and economic impact on Georgia and the Southeast, visit thomasvillearts.org/wildlife.
