If you have visited an art museum or attended an art festival, you may have been captivated by a piece of artwork. Perhaps it transported you to a different time and place or encouraged you to think about a topic or concept from a different perspective. 

These moments of connection are no accident. But have you ever wondered how these captivating pieces make their way into museums or festivals?

Typically, displayed artwork is selected by a curator or a judge based on a theme or a particular set of criteria. For example, judges may focus on conceptual aspects, such as the underlying message or the purpose behind a piece. They may also look at aesthetics, such as color and composition choices, and evaluate the execution, or how the artist chose to create the artwork. The discerning eye of the curator or judge is what transforms an exhibit or festival into an unforgettable experience!

In March 2025, the Averitt Center for the Arts, alongside community partners, will host the inaugural Statesboro Festival of the Arts. The SFA is a juried art festival, which means that artists will go through an acceptance process in order to showcase their work. Two highly respected art professionals will serve as the jury: Erin Dunn and Christine Patterson. 

Dunn, currently an assistant curator at the Telfair Museum in Savannah, has extensive experience as a curator, with prior positions at the Georgia Museum of Art in Athens and the Michael C. Carlos Museum in Atlanta. She will also serve as the SFA judge, selecting artists who will receive awards. Patterson is an alternative and mixed-media fine art photo impressionistic artist living in Charleston, South Carolina. In addition to creating art, she also serves as a private art coach and teaches creative workshops. 

The SFA will take place at the Market at Visit Statesboro on  Saturday,  March 22, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., and Sunday, March 23, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. In addition to artwork by talented artists, attendees will enjoy live music and local food trucks.