The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts has implemented changes to its Spring Into Art Exhibition on account of the COVID-19, by canceling its Spring Into Art Gala which draws more than 800 visitors in one evening and by adding safety precautions to the free public exhibition that draws in thousands over the six-week period. 

“Because we deeply care for the health and safety of our patrons, artists, members and other stakeholders, the Turner Center Board of Directors and staff have canceled the 2020 Spring Into Art Gala,” said Executive Director Sementha Mathews. “We realize so many of you look forward to this long-standing celebration of art each year, so we’ve taken the steps necessary to make this a uniquely different and enjoyable event within the safety parameters of our local community leadership and the COVID-19 guidelines.” 

On Monday, May 11, the Turner Center will open its doors free to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for patrons to view the more than 250 exquisite art works on display. At 5 p.m., the official announcement of the Spring Into Art Exhibition winners—representing more than $6,000 in cash prizes—will air via Facebook and at www.turnercenter.org. 

The exhibit will remain open for free public viewing during the Turner Center’s business hours from May 11 – June 24: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Center will be closed on Saturday and Sunday for the duration of the Spring Into Art Exhibition. 

For the patron’s enjoyment, a virtual tour of the beautiful galleries will also be available on the Turner Center website, along with a sales gallery that includes the hundreds of Spring Into Art works waiting to be purchased by art enthusiasts.

The Turner Center staff will follow safety precautions for the duration of the six-week Spring Into Art exhibition, including but not limited to the following: 

• The Center staff is committed to adhering to necessary sanitary procedures to maintain a clean and safe experience within the galleries.

• Until further notice, a limited number of people will be allowed into the galleries at one time and will be requested to wear a mask for the safety of others.

• Patrons will be allowed to enjoy all first-floor galleries and restrooms, all of which are sanitized regularly; however, no one will be permitted into any other areas of the Center.

• Patrons who need special assistance may contact the Center at 229-247-2787 to make those arrangements.

“The arts enrich our lives, communities and culture, and will also be instrumental in getting us back to a new normal,” said Mathews. 

For more information, visit www.turnercenter.org and follow the Turner Center on Facebook and Instagram.