Colquitt is noted for being the home of Georgia’a Folklife Play, Swamp Gray. For 18 years Colquitt/Miller Arts Council has produced a new play based on the stories of the community. This year’s play, opening the first week-end in October, is called The Big Picture. It is the the stories behind the stories of the 17 beautiful murals that bring public art to the downtown square. The quality of these murals has earned Colquitt the designation as Georgia’s First Mural City. For four week-ends in October and March audiences will thrill to the stories, music and peformance of the volunteer actors. People travel from a 400 miles radius, north of Atlanta, south of Tampa, west to the Gulf Coast and all over Georgia to attend.
On Oct 26-29, Colquitt will be hosting the Global Mural, Arts and Cultural Tourism Conference. This Conference, which began in Chemainus, British Columbia, has never been held in the Eastern United States. In 2006, we traveled to Sheffield, Tasmania, to attend, and in 2004 it was held in Prestongrange, Scotland. The host committee expects people from many communities in the world. How do you say “You’all” in 7 languages?We’re practicing, we’re practicing.
Mayhaw, Colquitt’s variety show, a take-off on the old Hew-Haw show opened this weer-end. We love to laugh, especially at ourselves. Local talent impersonate county music stars and sing, not lip sync, everyone’s favorites. Dolly, Patsy, Tammy as well as Kenny and Willie are present. What fun!
I can’t forget to mention the JO-KA-RA film studio, the largest Sound Stage in Georgia, Florida or Alabama. Ralph Wilcox, a 30 year Hollywood actor, had a dream of making movies in rural Georgia. Ralph has completed the first movie, Hope and Redemption, the Lena Baker Story which will be released in the Fall.
Anyone wanting to participate in Swamp Gravy, Mayhaw, the Youth theatre, Movie making,script writing, acting, storytelling, story gathering or Art creation is welcome to join in.
Colquitt has created a Cultural Tourism industry which brings economic benefits to the community. But more importantly, the local citizens, adults and children, develop talents, skills, knowledge and appreciation as they give back to their community. Thus the human spirit thrives and grows.
