11 Sep “Festival People” Created by AU Art Students at Arts in the Heart 2026
Art Students with the Augusta University Department of Art and Design have been working hard to create “Festival People” that will further immerse festival patrons in the Arts at the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Fetival. Throughout the event, you will discover a series of colorful sculptural installations created through a collaborative project with the AU.
Led by Professor Brian Rust, the project brings together students from several artistic concentrations to create painted silhouettes. The tradition of Festival People was originally developed by local artist Rhian Swain. These installations can be seen as a nod to Swain’s work and will be perfect photo opportunities for arts lovers of all ages.
Soon, these rough cut outs will be primed and painted, ready for installation at the 2026 Festival.
These life-sized figures celebrate the people who make Arts in the Heart what it is; from patrons and volunteers to performers, cultural groups, and artists. With four scattered throughout the festival grounds, these installations create playful moments of discovery while honoring the creativity, community, and diversity at the heart of the festival.
While you stroll the festival, see if you can spot them all!
