By By Bianca Moorman

Copyright postandcourier

She creates her artwork on an acrylic base and starts pulling it together from there.

“I believe a woman is a boss if you see their smile, style, and their crown, which is their hair,” she said. “That is our power, that is our beauty, that is where we derive our ethnicity from, and I just like to celebrate our hair.”

Aiken resident Samantha Hamrick was at the festival with her daughter, Rosemary, who is also an artist. Hamrick worked as a nurse for about 10 years before deciding to pursue art full-time.

“For me, the art is actually a way to protect my own mental health,” she said. “This is like my brain on paper.”

Other vendors showcased a wide range of handmade goods.

Allyssa Blair, with Creative Crochet, displayed scarves, socks, cover-ups, purses and bikini tops. She began crocheting in college, starting with cold-weather apparel before expanding her work over the years.

Blair, who works as a seamstress, returned to the festival for the first time since 2019. She said the event is a great way for artists to connect with one another and for the community to show support.

“If you are an artist, especially in Augusta, apply to Arts in the Heart to get good exposure,” she said.

Julie Leopard, from Augusta, mostly makes her items from older clothing and brings them back to life with bags and aprons. She said she remembers when the event was held near the city’s municipal building.

Julie Leopard, of Augusta, mostly makes her items from older clothing and brings them back to life. Some of these upcycled creations include bags and aprons. She recalled when the festival was held near the municipal building years ago.

“This is a really large crowd for this event,” Leopard said. “Plus the culture, the food, the music – everything is good.”