Alachua County Arts Council’s 5th Annual Artists Conference

The City of Gainesville’s Cultural Advisory Board and The Historic Thomas Center are co-hosting the Alachua County Arts Council’s 5th Annual Artists Conference on Friday, April 24, 2026, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in the Spanish Court. The Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG) will be featured in Session 10 in the afternoon.

Between 3:05 pm and 3:45 pm, WAG President Debbie Miller will introduce seven WAG authors who will present original short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry inspired by the theme “Where Nature and Culture Meet.” The works by Susie Baxter, Jenifer Dearinger, Debbie Miller, Mallory M. O’Connor, Rob Rogers, Allen Stewart, and Wendy Thornton will reflect on landscapes, lived experience, and cultural identity, illuminating the deep connections between us and the natural world.

Other conference topics will include topics such as Legal Protections for Artistic Creations, Arts Engagement as a Health Behavior: Framework, Emerging Evidence and Insights, Hacking into Your Value Story, and Creating and Implementing a Successful Festival. Interactive arts activities will be on hand.

For the full program, go to https://tinyurl.com/Arts-Council-AC and scroll down to:

Artists Conference

• 2026 Artists Confer​ence ​- Registration Form​​
• 2026 ​Artists Conference Schedule

​Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided in The Thomas Center’s beautiful gardens, but reservations are needed. To register, sign up here: https://alachuacountybocc.jotform.com/form/artists-conference-register-2026