Some of the buildings that surround the Courtyard of Wonders were originally gas stations. Studio artists built others over time; one had pink carpet paired with green walls and as recently as last year one was used for miscellaneous storage.
“Sometimes what they lack in newness and in fanciness they make up for in character,” Jan Pruitt, executive director of Kentuck, said. “There is nothing especially fancy here except the art itself.”
In 1971, on the hundredth anniversary of Northport, Kentuck started as the Northport Heritage Festival. Now, after 40 years, the non-profit organization Kentuck and The Kentuck Festival of Arts stand in Northport as an epicenter for art in west Alabama.
Named after the original settlement that stood in Northport, Kentuck’s goals come down to a three-part mission: to perpetuate the arts, to empower artists and to engage the community.
“[The mission] has not always been stated in just that way but I think that is the heart of Kentuck,” she said. “There is a long history of formal training in art and beautiful work being done because of that but Kentuck began with a real focus on folk ways.”
Georgine Clarke, the founding director of Kentuck, along with other locals such as Ellis Tear worked together to help turn the heritage festival into what Kentuck is known for today – a nationally recognized arts festival and a place where artists can come together and thrive.
“For Kentuck being Kentuck itself, Georgine Clarke is the person without whom this would not have happened,” Pruitt said. “She understood the importance of folk art in this area and all around and began to spotlight it.”
Now, after countless hours of volunteer work and money raised by the board, the buildings that surround the Courtyard of Wonders are used to help realize Kentuck’s goals.
They rent their studios to artists of all types at less than market price to give them an inexpensive place to work.
“One thing I’ve always liked about Kentuck is that it is so accessible,” Pruitt said. “We care about art, we care about people and we care about the two being exposed to one another.”
Besides the studios, Kentuck also houses two exhibitions each month and offers a shop for artists to sell their work as a way to bring the community and art together.
“We empower artists in that we are providing a place to sell their work,” Pruitt said.
On the first Thursday of every month, Kentuck’s courtyard and galleries host Art Night. Guests come together for fresh pizza made in the cobb oven, music and to celebrate the opening of the two new monthly exhibits. Art Night serves a small celebration of art throughout the year.
The Kentuck Festival of Arts serves as the biggest celebration of art held in west Alabama each year. The two-day festival, held the third October of each year, features more than 250 artists from around the United States. Last year, 12,000 people gathered in Kentuck Park for the festival that not only showcases artists but also musicians and local food.
“People come from around the corner and across the nation,” Pruitt said. “It’s a really special place.”
Throughout it’s history, Kentuck has brought national recognition to the city of Northport for its arts culture. It has been named in the 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America, listed as an “Authentic American Experience” by Time.com and has been named one of the Top Ten Arts Festivals by American Style magazine.
In celebration of their 40 years, Kentuck is currently hosting the “40 Days of Kentuck” blog and event, which started off with a 5K race and block party. Over the course of the 40 days the “40 Days of Kentuck” blog will feature artists or locals that have a special place in their hearts for Kentuck.
The Kentuck Festival of Arts will be held this weekend, Oct. 15 and 16, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Two-day passes, which are only available for advanced purchase, will be $15 and one-day passes, which can be purchased at the door or in advance, will be $10 each.
