Every year “American Style” magazine names its top 10 fairs and festivals associated with American crafts. Festivals mentioned come from all over the country, from New Hampshire to Texas. But one is within reach of all Alabama students, tucked away in Northport across the Black Warrior River.
This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the Kentuck Festival of the Arts. On Oct. 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. of each day, art enthusiasts will have the chance to browse the work of more than 250 folk and contemporary artists.
Attendees can purchase two-day passes in advance for $15 or buy single-day passes at the festival for $10. Children under the age of twelve may enter free of charge.
Clay, glass and metal are just a few of the artistic media that will be displayed at Kentuck.
“It’s a celebration of art,” said Jan Pruitt, Executive Director of the Kentuck Art Center. “The festival is one of the important ways the [Kentuck] museum fulfills its mission of perpetuating the arts, empowering artists and engaging the community.”
Pruitt believes attendees will immediately feel involved as they enter the festival. As people trickle through the gates, they may be drawn toward the warmth of Sam Cornman’s torch. Cornman is one of several demonstrating artists who will perform his craft for the live festival audience. His specialty is blown glass.
“I’ll be doing flame work, making ornaments, jellyfish figurines and goblets,” Cornman said. “I may go on a whim and try something new; and, of course, I’ll blow some bubbles for the kids.”
As they venture farther into Kentuck, visitors may pass booths A21 and A22 where they’ll find a family of artists. Pat and Suzanne Juneau have been making crafts together for almost 40 years and have participated in Kentuck for 25 years. Pat, a metal worker, creates painted steel sculptures; his wife, Suzanne, specializes in jewelry.
“We’ve got metal all figured out,” Pat said.
Artists like Cornman and the Juneaus are continuing the rich artistic tradition that brought Kentuck into the national spotlight. Started by founding director Georgine Clarke, the festival was originally a show seeking to buoy Southern folk artists—such as Mose Tolliver—onto a bigger stage.
“Clarke brought these artists out of the wilderness,” Pat Juneau said. “She made them famous.”
As visitors delve deeper into the world of Kentuck’s present-day artists, they may meet Yvonne Wells, whose quilts will be displayed at booth H46. Wells, a folk artist from Tuscaloosa, probably most indentifies with Kentuck’s mission of “engaging the community.” She’s specifically interested in healing the community. Wells is participating in “Beauty Amid Destruction,” a project that places art in neighborhoods damaged by April’s tornadoes.
“Different artists are using different forms to help uplift the mood of those who have been affected by the devastation,” Wells said.
Kentuck, the organization, has done its part too. From May until August of this year, Kentuck auctioned off artists’ donated works at their monthly “Art Nights.” All of the proceeds went to the United Way of West Alabama’s disaster relief fund.
Kentuck’s leadership and artists believe community events, like the festival, bode well for Tuscaloosa in the wake of the destruction.
“We’ve been able to serve as a gathering point for those people who have been affected [by the destruction],” Pruitt said. “The festival will offer another chance for people to come together. I think it will be a cathartic experience for many people.”
“A large turnout of people will definitely help support the town,” Cornman said.
The festival will offer attendees more than just a buffet of visual art. Musicians’ sounds exuding from two different stages will serenade the weekend’s crowds. Smells and tastes of Southern and ethnic foods will satisfy the weekend’s appetites. Whatever Saturday and Sunday hold, one former Kentuck attendee will be happy to take in the experiences shoulder-to-shoulder with her community.
“This is the year for students to go show their support,” said Elizabeth Allison, a senior majoring in finance. “We can forget about the past few awful months as we celebrate some truly remarkable art.”
