Old Courthouse art show back for 38th time

It’s the time of year for outdoor activities to abound on weekends. This Saturday and Sunday area residents will mingle with artists from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New York and Tennessee at the 38th annual Old Courthouse Art Show in downtown Fayetteville.

The two day event is sponsored by the Fayette County Art Association. For anyone who thinks this annual event is just another in a string of craft shows, think again. Over 75 artists will be gathered at the Courthouse Square with their work. Visitors will be treated to a variety of art medias including watercolor, oils, pottery, weaving, jewelry, cast paper, glass, photography, woodworking, clay and metals.

Fayette County artists who will be in attendance include: Scott Ash (photography); David Aven (photography); Joyce Corbin (jewelry); Miles Davis (painting); Richard DeWalt (folk art wood); Keith Edmonson (wood carving); Society of Fine Arts (various); Gail Jensen (jewelry); Sherry Mitcham (colored pencil portraits); Ellen Sloan (photography); Billie Walburn (pottery); and David Wells (photography).

Marc Stewart, the internationally known, award-winning aviation artist and resident of Newnan, Ga., will be on hand exhibiting and selling his original paintings and limited edition prints. Many of Stewart’s prints are autographed by famous flying Aces & Pilots of WWII.

New York artist Laura Loving returns to her Southern roots to exhibit her paintings, prints and art objects as part of a five-city art tour she has dubbed “Laurapalooza.” Loving, who is originally from Fayetteville, Ga., will be at booth No. 11 on Saturday and Sunday. Painting with oil enamel on canvas, Loving has developed a distinctive style consisting of bold lines, dramatic surface patterns and pure color that result in vibrant paintings with a certain poetic energy.

Along with the many talented professionals, there will be an ongoing display of artwork from Fayette County elementary, middle and high schools. Art scholarships will be awarded to four high school seniors and presented Saturday at 2 p.m. on the Courthouse steps.
This year’s art show will include an interactive Kids Kraft Korner which will include storytelling, face painting, bracelet making, flower pot decorating, a performance stage and more. Entertainment will be provided this year on the performance stage with Irish dancers, bands, orchestras, musical skits and the Fayette Idol winners.

Across the street at the Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum, “A Taste of Living History” exhibit invites the community to walk through a Civil War camp site and watch the soldiers perform rifle drills, view hand-sewn quilts displayed throughout the museum, make rope and shell corn using an old-fashioned turn wheel, watch how an old forge is used to create every day, marvel as Georgia clay is at its finest thrown on an old kick wheel, learn how to weave on an antique loom used for making rag rugs, observe depictions of local historical events throughout the museum, listen to songs from yesteryear and learn how to make a violin
and have a picture taken in a cut-out of Scarlett’s “picnic” dress. Tour the museum at a special rate of $2. The Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum is located at 150 Lanier Ave. West.

In addition to the art show, other weekend activities around the square include a Fayette Library book sale on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Civitan’s 5K Road Race, food vendors and The Harmony Brothers Barbershop quartet on Saturday.

The show will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. Contact Debi Lenox at 770-487-5415 or Patsy Gullett at 770-461-4978 for additional information.

Food lovers will also congregate around the courthouse Sunday and sample a variety of delicious tastes dished up by local restaurants and caterers. Last year thousands of attendees sampled the wares of the participating restaurants. This year huge crowds are expected to return to the square for a fun-filled afternoon.

“Tastes” are available from .50 cents $3 and may be purchased with tokens that are available at the ticket booths. Attendees will be able to taste from a variety of types of restaurants and business’s including Mexican, Italian, Caribbean, deli sandwiches and subs, pizza, ice cream and deserts.

The event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Parking is available at Stonewall Village as well as other designated downtown parking areas. The Taste takes place concurrently with the Old Courthouse Art Show.

The Taste of Fayette is sponsored by Fayetteville Main Street and is just one of the many events slated for 2006. For further information about Main Street happenings, visit www.downtownfayetteville.org or call Main Street at 770-719-4173.

login to post comments