The 'SOUL' of the Ozarks

Artisans Market on The Square to premiere at 2008 Arkansas Folk Festival

By Patsy Pipkin

LITTLE ROCK — Something new is blowing in the wind, through the valleys, and up and down the hills and curves in Stone County as Mountain View, known as The Mountain Music Capital of the World, is preparing for the 46th annual Arkansas Folk Festival.

As the town prepares for its largest event of the year, it is set to premiere the Artisans Market on The Square.

During the Folk Festival Weekend, Friday, April 18,through Sunday, April 20, more than 120 artisans from throughout the state will converge on Mountain View.

The Artisans Market on The Square will foster a revival of handmade arts and crafts in the area long known for its talented artists and expert craftsmen.

Mayor Jim Cash said, "Since the first of the year, we've been hit by a tornado, dug out of 11 inches of snow and survived a flood, and we're ready to celebrate our heritageagain in a big way. Many people have come together to make sure our first Artisans Market on the Square is a return to the old-time arts and crafts for which we are famous. We have great plans for visitors at the Arkansas Folk Festival this year, and the welcome mat is out."

The historic Stone County Courthouse Square, located in the center of town, has been the cornerstone of the Arkansas Folk Festival since its beginning in 1962, and this year is no exception. The square will have a pedestrian mall in the streets on its east and west side where 70 booths will showcase artisans featuring handmade traditional and contemporary crafts, fine arts and folk art. Food vendors will occupy the street north of the courthouse, and musicians will continue the tradition of making music on the courthouse grounds and elsewhere as the mood strikes.

Artisans will display for sale everything from baskets and brooms to candles and fine art. A complete list of artisans and their works is available at ArtisansMarketOnTheSquare.com. Only original works will be allowed, and all work has been approved by a committee comprising local organizations and the Arkansas Craft Guild, which is managing the event.

The Arkansas Craft Guild, established in 1962, has worked for months on this joint venture, a cooperative effort with the Mountain View Art Guild, the Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour, the Ozark Folk Fiber Guild, the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce and the City of Mountain View.

Wright Pillow, chairman of the Artisans Market Committee, said, "Music activities will continue throughout the day and into the night, and artisans are welcome to stay as long as they desire each evening. Official show hours for the artisans are 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, and 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 20.

"Mountain View is a large art and craft community, and we also have a gift of beauty that we feel must be shared with those who come to visit. The Folk Festival is an event in the central Ozark region that opens the tourist season each year. We invite the world to see the natural beauty and witness the creative life of those who have the privilege ofliving here. The Artisans Market on the Square is not an option, it is the essential tool by which we share the soul of this place. It is our heart, and we give it to the world.

Pillow said one of the reasons for the artisans market was a need to emphasize local art.

"Locals say that some vendor sales during recent years have degenerated into plastic imports, and this has resulted in disappointment being expressed by visitors who come to the area because of the original handmade crafts that have helped to make a visit to the Arkansas Folk Festival unique," he said.

There will be music not only on the square but in all of the theaters around town, as well as at the Ozark Folk Center. The Annual Folk Parade, always a highlight of Festival Weekend, will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. Well-known local basket maker Leon Jennings will serve as parade marshal.

Michalle Coon, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, said, "Our parade will be different this year. Its theme is "Going to Town," and we plan to show how hill folks ... went to town on Saturdays, dressed, met up with friends and stayed around for a barn dance on Saturday night."

The Ozark Folk Center will hold Open House with free admittance to the Craft Village and operate free shuttles to the Folk Center and back to town throughout all three days. Festival-goers are invited to ride the shuttle and visit the Craft Village where they will see demonstrations of traditional pioneer crafts, including pottery, soap making, quilting, a blacksmith at work, and much more.

Concerts featuring the best in traditional Southern mountain music will entertain in the Folk Center Auditorium Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-12. Those under age 6 are admitted free.

Maureen Skinner, office manager of the Arkansas Craft Gallery located on Main Street in Mountain View, said, "The Arkansas Craft Guild used to have shops in other towns, but now they have all been combined in this location in Mountain View. We have artists from throughout the state participating, exhibiting and bringing their work to the Artisans Market on the Square."

Three Rivers, Pages 117, 120 on 03/30/2008