Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden will host its annual nationally recognized two-day art festival, Finster Fest, on September 23 & 24, 2023, in Summerville, GA, in the historic, 4-acre art environment.
ADMISSION & PARKING
************************
General admission is $10 at the door (cash and credit cards accepted). Free parking is provided at the Walmart Super center on U.S. 27 just north of the Paradise Garden, with a complimentary 3-minute shuttle provided all day. Handicap parking is available at Paradise Garden. Well-behaved, leashed four legged friends are welcome at the festival.
VIP Patron tickets are also available! VIP perks include: admission for two visitors throughout the weekend, VIP parking on-site, $50 in Finster Bucks to spend with 60+ artists, and complimentary refreshments in the VIP Patron Hospitality Bungalow. PURCHASE YOUR VIP TICKETS HERE: https://museumgifts.square.site/.
For questions about Finster Fest, give us a call at 706-808-0800 or email us at finsterfest@paradisegardenfoundation.org!
MUSIC & ARTIST-AUTHOR TALK SCHEDULE
***********************************
Saturday, September 23
BIG TOP
12/Noon: Artist-Author Talk with Black Cat Tips (see details below)
1 PM: Jessee and the Boys
MEDITATION CHAPEL
11 AM – 12/Noon: David Childers
12:30 – 1:30 PM: Jason Lyles
2 – 3 PM: Jule & Cheyenne Medders
3:30 – 4:30 PM: Jeremy Wells
MOSAIC GARDEN
12/Noon: Golden Shoals
1:30 PM: Abe Partridge
3:00 PM: Yellow Dandies
Sunday, September 24
BIG TOP:
12/Noon: Artist-Author Talk with Abe Partridge (see details below)
1 PM: Muletide
2 PM: Jeneal Johnson, her sister Linda Hawkins, and her daughter Jackie Hammond
MEDITATION CHAPEL
11 AM – 12/Noon: Craig Wallin
12:30 – 1:30 PM: Clayton Jones
2 – 3 PM: Hunter Blaylock
MOSAIC GARDEN
12/Noon: Randy Steele
1:30 PM: Chattanooga Dogs
3:00 PM: Kindred Fire
VISITOR CENTER
2:30 PM: Artist Talk with Peter Loose about his exhibit at Paradise Garden, “Before and After Paradise”
ARTIST-AUTHOR TALKS
************************
Black Cat Tips, noon Saturday, September 23, under the Big Top
The Atlanta street artist on “How Folk Art Found Me,” a discussion that includes his children’s board book, “Smile a While,” tall tales and possibly a poem or song or three. Autographed books and art available afterwards.
Abe Partridge, noon Sunday, September 24, under the Big Top
The Mobile musician-artist discusses his rising career and his new art book “With Signs Following,” capturing, in this former preacher’s paintings and words, the Appalachian serpent-handling religious community. Autographed books and art available afterwards.
CHILDREN’S ART AREA
************************
Saturday, September 23 & Sunday, September 24
ART & LEARNING CENTER:
1-3 PM: Children’s Art Activities
FESTIVAL EATS
****************
• Chattooga Garden Club (famous pimento cheese sandwiches, sweet tea, and baked goods)
• Mosley’s BBQ (ribs and chicken with all the trimmings)
• Dirt Pour Coffee & Smoothie Bar (refreshing and energizing beverages)
EXHIBITING ARTISTS
**********************
*Feliciano Abaurre/El Gaucho Virgen (Georgia), pottery, @elgauchovirgen
*Renée Allie (Louisiana), mosaics and cyanotype (blue-print) photography, @malarkyartnola
Chris Allison (Georgia), paintings, @chickenfriedfolkart
Becky Altman (Georgia), paintings and fiber art, @beckysusanneshop
*Justin Atkin (South Carolina), paintings
James Barron (Alabama), paintings, @jamesbarron1120
Marshall Blevins/Church Goin Mule (Mississippi), paintings, @churchgoinmule
Jacob Boehne (Ohio), paintings, wooden cutout figures, @jacobboehne
Brian Bohanan (Alabama), paintings, @bohananfolkart
Christy Buchanan (South Carolina), paintings, @ownachristy
Rachel Campbell (Georgia), paintings, @recartworks
Jeff and Denny Carlisle (Tennessee), stained glass, found-object art, @rockhillrustics
Cayman K. (Ohio), paintings, 3-dimensional figures, @caymankart
*David & *Robert Childers (North Carolina), paintings, musicians, @robert_childers
Tex Crawford (Georgia), painted cut-metal and found-object sculpture, @tex_s_crawford
Kimberly Dawn Crowder (Tennessee), paintings, @kdcart
Kristin Davis (Georgia), landscapes and other paintings, @awkwardsoulq
Fawne DeRosia (Georgia), paintings, face jugs, @fawne
Charlie Dingler (Georgia), paintings, whirligigs, @dinglercharlie
Tony Dotson (Ohio), sculpture from vintage children’s toys and scraps, @tonydotson71
*Amy Durant (Georgia), paintings, @amydurantart
Dale “Breezy” Ellis & Marianne Talarick (Georgia), pottery
*Victor Ezquerra (Georgia), drawings
Candace Fincher (Georgia), nature-inspired art, @candace_fincher
Mandy Grant (Georgia), stained glass and pottery
Elizabeth Collins Hanes (Georgia), pottery, @chickentracksartranch
Chris Hubbard (Georgia), painted cut-metal sculpture
Mary Lou “Pixie” Jacquin (Illinois), prints, paintings, pottery
*Billy Keith (Kentucky), sun-burned drawings on wood with magnifying lenses, @solarburnbill
Jim Kopp (Wyoming), paintings, @jimkopp_
Lee Laney (Georgia), pottery and paintings, @lee.laney
C.M., Kelly & Ruby Laster (Kentucky), paintings, @charleslaster, @gracekellylasterart
Eric Legge & Michele Humphrey (Georgia), paintings, pottery, @ericleggeart, @leavesofclay
Will Linn (Georgia), paintings, @willlinnart
Little River Arts Council (Alabama), @littleriverartscouncil. Including: Lacy Hope Dobbs, paintings, @lacyhopeart; Kelly Farley, paintings, @lookoutmountaingoatranchoriginals; Susie Lawson, fabric art, @g8rgirl1963; and Mikel Yeakle, photography, @mikel_yeakle_photographer
Rik Long (Alabama), paintings with paint and mud
Peter Loose (Georgia), paintings, @petesartshop
Terran Joy McCanna (Georgia), jewelry, @kaiaghok
Bob McGill (Tennessee), paintings with razor blades
Scott McQueen (Alabama), paintings, @scottmcqueenfolkart
Brian Mengenthaler (North Carolina), found-object metal sculpture, @mergworks
Katherine Michael (Florida), paintings, @katherinemichaelfolkartist
Mountain Mama Farms (Georgia), farm-made products, @mountainmamafarms
Olivia Myers (Georgia), pottery, @omyersart
Abe Partridge (Alabama), paintings, @abepartridge
Ken Pease (Virginia), paintings, @tropicalzombies
Pilgrim F (New Jersey), hand-painted signs and cutouts, @artbrainonhugs
Kip Ramey (Georgia), paintings, @krameyart
Kristin Replogle (Georgia), paintings
Martha Sandlin (Georgia), mosaics, found-object sculpture
Celena Schoen (Georgia), pottery, @si_lena_shine
James Schroeder (Georgia), stenciled paintings, painted cutout figures, @jamesschroederart
Polly Sherrill (Georgia), pottery, @pollythepotter
Jim Shores (Georgia), found-object sculpture, @jimshoresart
Billy Smith (Georgia), paintings, @billytrelane
Mike Swafford (Georgia), paintings
Randy Tobias (North Carolina), pottery, @randallpaulpotter
Tom & Judy Touchstone (Georgia), pottery, clay necklaces, bracelets
*Patty Way (North Carolina), 3-D animal sculpture
*Teresa Wamble (Alabama), gourd art and paintings
(* = artists showing at Paradise Garden for first time)
Updated 9/11/23
