There’s something about an art fair that does my heart good.

It reaches me on a deep level and I have more than once found myself teary-eyed while trying to prepare my art tent. It’s the moment, the sense of community, the shared stories and experiences. It’s being around folks who are pursuing a passion with the whole of their hearts, who are reaching for a dream that is big and broad and maybe even slightly fuzzy. It’s looking in awe at the things that those folks create with their imagination and then hands, noticing all the details, seeing the public respond to the work and interact with the artist. It’s the oohhs and aahhs all around. It’s the validation. The assurance. It’s the art. Oh, the art!

On June 7th, it was also the history that made me sentimental as I participated in A Day in the Country Folk Art Fair for the first time.

A Day in the Country was a vision shared by Minnie and Garland Adkins in the 1980’s. They graciously opened their property, “Happy Gizzard Holler”, to area folk artists and invited collectors, community members, anyone with a love of folk and art and folk art to attend. In 2003, A Day in the Country had become so well-known and so well-attended that Minnie asked the Kentucky Folk Art Center in nearby Morehead, Ky to manage the event. In recent years A Day in the Country has been held the first Saturday of June in the Morehead Conference Center. Around 50 self taught artists are invited to bring their wares and display them for sale. Let me tell you, that day, the conference center was abuzz with creativity. And color. And a wonderful feast for the eyes and the soul. I loved the opportunity to meet artists I’ve admired for a long time. I loved being able to see new work and meet artists whose work just filled me with wonder! I loved being able to hug Minnie and see how sweet and helpful she was to all the participating artists. I loved getting to see her in her element, participating in the event she created, watching her vision grow.

I was proud to be able to experience that moment, even if the history and emotion of the day made me a little teary eyed.

I will never cease to be amazed at the ability of a piece of art. How it can alter your mood; how it can just reach inside your little chest and poke you in the heart, or fill you with delight, wonder, amusement, awe. I didn’t take nearly enough photos that day. And the photos will not do the actual pieces of art justice at all. But I wanted to share with you, in case you couldn’t make it, just what you missed at A Day in the Country. Make plans for next year!

The lady with the vision for A Day in the Country, Miss Minnie Adkins, displaying her carvings, quilts and books.

I can’t think of a better way to introduce your young ones to the world of folk art. These books, by Mike Norris and Minnie Adkins can be purchased from Acclaim Press or Amazon.

This stunning angel sculpture by artist, Tom Steck, was the first thing that caught my eye while setting up my booth. Tom’s pieces were stunning. I wish I had taken more photos before several of his larger pieces sold. If you have a chance to see his work in person, do it!

Tom’s wife Shelley creates amazing artwork as well. I loved these tambourines so much!

Wonderful pieces by Bruce New. He currently has a piece at the Kentucky Folk Art Center in Morehead, Ky. If you get a chance, go see it. I was taken with his artwork at the center and was happy to see his work at A Day in the Country.

Three generations of Kentucky artists…Bonita Skaggs-Parsons, daughter Misty Skaggs and mother, Joyce Skaggs.

My art dolls…just happy to be hanging out at A Day in the Country.

Me, agreeing to have my photo taken, but kinda hating it! What can I say, I’m bashful.

Steve Armstrong and his fantastic, moving sculpture.

Josh Huettig. The wood for his paintings is collected from the Ohio River, dried and painted with house paint. I love his color choices.

Tami Booher

Glen and Merlin Maynard. He carves, she paints.

Lonnie and Twyla Money

I am always so taken with Tim Lewis’ wood carvings. I like his color palette and the shiny surface of each piece.

I first encountered Robbie Mueller’s art at a Kentucky Guild art fair. I am a fan of his pieces. I loved the coal miner themed artwork he brought to A Day in the Country.

Billy Keith’s Solar Art is made with this large magnifying glass and the sun. He uses the sun’s intensified rays to burn images into pieces of wood. Watch a video of this amazing process.

A whole table full of Minnie’s critters and those famous roosters.

Thanks, Minnie!

(You can view more photos from A Day in the Country, here, on MSU’s flickr.)