One-stop Shopping for Unique, Authentic Americana… The 30th Annual Autumn Country Folk Art Festival

ST. CHARLES, IL. (Sept. 20, 2012 ) – See John Bachman create a shapely Shaker box. Watch Jim Van Hoven build a Windsor chair. See Will Moses new ``Butterfly Meadow’’ painting. Discover the perfect funky new Halloween décor and a unique Christmas ornament or two.

The 30th Annual Country Folk Art Festival offers something for every shopper –items not found elsewhere. It is Sept. 21, 22 and 23 at Kane County Fairgrounds Robinson Hall. As exciting as any of the trendy high-end ``pop up’’ markets showing up on Chicago’s Mag Mile, it is a juried showcase of the ingenious work of some of America’s finest creative artisans – all acknowledged as experts in their fields. The show has long been considered one of the finest of its types in America.

The Country Folk Art Festival is produced by Robin Reed, Art of the Heartland, Inc. who acquired the show in 2011 from Lee and Judy Marks who founded it in 1982.

A sampling of its artists includes Tony Costanza who is widely known for his clever wood carvings; Alan Baker who produces whimsical gourd sculptures; John and Debbie Wiles who take gourd art to another level,  fashioning them into lampshades, vases, relief carvings and filigree work; Nick Engelhardt with Americana style paintings and prints;and Mary Harman-May’s charming hand-woven baskets.  Rebecca Phillips brings penny rugs, floorcloths and painted boxes, Kathy Roller shows seasonal creatures fashioned  from wool felt and antique spools. These exhibitors represent the mere tip of the iceburg.

The aforementioned Will Moses (great-grandson of the legendary Grandma Moses) also autographs copies of his latest childrens’ book, ``Mary and Her Little Lamb,’’ during show hours.

Members of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) will be on hand Saturday and Sunday providing tips and advice on using folk art in home décor. Another professional interior designer will tell how she created her own personal collection of contemporary American folk art.

Watch for some surprises in a new ``market’’ section of The Country Folk Art Festival.

Show Details

The 30th Annual Autumn Country Folk Art Festival

Date/time: 6-10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 21; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 23

Tickets: $8 Friday; $6 Saturday; 4 Sunday. Children younger than 15 attend free. Ask about group rates.

Location: Kane County Fairgrounds, Robinson Hall, Randall Road between Routes 64 (North Avenue) and 38 (Roosevelt Road), one mile west of downtown St. Charles. Free parking.

Other details: home-made food and refreshments; all exhibits under roof; handicapped accessible; strollers allowed.

Special events:

• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday - Jim Van Hoven of Period Windsor Chairs and Accessories builds a chair during the show.
• 11a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday – Interior designer Karen Riordan, Allied Member ASID, provides consultations on using folk art in home décor (free with show admission)
• ``Building A Folk Art Collection’’- Interior designer Janet Kreig, IIDA, tells how her love for contemporary American folk art prompted her to create a private collection and provide tips on incorporating new work in an existing collection (free with show admission)
• 2:30 p.m. Saturday – John Bachman of Bachman Woodworking demonstrates the shaping of a Shaker box
• 11 .m. – 1 p.m. Sunday – Interior designer Lisa Moriarty, ASID, provides consultations on using folk art in home décor (free with show admission)

Show information: Robin Reed, Art of the Heartland, Inc.,815-772-3279 or www.artoftheheartlandinc.com

Travel and lodging: St. Charles (IL) Convention and Visitors Buireau, 800-777-4373 or www.visitstcharles.com

Media contact: Patricia Gerlach, Gerlach Group, 847-882-9377 or pagerlach@comcast.net