Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Local artist Stacey Edwards earned placement as a participant in the 52nd Kentuck Festival of the Arts scheduled for Oct. 14-15 in Northport. The two-day festival developed its roots in folk art and features the work of 270 plus artists, as well as live music, spoken word, activities for children, folk and contemporary craft demonstrations, food trucks, and local craft brews.

“It’s pretty tough to get selected,” Edwards said. “This is the first festival I’ve ever applied for. It’s the biggest one in the state. I really didn’t think I was going to make it in, but now that I’ve made it, I’m a little terrified.”

Edwards prepares to present her painting series, “Saints and Southern Sinners” at the festival. The saints pieces feature historical figures such as Joan of Arc and St. Cecilia, while the sinners portray prominent southern personalities with a twist such as “Saint Dolly Parton of Push-Up Bras and Positivity” and “Saint Nick of Tuscaloosa.” 

“I’ve always wanted to do a series of southern things,” Edwards said. “I’m Catholic and I like science and religious works, so I decided on people we worship in the South.”

Featured in numerous publications, Kentuck Festival of the Arts was most recently recognized by the Alabama Department of Tourism as one of the top-ten events to attend in Alabama in 2018 and by Alabama Magazine as one of the “Best of Bama 2022.” Kentuck has also been featured in Smithsonian Magazine, Southern Living, American Style Magazine, and National Geographic Traveler. In 2018, Sunshine Artists Magazine named the Festival 5th in the nation in the category of Classic and Contemporary Craft Shows.

“I’m very proud of her,” said Edwards’ husband Chad Edwards. “She has spent a lot of her time and talent teaching other people, and I’m excited to see her show off the work that she does for herself. She’s also phenomenal at sculpting, watercolor, collages, pencil, and charcoal that I hope will be featured in future shows. Her most recent work is some of the best I’ve seen in a long time, and I think she’ll sell out.”

Edwards explained that as an art teacher most of her creative ideas went to her student’s projects and artwork. She is excited to explore her own artistic ideas and create, not just as a teacher, but as a professional artist. 

Edwards credits her accomplishments to her art teacher Priscilla Davis. 

“She’s the most underrated artist and educator in our state,” Edwards said. “She was incredible. She taught me everything I ever knew about art and how to teach.”

Edwards owns Artitude On Main in downtown Greenville, where she offers art lessons, private paint parties, and adult paint parties. The art studio can be followed on Facebook and Instagram, and for bookings go to www.artitudeonmain.net. Edwards also has two murals downtown – “Share the Love” on the Safe Harbor building and “TeeTot and Hank” on the 365 Fyne Studio building. 

The 52nd Kentuck Festival of the Arts will take place from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on October 14, and 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. on October 15 at Kentuck Park located at 3401 5th Street in Northport. Tickets are $15 for a single day pass, $25 for a weekend pass, and children 12 and under get in free. For further information check the venue’s website at kentuck.org or social media @KentuckArt.