by Amy Ellis
The Historic Downtown District of Franklin, Ky., will be filled with visual and performing artists on Saturday, April 21, during the 11th Annual Cherry Blossom Art and Music Festival.
Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. as artists and craftsmen gather on the courthouse lawn to demonstrate and sell their handcrafted art. Shop with o
ur artists for handmade jewelry, baskets, repurposed vintage items and more. Painters, potters and writers will be among the artists on the square for the festival.
Several hands-on experiences will be offered during the festival. Albert Bauman of Springfield, Ky., will throw pottery and give you a chance to get your own hands on the pottery wheel. Bauman, known across the state as The Pottery Guy, has shared his craft with school groups at festivals and at Kentucky State Parks for over 30 years. His unique style of using everything from Barbie doll legs to toy monster trucks to teach his craft will intrigue you. Stop by and hear Bauman’s stories and learn how to make a piece of pottery, too.
Another hands-on experience will be the Love, Flowers and Guitars booth. Stop by this booth and paint a piece of art that will become part of a public art display for the Love in Bloom: A Tribute to Johnny festival in. We invite you to express your own personal style and paint a piece of artwork.
In addition to the visual artists, The Red River Fiddlers of Bowling Green will perform from 10 a.m. until noon and Nashville artist Dom Wier will perform from noon until 2 p.m. All musical performances will take place in the courtyard on the bandstand.
The courtyard will be “yarn bombed” in April by the Gallery on the Square. Join in the fun and add your fiber art to the display! You can bring your yarn with you or use some of ours. The yarn bombing will take place April 13-30.
The downtown merchants will be open during the festival and will offer specials sales during the four-hour event. Be sure to stop by the shops and see what special deals they have waiting for you!
Artists who are interested in setting up a booth can contact Gallery on the Square Director Lisa Deavers at 270-586-8055 or F-S Renaissance Director Amy Ellis at 270-586-8482. For an application to be a participating vendor go to Gallery on the Square or Franklin-Simpson Renaissance or visit www.fsrenaissance.org.
The Cherry Blossom Art and Music Festival is sponsored by the Gallery on the Square, F-S Community Arts Council and the F-S Renaissance.
The SOKY Earth Day Festival will take place in conjunction with the Cherry Blossom Art and Music Festival. Earlier that day Simpson County Literacy will host the Square-to-Square Bike Ride.
About the Author:
Amy Ellis is the executive director of F-S Renaissance, .
