As autumn rolls slowly into Tuscaloosa, the inhabitants of our fair city are greeted by the usual cacophonous hubbub that accompanies the fall semester at the University of Alabama; the groans and screeches of heavy traffic during “move-in day” on the first day of school are outdone in volume only by the myriad screaming Bama fans that swarm University Boulevard on game day. With the majority of the community turning its focus onto pep rallies and test scores, sometimes local art festivities take a backseat to mainstream spotlight. However, the residents of Tuscaloosa, Northport, and the surrounding areas are fortunate enough to have their very own bustling center for the arts, always brimming with the brightest and most exciting new artists and exhibitions this side of the Mississippi.

The Kentuck Museum of Arts is located in historic downtown Northport, tucked cozily between old-fashioned storefronts and a scenic landscaped courtyard. Although Kentuck is constantly showcasing various talented artists, fall is the busiest time of the year for them art-wise. This is largely because of its nationally recognized Festival of the Arts, which presents a vast array of exquisite, culturally significant works of art. Many of the pieces on display belong to the talented trove of local artists that reside here in West Alabama and represent the many colorful aspects of Southern tradition and culture.

Founded in 1971 on the exact date of Northport’s one hundred year anniversary, Kentuck quickly became a vital part of the arts community. The name “Kentuck” was actually Northport’s original name, meaning “utopia” or “blissful place.” By going back to Northport’s roots and adopting its former name, Kentuck is perpetuating this concept of a harmonious community, and they fulfill this endeavor with their dedication and passion for the arts.

One of the biggest ways that the museum contributes in the art world is through their glorious Festival of the Arts, a grand fair held on the third weekend of October every year, which is almost as old as the institution of Kentuck itself. First presented in the mid-70s, the Festival posed a chance for artists near and far to display their masterpieces to a local audience. Folk art is the most common representation of art showcased, with nationally recognized and critically acclaimed painters, sculptors, and craftsmen featured every year. Just as awe-inspiring and impressive as the beautiful art that is submitted is the fact that many of the artists to whom the pieces belong are totally self-taught. Charlie Lucas, Butch Anthony, and Lonnie Holley are just a few of the gifted contributors who didn’t go through formal training to fine tune their creative skills, but instead are simply dedicated and talented enough to perfect their own personal techniques.

While folk art is a main focus of the fair, the pieces that are featured are certainly not limited to this category. There is a “jury” component to the Festival, in which certain artists can enter their works into one of nine categories of art, and those pieces are judged and honored appropriately. Metal, fiber, and natural materials are just three of these categories, but by simply gathering from the titles, one can tell that the contest facilitates extreme creativity, variety, and innovation.

Local Alabamians are not the only ones who have taken notice of Kentuck, however. Time magazine just dubbed the Kentuck Museum and Festival of the Arts the “Authentic American Experience 2009” for the state of Alabama. Time honored Kentuck graciously, along with American Style, who listed the Festival as being in their Top Ten Art Fairs and Festivals in the country.

“This is a landmark year for Kentuck,” gushed Emily Leigh, art director for Kentuck. “Being recognized by magazines that are nationally known and read is very exciting.”

Indeed, being attributed such great acknowledgments by prolific magazines is thrilling for a local establishment such as Kentuck, but it is no less than what they deserve. Every year Kentuck connects artists to their neighborhoods and beyond, uniting art lovers in beautiful and unique ways. Kentuck’s mission statement declares that they want to “perpetuate the arts, engage the community and empower the artist,” and judging from the impact that it has made on artists and spectators far and wide, I’d say they are living up to their aspirations.

The 2009 Kentuck Festival will be October 17 & 18. This is a ticketed event, but certainly well worth the experience, ambiance, and creativity participants can absorb.

For more info on the Kentuck Museum of Art or the Kentuck Festival of the Arts, visit www.kentuck.org.

by Lauren Breland