This weekend marks the second annual Folkfest St. Pete, hosted by Creative Clay, the nonprofit responsible for visionary programs in the field of arts entrepreneurship for artists with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities. As if what they already do wasn't enough, Creative Clay, led by executive director Grace Anne Alfiero, established the event last year to bridge the output of the organization's member artists with folk, outsider and visionary artists from the Bay area and around the country. The ever-popular Missionary Mary Procter — whose gospel-themed works made with repurposed soda cans, record albums and other materials are a perpetual hit at venues including the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts — will be in attendance. So will clay artists from St. Petersburg's Craftsman House and dozens more.
If you're not sold yet, let the line-up of musical performers convince you: Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets; Have Gun, Will Travel; The Heavy Pets; Rod MacDonald; Pickford Sundries. Then add food vendors, artist workshops and a play area for the kiddos. Pack up the family and head down to Central Avenue between 11th and 13th Streets in downtown St. Petersburg on Sat., Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sun., Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, go to creativeclay.org.
This article appears in Sep 24-30, 2008.