'When the Spirit Speaks' book, exhibit show folk art's current state

Some devotees of the colorfully hued paintings, drawings and found-object sculpture by untrained artists felt the genre was on its last legs after its heyday during the final decades of the 20th century.

The notion was that most of the earlier artists had operated out of rural outposts during the genre’s heyday, and the newcomers could hardly create art for art’s sake if plugged in, like the rest of the world, via the Internet and cellphones.

Credit: Liz Miniet

Credit: Liz Miniet

Pardon “When the Spirit Speaks” (Schiffer Publishing, $34.99) author Margaret Day Allen if she differs with that dismissal. In addition to her book, the Hickory, N.C., writer helped organize an exhibit of artists from “Spirit Speaks” at Main Street Gallery in Clayton that’s on view through Dec. 8.

In our story on the premium myAJC website, see what Allen has to say about the current state of folk art, and what she thinks qualifies in our modern world, which makes it hard for any artist to stay isolated. We also take a closer look at several of the artists in the "Spirit Speaks" exhibit.

ON VIEW

Artists from “When the Spirit Speaks”

Through Dec. 8. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays-Saturdays. On Black Friday (Nov. 27), the gallery is staying open until 8 p.m. as part of holiday festivities being organized by the Clayton Merchants and Business Association. Main Street Gallery, 51 N. Main St., Clayton. 706-782-2440, mainstreetgallery.net.