(Media release from the Paradise Garden Foundation):
Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden hosts its annual two-day art festival, Finster Fest, on September 23 & 24 in Summerville, Georgia in historic Paradise Garden. Finster Fest will feature over 65 folk, craft, and fine artists, music performances, and special guest presentations. In addition, patrons will experience the finest southern fare, a children’s art activity area, and, of course, the chance to tour Howard Finster’s famous folk art environment.
“Our festival patrons travel from 12 states to attend this nationally recognized art festival and we appreciate the National Endowment for the Arts and Georgia Council for the Arts for being our lead sponsors and supporters,” said Tina Cox, Executive Director of Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden Foundation.
Finster Fest features nationally recognized self-taught artists from 14 states. Special speakers will include artist Black Cat Tips, author of the children’s book Smile a While, and artist Peter Loose (Georgia) will tour his art exhibit Before and After Paradise featured in the Museum & Visitor Ctr.
Music performances will be held in various parts of Paradise Garden over the two-day festival featuring an incredible line-up with folk, Americana, gospel, bluegrass, indie, and country.
The festival food focuses on a southern fare filled with BBQ ribs and chicken with the trimmings and the Chattooga Garden Club’s famous Paradise pimento cheese sandwich, huge spread of homemade pound cake and sweet southern tea.
The VIP Art Patron Hospitality is filled with two days of fun-filled patron benefits. VIP Art Patron tickets are on sale now and has sold out the past two years. Purchase your tickets today!
Hours for our family-friendly festival are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. General admission is $10 (children 12 and under free), Chattooga County residents and Paradise Garden members $5, all with free parking at the Walmart on U.S. 27 just north of the Paradise Garden, with a complimentary 3-minute shuttle provided all day. Handicap parking is available on site.
Finster Fest launched in 1991 and is Summerville’s biggest event, drawing guests from all over the Southeast US. Paradise Garden is on the National Register of Historic Places. Proceeds from Finster Fest benefit the nonprofit Paradise Garden Foundation, which operates and continues restoration of Howard Finster’s 4-acre plus art environment and cultural center
Look for updates at Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden on Facebook and Instagram.
