The Foothills Folk Art Festival returned to Downtown Newton

On Saturday, May 13th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.mThe Foothills Folk Art Festival came to Downtown Newton to celebrate local artists, crafters, artisans, musicians, and food. . The festival was presented in partnership by Hickory Museum of Art and Downtown Newton Development Association.

The Foothills Folk Art Festival is a free, family-friendly celebration influenced by and displaying the spirit of folk, visionary, and outsider art. The day’s festivities included art demonstrations, hands-on activities for children, live music, food trucks, and a beer garden. The Foothills Folk Art Festival’s inception dates to 2005, when the Hickory Museum of Art acquired 153 folk art objects from Barry and Allen Huffman of Hickory. Since acquiring the Huffman collection, HMA has showcased contemporary Southern folk art through a variety of exhibits, public programs, and special events. Over the years, the festival was held at different locations in Hickory and Sherrills Ford prior to the inaugural festival in Downtown Newton in 2016.

“We are excited to partner again with Downtown Newton Development Association in presenting the Foothills Folk Art Festival,” said Clarissa Starnes, Executive Director of Hickory Museum of Art. “This event brings so many talented artists and visitors to Downtown Newton and represents beautifully the museum’s mission to bring people together and inspire creativity through the power of art. We are looking forward to seeing everyone on May 13.”

Nearly 70 renowned folk artists gathered in the 1924 Courthouse Square. Their work executed a wide range of materials, including wood, clay, metals, textiles, beads, paper, and paints, often in mixed-media combinations or in repurposed recycling.

Live musical and dance performances were held throughout the day at the Frank & Sue Jones Amphitheatre and Herbert M. Yount Park. This year’s performance lineup included GMC Jazz, John Emil, Krystal King, The Mug Band, and The Southern Appalachian Cloggers.

In addition to Downtown Newton’s brick-and-mortar restaurants, cafes, bars, bottle shops, and bakeries, a variety of local food truck vendors attended the festival, including Anna’s Sweet Treats, Bam’s Sandwich Bistro, Big Daddy’s Kountry Cookin’, Caribbean Sandwich and Pinchos, Chugar Frappe, Defense Dogs, Duck Donuts Duck Truck, Hopper’s Soul Food & Catering, The Hog ‘n Dog Too, Jack’s Treat Truck, Little Red Grill, Lobster Dogs, Soul To Bowl, Wholey Cow, Pooter Pop Kettle Corn, and Whitener’s Concessions. The Corner Table, a Downtown Newton nonprofit that assists neighbors affected by hunger, held its festival-favorite Gourmet Hot Dog Fundraiser.

“We’re grateful to the countless volunteers who have donated their time and talents over the years to grow the Foothills Folk Art Festival into what it is today,” said Mary Yount, Director of the Downtown Newton Development Association and Newton’s Main Street Program. “As we look forward to greeting the thousands of festival guests who visit Downtown Newton each year on the second Saturday of May, I think of all the behind-the-scenes collaboration and the strong community partnerships— especially between HMA and DNDA—that underpin this special event and add to the vitality of our community year-round.”

For the latest updates, like and follow the festival on Facebook at www.facebook. com/foothillsfolkartfestival or visit www.foothillsfolkartfestival.com. For more information about the Hickory Museum of Art, visit www. hickoryart.org.