THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 10, 1996 TAG: 9605100059
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
THE MILES B. CARPENTER Folk Art Museum, a showcase for arts, crafts and special exhibits in Waverly, will hold its 10th annual festival Saturday, with talks about its namesake, sales and outdoor entertainment.
Last year's event, at Carpenter's former home, drew about 1,500 people to this Sussex County town of 2,500 to honor the work of a man who created art from such everyday materials as gnarled sticks and tree stumps.
The celebration theme is ``Miles to Remember/Miles to Go.''
Visitors may sit on boards between bales of hay - or bring lawn chairs - to listen to folk, bluegrass and gospel music, tour the museum, or shop for old tools and new, handcrafted items.
At 11 a.m., Ann Oppenhimer, president of the Folk Art Society of America, will give a talk, ``Miles of Smiles: Miles Carpenter Remem-bered.''
Activities also include a silent auction of old tools, kitchen memorabilia, wooden toys and bird houses. And there will be a yard sale and old-fashioned cakewalk with home-baked delicacies as prizes.
The Bacon's Castle Quilters Guild and basketmakers John Perkins, Sue Burney and Nancy McCants will give demonstrations.
Children's toys that whirl or spin - whirligigs by Vollis Simpson of Lucama, N.C. - will be displayed, along with sculptures with movable parts, creations of Thad Cherry and James Sheffield of Waverly.
``There's a lot of talent in Waverly, said Shirley Yancey, president of the museum board of trustees. ``A lot of it is the result of the museum.''
Cherry, she said, did woodcarving years ago but never pursued it until he became involved with the museum.
Carpenter's nephew, John Wayne Bryant, will offer woodcarvings for sale. ``I always just carved some when I felt like it,'' he said. ``I never even talked to anybody about it before. I don't like the publicity like he (Miles) did.
Some of his creations are in the same vein as his uncle's: birds, bobcats and coyotes.
His canes include one with a skeleton head and another of of Richard Nixon, made about the time of Watergate.
The museum opened Memorial Day 1986, beginning with one room. Now, the entire house and all but one of the buildings on the premises have been restored by volunteers.
The amphitheater, country store and a nature trail were added.
``It's hard to find anyone in Waverly not involved with the museum one way or another,'' Yancey said. They expect a lot of company Saturday. ILLUSTRATION: [Info Box]
FESTIVAL FACTS
What: Folk Art Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Miles B. Carpenter Folk Art Museum, U.S. 460 West,
Waverly
Cost: Free
Call: 834-2151
by CNB