THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 4, 1996 TAG: 9608010182
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 36 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By Mary Ellen Riddle
LENGTH: 66 lines
The stage is set on the Manteo waterfront for the New World Festival of the Arts which opens Aug. 14 at 10 a.m.
Booths filled with art and crafts will soon be hugging the shores of the Roanoke Sound, with the quaint Elizabethan-style town as a backdrop. The two-day affair, large enough to stretch the full length of the grass and boardwalk-laced arena,*marks the 14th year it has been a summer highlight.
History suggests that 10 days from now the town will be crawling with art lovers, some coming to look, some to buy and at least 80 of them to sell.
John Silver has been holed up in his Roanoke Island studio for months preparing for his debut at the local festival. In an easy-going drawl, Silver talked about the long days and late nights spent preparing for the event, one of seven outdoor festivals in which he exhibits annually.
``It's hard work,'' said Silver. The artist says he puts in as many if not more hours now than he did in his former life as a building contractor. ``I'm possessed by it, absorbed by it,'' he said.
As a watercolorist who's made a big splash in Dare County with his nostalgic cottage and beach paintings, Silver will showcase 40 such works he's created just for the show. Seventy-nine national and local artists will be joining Silver soundside, including 13 Outer Banks residents.
Although this is Silver's first official year as an exhibitor at the New World show, he and his wife Sheila are oldtimers to the festival. ``Sheila and I always go and buy at least one piece and some pottery,'' he said. ``Most of the stuff is so nice.''
The fact that the majority of the artists are repeat exhibitors points to the show's drawing power.
Kill Devil Hills painter and illustrator Laurie Kersey returns this year simply because past shows have paid off.
``It's been good for me every time,'' Kersey said. ``It's the biggest, nicest show we have in this area. Manteo always has people wandering around anyway.'' Kersey plans on displaying 15 oil paintings rendered in what she calls a traditional realism style.
Virginia painter Barclay Sheaks is traveling to the area to judge the outdoor exhibition. His own artistic repertoire includes many exhibits and awards on the local, regional and national level. Sheaks, comfortable with both visual and literary arts, has authored four books on painting and a volume of poetry.
He's also enjoyed fame as host of his own acrylic painting show on public television.
The show's mentor, Eddie Green, owner of Manteo's ever*popular Christmas Shop and Island Art Gallery, is a longtime supporter of the arts in Dare County. Green said 80 exhibitors is just the right size.
``We've had as few as 60 and as many as 110,'' he said. Ever since he arrived at the magic number, Green said all the artists have been happy. ``It's big enough to attract a crowd,'' said Green, but not too big to cut up the pie into too many pieces.
If you're looking for a slice of art, served a la soundside, stop by the New World Festival of the Arts on Aug. 14 or 15. It will be old home week for the artists and many of the visitors. There will be an array of crafts including jewelry, pottery, batiks, wood carvings, paintings and always some new surprises. MEMO: The New World Festival of the Arts runs from 10 a.m. until dark on
Aug. 14, and on Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY ELLEN RIDDLE
Kill Devil Hills painter and illustrator Laurie Kersey plans to
display 15 oil paintings at the New World Festival of the Arts which
opens Aug. 14. by CNB