More than 65 folk artists will fill the grounds at Renaissance Park this weekend for the fifth annual Who-Fest.
“Who-Fest is an outdoor celebration of folk, outsider, visionary and self-taught art,” says David Smotherman. Smotherman is owner of Winder Binder Gallery and Bookstore, which produces Who-Fest in partnership with the Who Ha Da Da artist fellowship and Shaking Ray Levi Society.
“The Who Ha Da Das are a group of Southern folk artists who decided they could promote themselves better as a group rather than individually,” explained Smotherman. He said about 10 Who Has will be showing in this festival.
Smotherman said artists are coming from as far north as Madison, Wis., and as far south as Louisiana and Florida to exhibit. Their work includes painting, glass, metalwork, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, furniture and textiles.
Smotherman said the Shaking Ray Levi Society, which will perform during the festival, is bringing David Greenberger to town. He added that there will be three stages of live music over the two days.
Greenberger is a writer and radio commentator known for his Duplex Planet series of zines, comic books, CDs and his speaking performances. His series of personal commentaries airs regularly on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.”
In addition to performing during Saturday afternoon’s festival hours, members of the Folk School of Chattanooga will be holding clinics to introduce visitors to new instruments.