Folk Arts Take Over

It's official. Fall is here, and it's time to dance in the street at Folkfest St. Pete, an annual arts and music street festival in downtown St. Petersburg. On Sept. 27 and 28, a two-block section of Central Avenue will become a promenade filled with bold colors, whimsical tales and live folk tunes from national and local music stars.

More than 60 top folk artists from around the nation will set up shop, offering colorful paintings with simple lines and complex ideas, and unique crafts such as puppets made from sewing notions, radio parts or old watches.

Live music ranging from traditional folk to island funk keeps the free party going all weekend. Legendary Greenwich Village folk singer Rod McDonald and funk-jazz-rock jam band The Heavy Pets headline a line-up of strong performers that also includes roots rocker Rebekah Pulley and her band the Reluctant Prophets, wailing blues guitarist James Peterson and local Americana music sensation Have Gun, Will Travel. (727-825-0515, http://creativeclay.org)

For Saturday night, the festival moves to the Craftsman House Gallery & Café, where country blues guitarist Paul Geremia finger picks his 12-string for an intimate audience. Cost is $23 a ticket, and seating is limited. (727-323-2787, www.craftsmanhousegallery.com.)

Much as American folk art uses simplicity to tell a larger story, the event's benefactor, Creative Clay Cultural Arts Center, uses the festival for its larger purpose – to fund art education for people with limited physical and mental abilities.

For 13 years, the nonprofit has proven that there's an artist in everyone, and a story in every piece of art. Their students' paintings and pottery have many narratives, but all speak to the limitless possibilities of the human spirit.

Consider a black Sharpie drawing by Michael R. that boldly proclaims "RELAX BEHAVE,” or the whimsical multicolored rooftops painted by Stephanie. While at Folkfest, be sure to step inside the Creative Clay gallery, on Central Avenue between 11th and 13th Streets, to see their inspiring artwork.