Happy Birthday Traditional Arts Today

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By Kathy Tretter ~ Editor – ferdnews@psci.net

As the saying goes, “Time flies when you’re having fun,” and fun could truly be the middle name of Traditional Arts Today (although maybe traditional fun arts doesn’t have quite the same ring to it).

For those who may not know, Traditional Arts Today, a non-profit like no other, located on the corner of West 9th and Missouri in Ferdinand, is celebrating a birthday soon, honoring its first five years of ingenuity and creativity.

Part educational facility and part charming shop where every item is made by hand, TAT is the brainchild of Jasper native Ann Knebel, a retired Rear Admiral from the Medical Military who now works for the National Institutes for Health in Maryland.

She has that whole right brain/left brain science/math/artistry thing going on (or she’s just that smart and talented) and for her, preserving those traditional arts from past decades and even past centuries in this day and age of AI, robotics and mechanization was tantamount.

With this in mind she and her husband, Ed Kornegay, purchased an historic property in Ferdinand and found like-minded people to staff it.  

The celebration will be held on the lawn at Traditional Arts Today this Saturday, September 23, with festivities starting at 10 a.m.

Here’s an idea of what you can look forward to:

The day will be filled with live demos from eight artists (resin-hand forging, ceramics, tie dye, painting and more).

A table full of items has been donated by local artists for a silent auction.

Pretty Bird Farms will be on hand with their fall flowers for a pick your own bouquet.

A kids’ craft table will be set up to keep those busy little hands busy.

The celebration will also be filled with live music. Performing artists include Patoka Valley Strummers, Mike Cummings and Mady Neukam.

And what kind of celebration would it be without food? No fears on that score — foodies can enjoy all sorts of delicacies with soups, salads and pastries from Emerald Greens, Rising Sun Artisan Food (yogurt parfaits) and an espresso bar and ice cream from Zax Creamery.

St. Benedicts Brew Works will also be on site with their famous Blueberry wheat beer and Winzerwald Winery is bringing a full line up of wines.

Those in attendance (please note, everyone is welcome) will receive giveaways with a donation to the cause or a purchase.

The celebration will end at 4 p.m.

Note: Times are listed in Eastern, the celebration will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central.