Kings Kings Mountain Art Fair raises funds for volunteer fire department Kings Kings Mountain Art Fair raises funds for volunteer fire department (August 24, 2005)

By Jane Knoerle

Almanac Lifestyles Editor

Kings Mountain Art Fair, a favorite Labor Day outing for 42 years, will once again take place in the redwood forest adjacent to the Kings Mountain Community Center, 13889 Skyline Blvd, above Woodside. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, September 3, through Monday, September 5.

The fair, held at the height of the fire season, raises funds for the local volunteer fire department.

Ardyth Woodruff, co-chairman of the first fair, recalls how it all started: "In 1964, when our volunteer firemen tried to fight a 1,600-acre fire with grit and garden hoses, we knew it was time to get serious about fire protection."

The first fair, held in a local barn in 1963, raised $50. It was decided that future funds would be used to build a firehouse. "We knew we had to put on a top quality-show to encourage people to drive up to our beautiful, but remote, community," says Ms. Woodruff.

Today's fair features the work of 135 juried artists chosen from applicants throughout the United States. Only one applicant in 10 is selected.

There will be a wide range of oil paintings, watercolors, serigraphs, sculpture, photography, wearable art, leather goods, furniture, quilts, basketry and leather arts. An additional 25 artists take part in the Mountain Folk Art section of the fair to make sure the fair keeps its local flavor.

The Harris List, a publication for art professionals, ranks the fair among the top 10 in the western United States. "It's a huge accomplishment for a 450-household community to put on a top fair with an all-volunteer staff," says new fair chairman, Dawn Neisser. "We are motivated by the fear of another large forest fire."

Today Kings Mountain Fire Department is fully equipped and responds to 160 calls a year.

Kings Mountain folks are proud of the fact there are no sound stages, no wine tastings and no corporate sponsors at the fair. Volunteers pitch in to prepare an outdoor pancake breakfast from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Food, wine, beer and beverages will be served from 11:30 a.m.

Kings Mountain parents will be baking "Grandma Jenny's" giant cookies to raise funds for the elementary school. Volunteers will cook and serve hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers and chicken sandwiches.

A "Kiddie Hollow" crafts and play area will provide entertainment for children in a shady area. There will be spin art, glitter crafts, games, reading and tree climbing under supervision while parents shop. There is a $2 per child per hour charge.

All the funds in the early years were used to buy fire equipment and building supplies for the community center. Today, proceeds are used to support the fire brigade, the community center and fire station, and the public Kings Mountain Elementary School.
INFORMATION

Kings Mountain Art Fair is held from September 3-5 at Kings Mountain Community Center, 13889 Skyline Blvd. (Hwy. 35), six miles south of Hwy. 92. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. No dogs are permitted. Parking is available on the shoulder of the road. A free shuttle running along Skyline will take people to the fair. For more information, call 851-2710 or see www.kingsmountainartfair.org.

Menlo photographer shows at Kings Mountain fair

"My black and white photos are meant to startle," says Cindy Stokes of Atherton, who is exhibiting at the Kings Mountain Art Fair for the first time.

The artist takes photos of leaves instead of flowers. In Yosemite she photographs rocks on the ground instead of landscapes.

"I like to highlight textures or take things out of context," she says.

Ms. Stokes, who has taken many photo workshops, began taking pictures as a 9-year-old. The fair will be the biggest show she has ever done.

"I've attended the show many times and have applied for the show three times," she says.

Ms. Stokes grew up in North Dakota and Minnesota, and moved to the Bay Area six years ago. She has a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and works as a bio-engineer for a local bio-pharmaceutical company. For more about her photos, see www.cindystokes.com.

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