Alabama Visionary Folk Artist: James ‘Buddy’ Snipe Thursday August 5 – Thursday August 19, 2021 Online Preview Begins: Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at www.amerifolk.com Opens In the gallery: Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 11 AM During the month of August, American Folk Art will be alive with the artwork of renowned Alabama Folk Artist James ‘Buddy’ Snipe. Mr. Snipe has been creating since he was a little boy; his first creations were toys that his 11 siblings played with. These toys were made of twigs, bits of cloth, springs, broken plates & mirrors…whatever they could scrounge, and of course, Buddy’s ingenious imagination. Eventually these ‘toys’ grew into more sculptural forms. Beginning in the late 1970’s, Buddy’s colorful yard ornamentation attracted the attention of folklorists and documentarians who were recognizing the important contributions Southern Folk Artists were making to American Culture. Mr. Snipe gained wide recognition. Now 77, he is no longer making, but Buddy occasionally invites Betsey-Rose Weiss, the owner of American Folk Art, to visit and select an assortment of his art. This show is a result of Mx. Weiss’ most recent visit. Mr. Snipe didn’t attend school long enough to learn to read or write, yet his awareness of the world, amazing imagination & his love of ‘making’ serve as a scrap-book for his memories and the events of his life. Visit American Folk Art at 64 Biltmore Ave in Downtown Asheville, 7 days a week from 11 AM – 5 PM.