Clinton could become a regional center for arts and crafts. Already, in December, the Arts Council show has become a stable for selling local and regional art as gifts for Christmas. Now local and regional artist are excited about having a spring showing of their works. Already 17 artist and crafts vendors have signed up to be a part of the 1st annual Chicken Festival in Clinton.

Paducah, Mayfield, and Murray are the only other communities within the Jackson Purchase that have two or more art and craft selling opportunities during the year. Planners of the Chicken Festival hope this annual event will propel Clinton into a serious contender for selling art and crafts throughout the year.

This new marketplace for art and craft is just the right venue for encouraging new artist to locate or retire to this area. Already artist in Memphis are seriously looking at Clinton as a place to retire to and get away from high crime and high property taxes. Artists in their mid fifties and early sixties want a new peaceful community where they can produce their art in a safe environment. These same artist want a community where life can be enjoyed in a two story frame of conciscessious. 

For many reasons beyond the ones mentioned above, Clinton and the Chicken Festival is yet another reason for celebrating our local and regional art talent in a spirited and fun environment. Below is a short listing of who will be selling art and crafts at the Chicken Festival in Clinton on April 30, 2011.

One such artist that will be enjoying this new experiment into spring art show will be Danny Whitlock.

Danny Whitlock is a great example of individuals who take natural resources and mold them into objects of art and utility. Danny Whitlock makes pottery. He digs clay from a creek bed that contains the special texture and color of raw clay. Through a series of steps that raw clay is transformed into beautiful cups, jars, serving trays, and countless other objects that move art into the world of practical living.

Danny’s steps for crafting raw clay into art are: (1) dig clay out of creek bed located on uncle’s farm (2) scan clay for rocks, twigs, and other foreign objects like frogs, (3) blend creek clay with white commercial clay, (4) wedging it through a series of pounding it into shape, (5)  blend local clay with commercial in right proportions and content to reach right color and texture, (6) clay is fired for final finish. 

Other artist who will be at the Chicken Festival will include:

Dianna Ward will bring hand crocheted  afghans, shawls, wraps, scarves, house shoes and roses.  

Jere McCuiston will be selling wood crafts.

Sissy’s Boutique will have handmade children’s hair bowls and headbands.

Gertie’s Gifts will personalized vinyl gifts  cake carriers, water bottles.

The Chicken Coop/Thirtyone will bring chicken gourds, chicken tea sets towels, potholders, table runners, floral wreaths and arrangements, bottom rings & jewelry, purses (small utility tote) pillows.

Michele Drake & Jennifer Priddy will sell handcrafted button bracelets & wrislet key fobs.

Rubber Room Girls will have hand stamped cards and gifts.

God is Good Floral Creations will be selling floral arrangements and wreaths.

Chocolate Mooze will have monogram items, hairbows, dip mixes, tutus, and other hand made items.

The Rotary Club will be looking for people with bad chicken attitude for their  Dunking Booth.