| This site remains in celebration of a major cultural event in Atlanta.
Our mission was to host a major festival in the metropolitan
Atlanta area, representing exceptional Folk, Outsider, Visionary,
and Self-Taught artists. We pledged to provide local and out-of-state
collectors, art galleries, and folk art enthusiasts with an
annual event that was rewarding and above all, fun.
WhoFest was founded in 2004 as a grassroots effort “for
the artists, by the artists.” Immediate support came
from over 90 artists, including Smithsonian Folk Art Collection
artists Mr. Imagination and Lorenzo Scott.
WhoFest welcomed thousands of enthusiasts including representatives
from the Baltimore Visionary Art Museum and the Mennello Museum
of American Folk Art in Orlando, Florida. Gallery owners and
collectors attended from across the country including California,
Illinois, New York, Michigan, Texas, the Carolinas, Florida,
and Tennessee.
The spirit of WhoFest was captured on film by award winning
documentary film maker Michael Booth for his work in progress
tentatively titled "Hearts & Hands", a film
on Folk Art.
I would like to thank every artist, sponsor, volunteer and patron that gave WhoFest a chance. You also gave me a chance to realize a dream, feel part of an incredible community and have an experience I will hold dear for a lifetime! In gratitude, wishing you peace, happiness, success and all that is good - Karin
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Ben provided a space on the grounds of The
Spruill Gallery for me to try the first WhoFest in 2004
after a successful run of artists markets I put together there.
He has been a mentor to me since my return from 11 years in
San Francisco as well as supported my passion to put together
this festival. He was a lovely person, a friend to the artists,
had an incredible career and will live on in the hearts of the
hundreds of lives he touched. I will always see his bright smile
and feel a supporting hug from him in my minds eye at the WhoFests
that follow. His support allowed this creation and so much more
for so many artists.
Peace to you dearest Ben, with all my love - Karin
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