Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

ST. FRANCISVILLE, La.  – Conner Burns will be the featured artist at Yellow Leaf Arts Festival in St. Francisville the weekend of Oct. 26-27.

Burns is one of several Natchez artists who will be participating in the show. Others include Carolyn Weir, Leon Hollins, Joe Johnson, Julia Bray and Kitty Bray.

Although Burns reportedly swore off participation in art festivals in 2008, he said that festival organizers, specifically Lynn Wood, at the Yellow Leaf were quite convincing and he is excited to be a part of this great event. He said this is not a return to arts feestivals, but a one-time special event because he loves the town of St Francisville and the Yellow Leaf Arts Festival. Burns and his work will be featured in the Gazebo in the middle of Parker Park, which is in the middle of St. Franscisville.

Burns works with clay using natural materials and shapes that are subtle in both color and texture. Organic fluidity is his intention – such that each piece looks as if it grew that way rather than being made. Burns makes vessels (cups, bowls, teapots, vases) as well as sculptural items. In addition to making his artwork and operating his gallery, Burns teaches workshops across the nation to both professional and amateur artists. His work has been featured in books about teapots, bowls, glazes, cups and pitchers and has received awards from galleries, art festivals, art associations and national clay organizations. Burns’ work has been exhibited widely and is in collections across Europe, Asia and the United States.

The Yellow Leaf art festival is celebrating 21 years and combines visual arts and music.  It brings together artists from a wide berth to the beautiful town of St. Francisville for a celebration of the arts.  The St. Francisville non-profit arts organization, Arts For All, produces the Yellow Leaf Arts Festival. Authentic, inimitable, and running on a full tank of small town charm, the Yellow Leaf has become a favorite with artists, craftspeople, musicians, and collectors—many of whom have been involved every year since the festival’s inception 21 years ago. About 50 artists and craftspeople come to Parker Park to show and sell paintings, pottery, metalwork, handmade boats, fabric art, wood pieces, sculpture, glass art, jewelry, carvings, and lots more.

In addition to Yellow Leaf, Burns has a busy fall.

He has artwork at the University of Southern Mississippi Museum of Art.  The show is titled – Cups of Contemplation that will be exhibiting from Oct. 14-Nov.7.

Burns  will host his annual open house Nov. 30. This is the only time he opens his studio to the public and invites them in to see new artwork, the studio space and the great food that his mother and aunts make.

For additional information, visit  www.connerburns.com or www.artsforallwestfeliciana.com.