Hudson’s General Store to host folk artists on their porch

Do you ever wonder how long it took to carve the decoy on your mantle? Or how long it took the quilter to hand-stitch the quilt covering your bed? On Saturday, Oct. 8, wonder no more. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hudson’s General Store will be hosting folk artists on their porch, allowing customers the opportunity to chat them up and even see them at work.

“It’s just our fall weekend here at the store,” said owner Melody Hudson. “We do this every year in October.”

Hudson said that folk artists have been visiting the store’s porch for nearly 20 years, which offers customers a unique chance to meet the artists in person.

“These are the people who make things for our store. It’s not people coming to a show. It’s so that you can meet them in person,” she said. “We started an antique show 17 years ago, and then our folk artists we put on the porch, so that they would be separate from our antique dealers,” Hudson explained. “I’ve just always loved folk art.”

Eight folk artists will be in attendance, at different times throughout the day, from quilters to paper-cutters to decoy-carvers.

“They take turns when they come,” explained Hudson. “When the carver is here, he usually is carving or he’s explaining about antique decoys. When the paper cutter is here, she’ll be cutting. The quilt lady doesn’t usually quilt when she’s here,” she noted.

Hudson said the event is a fun way to learn about different kinds of folk art and how it’s produced.

“It’s just a weekend for our store where people get to meet the people who create our things.”

As for the store’s customers, Hudson said that many of them are loyal followers of the porch artists.

“They love it. They’ve followed them for years because they buy their things, so they always come to see what they’re doing that’s new.”

Hudson said she hopes the day will be well-received and that the community will come out for a fun time.

“I just hope that it’s a pleasant day and that everyone has a wonderful time.”

Hudson’s General Store is located on the corner of Route 26 and Iron’s Lane in Clarksville. For more information or directions, call (302) 539-8709 or visit www.hudsonsgeneralstore.com.