Aug. 28--It may not be an art gallery or a museum, but a St. Simons Island coffee house is the "canvas" for a community art fair.

Artist Kay Edenfield will showcase her artwork beginning Sunday at Palm Coast Coffee and Pub in the St. Simons Island Pier Village. While her work will remain on display for another month, the handiworks of other artisans and crafts persons will be on exhibition Sunday when the Community Arts Market, sponsored by Under the Oaks Arts, sets up at the coffee shop.

Community Arts Market had been staged on an every-other-Monday schedule, but with tourism season winding down it is being moved to the last Sunday of each month.

While Edenfield is an artist in the popular sense of the word, the Community Arts Market applies a very broad definition to invite lots of exhibitors.

"We want to encourage local people to come out and set up a table with fresh herbs, homegrown fruits and veggies, soaps, honey, art ... anything made with your two hands," said Ashley Henry, a co-organizer of the event.

For Edenfield, the opportunity was too good to miss.

"Starving artists rarely turn down any show, but this grassroots community show is pretty much what my artwork is about," Edenfield said. "After I lost my job last year I really couldn't afford canvas and I started painting on rusted tin, mounted on reclaimed wood." She also knocks on people's doors in the country in her quest for unique materials on which to paint.

"You see, it really is about the community helping each other, and I love the people in our community who help me make my art work," she said.

When you go

Community Arts Market, sponsored by Under the Oaks Arts, will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Palm Coast Coffee and Pub, 318 Mallery St., St. Simons Island. Kay Edenfield's artwork will remain on display through September. E-mail Under the Oaks Arts at undertheoaksart@gmail.com to register to exhibit at future shows.

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Copyright (c) 2009, The Brunswick News, Ga.

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