Folk artist Howard Finster has departed, but his work can still be seen at Paradise Gardens, Summerville, GA. While most "outsider" creators are barely clammy when locals bulldoze their misunderstood eyesores, Finster's work should endure -- shouldn't it? Artists and Finster preservationists Grace Kelly and C.M.Laster are concerned that the Reverend's exterior work -- items not enshrined in museums -- are in peril:

"For the last few years we have been actively involved with the late Rev. Howard Finster in projects in Paradise Gardens -- art workshops with kids and Howard, a music Revival etc. We have also done volunteer repair work as we could to try and help maintain the rapidly deteriorating parts of Paradise Gardens. Howard was especially concerned that the World's Folk Art Church, or Chapel as he had taken to calling it, was rotting at the sill and told us how to fix it. We really want to...but it will be no small feat. And that is just one small aspect of what needs to done. We help Beverly --Howard's daughter with the small nonprofit as members of its board of directors."

"Now that Howard is gone, the task at hand is more urgent. On the weekend that would have been Howard's 85th birthday, we held a heavenly party in the garden. For three days, a large group of all volunteer labor worked to beautify the garden, raking, planting, digging out art that had been overgrown, washing and painting the folk art chapel, and putting up art that had been donated. People from all over the country brought themselves and wonderful donations of art,plants, materials, food... and then we had a day of music, and a memorial service for Howard. Howard even got to speak at his own service on tape in his last message to the world."

"It was really one of the most incredible days of our lives. (other than the magical days we spent with Howard). There is a large group of committed people who want to keep Paradise Garden alive and to restore Howard's work. We'll do it a little at a time if nothing else. But we are asking for help -- donations of money, materials, anything to do this."

"Howard Finster was truly a special person on this planet earth -- he changed and enhanced all our lives in so many ways. He intended Paradise Garden to be a place where all people could come and display their art, experience nature, sing and play music, and get in touch with God in their own way. This is a legacy we cannot let die."

[04/30/2002]