The Friends of Arrow Rock will host the Antiques and Decorative Arts Symposium—The World of Folk Art, on Saturday, May 14 in Arrow Rock. Folk art is artistic works, such as paintings, sculpture, basketry, and utensils produced by untrained, often anonymous artists, or by artisans of varying degrees of skill, marked by such attributes as highly decorative design, bright, bold colors, flattened perspective, strong forms in simple arrangements, and immediacy of meaning.

This one-of-a-kind symposium will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater, and will include a noon luncheon served at the historic J. Huston Tavern.

The program will feature four presentations by visiting experts. Jason T. Busch, Director and CEO of the American Folk Art Museum in New York, will focus on the cultural importance of American Folk Art, highlighting pieces within the Museum’s collection. Halleye Bone, quilt and quilted textile historian, appraiser, conservator, and author, will present a program on 19th and early 20th Century Quilts. Lark Mason, III, of Lark Mason Associates in New Braunfels, Texas, will present a program on 18th and 19th Century Chinese, Japanese, and Korean folk art. (Mason and his father, Mr. Lark E. Mason, are seen regularly on the PBS series Antiques Roadshow.)

Chet F. Breitwieser will conclude the Symposium with his much-requested program, “Caring for Your Antiques and Heirlooms.” Breitwieser has been in the antique business for more than 40 years, and has the distinct pleasure of working with the Triage Team of Appraisers on Antiques Roadshow.

Tickets cost $100 for regular admission, which includes the full-day program and luncheon. A VIP ticket is available for $150, which includes reserved seating at the theater, luncheon, and a private cocktail party and reception to meet the speakers at the historic Sappington Estate, Prairie Park, hosted by the owners and benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Whitney E. Kerr Sr.

For more information or reservations, call the Friends of Arrow Rock Office / 1829 Museum Shop at (660) 837-3231.

The Lyceum Theatre is in the heart of the Arrow Rock village, with adjacent trails for walking and hiking, many historic locations, dining at Catalpa on the Boardwalk and the J. Huston Tavern, and several unique shops.

  The Friends of Arrow Rock was founded in 1959 by men and women who cared deeply about the legacy of this unique locale, in order to preserve the architectural treasures of Arrow Rock, Missouri—and through them, share its many stories of our state’s history with children and adults. More than six decades later, this organization is still committed to those ideals, and still supported by people who are passionate about Arrow Rock.

Event activities and presenters are subject to change.