Storytelling & Art at Folkmoot USA

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. - June 6, 2015 - PRLog -- As early as age four, Doreyl Ammons Cain drew images of birds in the dusty logging road that lead up to her family’s cabin. She grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina dreaming of becoming an artist. Today she paints large public art murals that tell stories of life in the Appalachian Mountains.

Doreyl and her sister Amy Ammons Garza (storyteller and author) are telling their stories with words and spontaneous art at Folkmoot USA, 112 Virginia Avenue in Waynesville, NC on Sunday afternoon, June 14, starting at 2:00 pm. Known as the Ammons Sisters, they are the co-founders of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia (CSA), a non-profit organization with a mission to “Plant seeds of heritage through the arts.” For twenty six years the sisters have told stories of growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, stories that speak of ‘front porch music, people born and people dying,” says Amy Ammons Garza. Winding around the stories are music, song and dance.

The storytellers will kick off CSA’s “Passing the Music On” fundraising event at Folkmoot USA with the help of the Ross Brothers, a young twosome who play banjo, guitar and sing a tune or two. The Ammons Sisters’ tales bring laughter, memories of by-gone days and maybe even a few tears. As Amy tells her story and the Ross Brothers play their music, Doreyl paints her story as a spontaneous pastel mural behind them.

Shape note singing expert Mike Nichols gets the audience involved with the heritage of our mountain music, followed by the J Creek Cloggers and their take on the many layers of mountain dance. Betty Brown, balladeer, shares ole timey ‘Call & Response’ singing and then starts the music rolling ‘front porch’ style!  Sandwiched between young, amazing new performers a Cakewalk begins. Bill Cole and Blackberry Jam showcases as the Cakewalk Band. The cakes are all handmade by CSA’s Board of Directors. “Everyone is pitching in to make this event a success,” says Amy Ammons Garza.

“All of this exciting entertainment has a deep meaning to me,” says Doreyl Ammons Cain. “It’s all one big story of our mountain ways that were formed many generations ago. This creative heritage is what I am passionate about capturing in all my historical murals.”

“And this is what the fundraiser is all about, funding public mural art that keeps our heritage alive for even more generations. In this new era of smart phones and cyber lives, it’s so important to remember our roots,” continues Doreyl Ammons Cain.

“Passing the Music On” fundraiser is an event everyone can enjoy. Cakes, cookies, tea and lemonade will be served. An auction of the best cakes and the spontaneous pastel mural and art prints by Doreyl, give all a chance to take something home.

It’s a first come, first serve event with tickets at the door, so make sure you come a little early for the best seat! A $10 entry fee for adults and $3 for children under 9 years old will get you in. Cakewalk tickets are $1. For more information, call CSA at 828-293-2239. To donate by internet go to:  HTTP://power2give.org/go/p/8940 .