Rural Studio Outreach Student Cynthia Connolly designed and built a vegetable stand/market for an organic farm owned by Willie Nell and James Avery, in Perry County, Alabama. In addition to providing the Averys with a unique place to sort, wash and sell vegetables, the stand is also an artwork that serves as a local landmark and gathering place. Ms. Connolly employed local Alabama artists to help with the design and marketing.

Butch Anthony, an Alabama folk artist, designed the walls of the stand with his “hog-wire” fencing using found objects. Amos Kennedy, a letter press printer and book artist designed and printed promotional posters for the stand. The posters were distributed throughout Tuscaloosa, Perry, Marengo and Hale counties listing the days and times of eight different farmer’s markets, including this one.

Ms. Connolly employed basket makers from the area, Estelle and Freda Jackson, to make baskets that would display the vegetables that were for sale in the stand.

The intention of the stand was to promote the artistic beauty that we find around Alabama.  This includes the organic vegetables themselves, displayed in hand made oak baskets, communication with hand letterpressed posters, and the art of Butch Anthony used as not only an object to admire, but a utilitarian work, serving as lockable gates for the stand.