“God’s Architects” new film about folk artists and their amazing environments

GOD’S ARCHITECTS trailer from Zack Godshall on Vimeo.

Deep Fried Kudzu (all things good and southern) blogger, Ginger Brook just brought this documentary to my attention…Featuring the art environments of 5 amazing artists, Leonard Knight’s Salvation Mountain, Shelby Ravellette’s Lacey Michele Castle, Kenny Hill’s Garden of Salvation, Rev. H.D. Dennis’ Margaret’s Grocery and Floyd Banks, Jr. castle.

To learn more about it, please visit the website.

(excerpts from the God’s Architects web site

Synopsis:

God’s Architects is a documentary that tells the stories of five divinely inspired artist-architects and their enigmatic creations.The film details how and why these oft-marginalized creators, with neither funding nor blueprints, construct their self-made environments.

Backstory:

In the spring of 2005, Emilie Taylor, then a graduate student at the Tulane School of Architecture, received a travel grant to research and document self-taught and visionary builders around the south. After visiting and documenting a number of builders, most of whom professed some degree of divine inspiration, Emilie shared her findings with filmmaker Zachary Godshall. Immediately attracted by Taylor’s stories, drawings, and photographs, Godshall decided to visit the builders himself.

And so in November 2005, Godshall set out from south Louisiana with a camera, tripod, and microphone to interview and document the work of Floyd Banks Jr., a divinely inspired castle builder living in the east Tennessee hill country.

Three years later, Godshall completed a feature-length film that both examines and celebrates the work of Banks along with four other solitary builders who have constructed similar monuments. Beyond the builders and their work, the film functions as a personal essay that explores the nature of inspiration and one’s dedication to a creative project, no matter how absurd or mysterious the circumstances may seem.

An evening of artwork by Kathy Ruth Neal

This Friday, November 6th would have been Kathy’s birthday. She passed last year after a battle with cancer. I was fortunate to have known Kathy, and her art was a big crowd favorite at the Rare Visions/Detour Art show at the Belger. Eclectics Gallery in Brookside is having an opening in honor of Kathy, her art and her spirit.

Who: Kathy Ruth Neal and Friends

What: A retrospective look at some truly entertaining works of art!

When: Friday November 6th, 5 to 8 p.m.

Where: Eclectics Gallery at 7015 Oak, KCMO, 816-361-6643

Why: Because we have been so inspired by Kathy Ruth and know that you will be too!

Kathy Ruth was a wood carver and described her work as “vignettes of American life: events of the day, at the movies, the circus, or politics.” Although Neal has recently passed away, her work carries exciting life that continues to inspire us. Eclectics Gallery was enhanced through having this talented artist show at our shop for many years, and now we would like to invite you to a look back at some of the brilliant movie-themed carvings that Kathy Ruth brought to life. Help us remember Kathy Ruth Neal’s wonderful sense of humor and creative spirit displayed through her extraordinary art. We celebrate this productive artistic life and ask you to come, see, and be dazzled!