Willie R. Rascoe: The Core of Nature’s Beauty, Art of an African American Folk Artist

The Living Arts & Science Center is pleased to present a new exhibition of Kentucky Folk Artist, Willie Rascoe, as well as a workshop with the artist for guests to learn about his process and to create their own artwork with natural materials.
Presented as part of the Lexington Roots and Heritage Festival, an opening reception with the artist will also take place on Friday, Sept. 7 at the Living Arts & Science Center.

Born in rural Christian County, Ky. in 1950, Willie Rascoe was the first black… Show more student to graduate from the Sinking Fork Elementary School following racial integration of the public schools. After serving in the 82nd Airborne Division and completing an Associate of Arts degree at Hopkinsville Community College, the Kentucky native joined his father’s business as a builder. Shortly thereafter, he felt the urge to create and was drawn to the pieces of driftwood and other natural materials that he would find during long contemplative walks along the lakes, rivers and woods of his Western Kentucky home. Rascoe began sculpting and carving the driftwood that he had collected and Rascoe the construction worker became Rascoe the artist.

His complex and intriguing abstractions are inspired by African imagery and Rascoe’s highly evolved human and animal forms evoke a spiritual quality that blends wood, seeds, bones, shells and other natural materials. Stains are often created from local berries and sawdust.

During Rascoe’s stay in Lexington, the Living Arts & Science Center will also host field trip programs for students to view the exhibit, meet the artist, and explore creating their own artwork with natural materials.

Rascoe has exhibited across Kentucky and has won numerous awards. He was most recently recognized as a 2012 Tanne Foundation Award Recipient, a national recognition of artistic endeavors in culturally underserved communities and underappreciated forms of artistic expression. Rascoe’s work is also included in several permanent collections such as the Kentucky Folk Art Center, the Kentucky Arts and Crafts Foundation, and the Kentucky History Center.

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