Children's art activities will be a big part of the Washington-Wilkes Arts Foundation's Fall ArtFest 2009 set for November 7-8. Preparations for the Washington- Wilkes Arts Foundation's Fall Art- Fest 2009 are approaching completion, said organizer Debbie Wells, with both favorite artists returning and new artists to be displaying their work for the first time.

"Artists this year are exceptional," she said, "with many past favorites as well as artists who have heard about Washington and are showing for the first time. ArtFest is sure to be an exciting weekend for all of us as we meet the artists and enjoy their talent."

As in years past, the ArtFest will feature free children's activities Saturday at the Court Street Livery from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. "Polly Fievet and her host of volunteers are preparing to make this a memorable time for our children with seven stations where kids can create art. We need people in the community to save paper towel rolls and Pringles cans for the next three weeks and drop them by Fievet Pharmacy," Wells said. "We are going to use them for one of the art projects."

In addition to returning artists like Lincolnton's folk artist Leonard Jones, photographer Sally Ross, returning favorites expected from previous ArtFests include painter Anne Ray, photographer John Weber, and jewelry artist Ellen Cowne.

In addition to returning artists, the show will feature art from inmates at the Wilkes Pre-release Center, Wells said. "We will have a large exhibit of 'prison art' this year from the early release center. You will not believe what these men have done and the materials they have used to create their art! It is simply amazing."

Washington Wilkes Arts Founda- tion members are invited to a Saturday get-together at Holly Court Inn to meet the artists and sample the culinary creations of Chef Aaron Rothman, Wells said. "This will be a special evening."

Anyone wishing to join the Washington Wilkes Arts Foundation can do so, she said, by sending a check to P.O. Box 428 Washington. "Beginning levels are $35 single membership and $60 for a family, but we encourage contributing at the most generous level possible. This membership entitles our members to participate in the satisfying work of promoting the arts in our area, particularly as it relates to children."