A ‘grass roots’ arts festival is set for the weekend of May 16-17, just opposite Georgia’s state capitol.

On the grounds and in the courtyard of Central Presbyterian Church, 201 Washington St., S.W., the festival will feature are of all kinds, puppets, strolling musicians, a festival atmosphere.

Goal, one sponsor says: “to help folks who don’t normally meet, get together.”

The Grass Roots Arts Festival is sponsored by six groups: Trinity United Methodist Church, Rice Memorial Presbyterian Church, Central Presbyterian Church, the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Georgia Avenue Presbyterian Church and the Capitol Homes Tenants Association.

Norman Kohn, an Atlanta artist and member of the planning committee, explains that “we wanted to provide inner city residents and members of the sponsoring church congregations - and the city - an opportunity to come together and know one another better through a common interest in the arts.”

The festival will offer an opportunity for individuals and groups to exhibit and sell their work.

It will be open to all forms of two and three-dimensional arts and crafts: painting, drawings, prints, photography, film, sculpture and all crafts.

The festival, sponsors say, is also open to all forms of the performing arts: dance, theatre, puppets, poetry, multi-media and musical performances.

Exhibitors of performers may be anyone living in the inner city, or a member of one of the sponsoring institutions.

There is no entry fee or jury, and there are no age restrictions, planners say. Each artist is free to exhibit any of his work that he wishes, except for items which the policy committee feel would “seriously compromise the family nature of the festival.” Exhibition space will be assigned on a first come basis until all spaces are filled, at which time entries will be closed.’

Each exhibitor is responsible for his own work or equipment, and for transacting sale of his work. The artist, festival planners add, will receive the full amount of his sale with no commission to the churches or festival.

“The Festival is designed as a family experience,” Kohn explains. “We hope that all ages, from the youngest to the oldest, will participate.” This is the first of what the sponsoring groups hope will become an annual arts festival for the inner city.