

2023
Minnie Adkins Day
Saturday, July 15, 2023


![]() Minnie Adkins, world famous Folk Artist. |
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![]() Mike and Minnie performing "The Bright Blue Rooster" song from their children's book of the same name at the first Minnie Adkins Day 2014. |
![]() Minnie displaying one of her many unique creations. |
![]() Little Sandy Lodge home of Minnie Adkins Day. |
![]() Minnie with some of her first pieces at her Peaceful Valley Folk Art Shop and Museum. |
![]() Minnie with Anita Skaggs owner of the Little Sandy Lodge. |
Hotels in the Area
Grayson
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Econo Lodge (606)474-7854
205 KY-1947, Grayson, Ky 41143
Quality Inn & Suites (606)474-0000
501 C W Stevens Blvd., Grayson, Ky 41143
West Liberty
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Days Inn by Wyndham West Liberty (606)743-4206
1613 W Main St., West Liberty, Ky 41472
Morehead
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Best Western Eagles Inn (606)784-5796
110 Toms dr., Morehead, Ky 40351
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Hampton Inn Morehead (606)780-0601
500 Hampton Way, Morehead, Ky 40351
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Comfort Inn & Suites (606)462-2141
2650 Ky-801 North. Morehead, Ky 40351
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Days Inn by Wyndham Morehead (606)783-1484
170 Toms Dr., Morehead, Ky 40351
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Redroof Inn (606)784-2220
175 Toms Dr., Morehead, Ky 40351
Ashland
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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ashland (606)929-1720
13131 Slone Ct., Ashland, Ky 41102
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Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Ashland (606)928-1222
10945 Route 60, Ashland, Ky 41102
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Ramada Limited Catlettsburg/Ashland (606)739-5700
6000 Crider Dr., Catlettsburg, Ky 41129
Among the best-known folk woodcarving artists in Kentucky is Minnie Adkins. She is adept at creating animal carvings and has given generous assistance to her various neighbors to help them in developing art careers of their own. Minnie is known for her red foxes, bears, possums, tigers and roosters. Her figures are smoothly carved and painted and the animal faces are distinctive. Minnie also carves and paints scenes from the Bible, but overall, her favorite subjects are animals.
To many in Kentucky, the twig roosters carved by Minnie Adkins are synonymous with the term “folk art.” She taught herself to carve as a child, and it was not until 1987 that she realized that others might be interested in buying her work. Not only were others interested, but the demand was so high that her then-husband, Garland Linville Adkins, began carving as well. Together the two artists created some of the most sought after folk art in the country.
Although Garland passed away in 1997, Minnie Adkins continued to create a diverse range of art, including pottery. In 1999 she married Herman Peters, and almost immediately inspired him to become an artist as well! Peters made giant iron roosters, among other things. After Herman’s death on June 6,2008, Minnie again continued to create her folk art now assisted by her grandson, Greg Adkins and her son Mike Adkins.
She is featured in a short documentary film and many publications. In the late 1980s, Minnie and Garland founded “A Day in the Country”, a folk art fair that features works by over 50 folk artists from Kentucky and nine other states. Now held at Morehead Kentucky “ A Day in the Country” grows every year. The American Folk Art Museum, The Smithsonian, The National Gallery of Art and many more collect Minnie’s work. Many critics consider her one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. Minnie continues to carve her iconic figures and collaborate on children's books. Her home county, Elliott, has designated the 3rd Saturday in July as a day to honor and celebrate it’s own resident Folk Artist.
"Minnie Adkins is the most important female wood carver in America."
Matt Collinsworth,
Director of the Kentucky
Folk Art Center