An exhibit of folk art opens February 26 at the Upstairs Artspace with a public reception Saturday, February 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. Looking Back, Walking Forward: Evolution of Southern Folk Art features 50 artists and more than 200 works. Much of the art is from the collection of Ted and Ann Oliver who operate Olivers Southern Folk Art Gallery in Flat Rock. All work is for sale.

The shows theme is folk arts colorful history and fascinating trends. Folk art is a grass-roots movement that started in rural America and continues to make a statement about Southern culture, says Ted Oliver. Were illustrating that as issues change, folk art changes.

The roster of artists includes legends like Jimmy Lee Sudduth and Mose Tolliver, bestsellers like Cornbread Anderson and Michael Banks, and younger innovators like Gabriel Shaffer and Sarah Rakes. The artists range from self-taught outsiders to adapters of the popular genre. Many artists are in national and international museum collections and are coveted by folk art connoisseurs.

Oliver will give an informal lecture, Challenging the Definition of Folk Art, Tuesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. A series of films about folk artists will play on March 9, 16 and 23, at 7 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit runs through April 10. Call 828-859-2828 for information.