VOL. 12 NO. 6
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VOL. 12 NO. 6 |
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The Blue Moon is published bi-monthly by the
Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the
Commerce Cabinet.
Please send comments, questions and information to the Blue Moon, Kentucky Arts
Council, 500 Mero Street, 21st Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601-1987 or call
502-564-3757, toll free 1-888-833-2787.
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Kentucky to Host American Craft Council Southeast Region ConferenceThe Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft and the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program are proud to announce that Kentucky will be hosting the regional American Craft Council Southeast conference and Spotlight 2006 exhibition. The Spotlight exhibition will be on display from Thursday, January 12 through Saturday, March 25, 2006. The craft conference will take place on March 23, 24 and 25, 2006. Spotlight 2006 is a juried exhibition for craft artists residing in the eleven southeastern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Bruce W. Pepich, Executive Director and Curator of Collections for the Racine Art Museum as well as the Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts in Racine, Wisconsin, will be the juror the show. Pepich curates exhibitions of contemporary art, is a published writer on art and artists, and has served as a juror for over 50 national and international art competitions. The Keynote speaker will be internationally known tapestry weaver Helena Hernmarck, known for her very large scale "super realism" works included in many corporate settings. The Conference, jointly funded by the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft (KMAC) and the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program (KCMP), is a workshop series, including workshops presented by Craig Kaviar - copper repousse; Mary Pearse - jewelry/ metalsmithing; Carol Lebaron - acid dye resists on wool and silk; Lori Flood - felted vessels; Judy Belcher - polymer clay (millefiori); Leslie Blackford - polymer clay (moveable figures); Brook White - hot glass; Paul Nelson - glass fusing and slumping; Michael Davis - contemporary baskets; Jennifer Heller Zurick -traditional baskets; Jack Fifield - woodturning (beginner and intermediate); and Alice Ballard Munn - clay slabwork. The workshops will be held at KMAC and at other local venues including Barnes Hall at the Kentucky Center, Choice Woods, Flame Run and the Louisville Science Center. Spotlight 2006 is a juried exhibition for craft artists residing in the eleven southeastern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Bruce W. Pepich, Executive Director and Curator of Collections for the Racine Art Museum as well as the Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts in Racine, Wisconsin, will be the juror the show. Pepich curates exhibitions of contemporary art, is a published writer on art and artists, and has served as a juror for over 50 national and international art competitions. Downloadable prospectus for the SPOTLIGHT EXHIBITION is available at http://www.kentuckyarts.org/modules/downloads_v1/ACF1D5B.pdf. For a mailed prospectus, call (502) 589-0102. Due to delay in the mail affected by Hurricane Katrina, the deadline for submissions for the Spotlight exhibition has been extended to November 19th. |
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Customers enjoy colorful displays |
"We're especially excited to see so many families with young children visiting the center," said the center's Executive Director, Victoria Faoro. "The center offers us a wonderful opportunity to build future audiences for Kentucky's wonderful crafts and cultural heritage attractions."
The number of sales tickets handled at the center is up by 32%, meaning many new visitors are doing more then just stopping by, they are making purchases. And that is making Kentucky's artisans very happy. A recent survey found that 91% of those responding stated that their overall experience working with the Center had been "good" or "very good."
"We're excited by the increased number of people purchasing Kentucky-made items at the Center because that results in more revenues for artisans. Helping Kentucky artisans to more successfully support themselves through their work is a primary goal for our center," Faoro said.
Here are a few of the numbers:
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A visitor talks with demonstrating |
The center sends visitors directly to working studios and businesses in Berea and provides written referrals that put artisans throughout the state in touch with new customers. Since it opened in 2003, the center has sent more than 700 referrals that have resulted in commissioned work and new gallery wholesale accounts for artisans living throughout Kentucky. The center regularly promotes visits to other sites in Kentucky as an extension to current trips or as focal points for future travels in the state. "Our staff works hard to convert visitors into art and craft enthusiasts and cultural heritage tourists by promoting not just Kentucky-made products, but also the wide variety of Kentucky experiences available in Berea and all across the state," Faoro commented.
Increased marketing and highway signs get most of the credit for the soaring numbers. As motorists travel on interstate 75 in Central Kentucky, they now see blue and white highways signs announcing a "Travelers Center" with Kentucky arts and crafts, food, tourist information and rest rooms at exit 77 in Berea. Installed the end of May, these new interstate signs were made possible through a joint effort of the state's Commerce and Transportation Cabinets and have dramatically increased the number of travelers stopping at the center. Vacationers responding to the new signs may view the center initially as only a rest stop, but exhibits, colorful displays, and the center's friendly staff often entice them to further explore Kentucky.
Visitors find travel information from displays in the lobby, shop for exceptional Kentucky-made gifts, learn about regional events or places of interest, watch demonstrating artisans, and enjoy a hot meal, snack, or dessert and coffee in the Artisan Cafe's dining area or adjacent outdoor patio. The exhibitions are of interest to adults and children, and the demonstrating artisans at the center every Friday and Saturday capture the imaginations and interest of everyone.
One pleasantly surprised visitor who was heading south to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, wrote in the Center's guest book:
"Food surprisingly good and reasonably priced. A much better value than 'fast food' joints along the interstate and a pleasant break from the road. Well done! We are recommending to our governor that she do this in Arizona."
Other visitors recently wrote:
"Best stop on route from Alabama to New York!" -Clyde, New York
"You do yourselves proud with this facility and all the wonderful skilled artisans. Our second visit!" -Wesley Chapel, Florida
"Wonderful place! We stop 2-3 times a year en route to Florida!" - West Bloomfield, Michigan
"Very well done--and I appreciate the directions to Berea College Square, Old Town, and the individual artist studios." -Ogden, Vermont
Visitors are often amazed by the incredible array of handcrafted items and impressed by the craftsmanship, design and overall beauty of the building itself. In 2004, the facility received an award for its interior and exterior stonework from the Kentuckiana Masonry Institute. An adjoining nature trail, developed by Berea College, offers car-bound travelers a chance to stretch their legs. A paved bike trail into Berea, developed by Berea College and the Kentucky Highway Department, invites a longer look at the area.
The Kentucky Artisan Center is located just off Interstate 75 at exit 77 (Berea). The Center's exhibits, shopping, and travel information areas are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The cafe is open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information call 859-985-5448 or visit the center's web site at www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is an agency in the Commerce Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
