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The BlueMoon is published bi-monthly by the Kentucky Arts Council. Please
send comments, questions and information to The Blue Moon, Kentucky Arts
Council, Old Capitol Annex, 300 West Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601-1980 or call
502/564-3757V/TDD Toll Free: 1-888-833-2787
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This year's Market slogan, "We Got It Made In Kentucky," reflects how fortunate we are in Kentucky to have an active and supportive state arts and craft industry program. Retailer and wholesale buyers can also say, "We got it made in Kentucky." Nearly 300 exhibitors are expected to participate in the 2003 Market. Joining The Market for the first time will be 62 new exhibitors in the following categories: KCMP juried participants (39), food section (5), out-of-state guests (6), publishers (3), visual artists (6), Kentucky Wood Products Competitiveness Corporation exhibitors (3), and Kentucky organizations (7). For the first time ever, product development grants are available to the craft and visual art exhibitors at The Market to work with buyers, including state park gift shops, in developing products that the buyers would like to have on their retail shelves. The new Gallery Section, featuring 42 exhibitors, offers an exhibit area to juried participants and visual artists with unique, one-of-a-kind or limited-production items. The gallery has drawn artists that normally would not participate in The Market. In addition to KCMP's already extensive buyers' marketing campaign, special marketing promotions are being mailed to buyer lists targeted for gallery owners, interior designers, museum gift shops and architects, to name a few. This enterprising effort to bring niche product and buyer together is yet another example of the KCMP's commitment to supporting Kentucky artisans. The Kentucky Collection will be on display. This selection of Kentucky crafts, visual art, food, music, books and videos is being test-marketed in twelve retail outlets in the state. Now in its second year as a pilot project of the KCMP, the Collection is currently being evaluated to determine the next steps for its continuance. Ninety-five vendors are currently part of the Kentucky Collection and were selected through an application process as participants of the KCMP, Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Arts Council, and book publishers who exhibit at The Market. Special events at The Market include a buyers breakfast and workshop sponsored by The Kentucky Retail Federation, a statewide advocacy group that represents the retail community in Kentucky. The breakfast and workshop will feature Lynn Allinger, a nationally-renowned craft retailer as guest speaker. Allinger, co-owner of Craft Company No. 6 in Rochester, New York, a contemporary American gallery that specializes in handmade jewelry, gifts, accessories and art objects, will also act as the official booth judge for the booth awards. The awards will be given during the annual Awards Dinner, sponsored in part by National Processing Company (NPC). The KCMP and Department of Agriculture will partner with the Kentucky Retail Federation in presenting Retailer Awards to an outstanding in-state retailer, a Kentucky Proud food retailer, a Kentucky state park gift shop manager, and an out-of-state retailer. A silent auction of items donated by exhibitors will be held, and the proceeds will help fund new exhibitor scholarships for next year's Market. This is one way in which the Craft Marketing Program can help develop new craft businesses and provide an influx of new products into the show for the wholesale buyers. The Kentucky Arts Council (KAC) will again promote the work of artists who have received Kentucky Arts Council Fellowships or who have been accepted into programs, such as the Performing Arts on Tour Directory. The booth will sell (wholesale & retail) the books of Kentucky writers, CDs and cassettes of Kentucky recording artists, and the works of Kentucky film and video makers. Performers on the Kentucky Cultural Stage will have CD's and cassettes for sale in the KAC booth. The Kentucky Cultural Stage at Kentucky Crafted: The Market spotlights performing artists from the Kentucky Arts Council's Performing Arts on Tour Directory and the Kentucky Folklife Program's Tour of Kentucky Folk Music. Folk, bluegrass, jazz, thumb-picking guitar, and gospel music will be well-represented on Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 2. Ongoing demonstrations by KCMP juried participants will be sponsored by exhibiting Kentucky craft organizations and KCMP Market exhibitors. The Kentucky Historical Society, The Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation, and The Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will sponsor the children's hands- on educational activities. To truly grasp the grandeur of all the events and participants in this "Cultural Showcase of Kentucky's Finest," see the official Market program to be published by Arts Across Kentucky magazine (spring 2003 edition) and available at www.kyartsandcrafts.com. KENTUCKY COLLECTION STORES - 2001 - 2002A Project of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program
Free Art & Craft Guide Available!Kentucky art, craft, and tourism go hand in hand in the Bluegrass State. By popular demand, the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program and Kentucky Department of Travel announce the reprinting of A Sampler of Kentucky Art and Craft. Free for the asking, this guide has proven to be a valuable asset to folks exploring the treasures of the commonwealth. The 23-page brochure offers visitors more than 60 select travel options related to crafting in Kentucky. The sampler is divided into four geographically based sections: Bluegrass; Eastern; Southern; and Western. Each section highlights juried artisan members of the Craft Marketing Program, craft retail outlets, museums, and galleries. The guide also details craft-related events, attractions and resources. Carole Summers, Kentucky's Cultural and Heritage Tourism coordinator, edited the publication. "This is, really, Tourism's first effort at publicizing the high quality of art and craft in Kentucky," Summers said. "The guide not only showcases that level of craftsmanship, but also emphasizes our rich history, as well." Bob Stewart, Commissioner of the Department of Travel, added, "Now our visitors have a guide specifically designed for them, that will allow - and encourage - exploration of the incredible wealth of Kentucky's artists and craftspeople." A free copy of A Sampler of Kentucky Art and Craft is available from the Kentucky Department of Travel by phone, 1-800-225-TRIP (8747), e-mail, mail KDT, 500 Mero Street, 22nd Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601 or online, where Kentucky's vast travel opportunities can be explored.
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Articles
The
Kentucky Craft Marketing (KCMP) staff is busy preparing for the 22nd annual
Kentucky handcrafted gift market, Kentucky Crafted: The Market, 2003, scheduled
for February 27 and 28, for trade days, and March 1 & 2, for the public
days. For the eighth year, The Market has been selected as one of the top
twenty events in the southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. Kentucky still
holds the distinction of being one of the few states in the country to sponsor
a wholesale/retail show for its craft businesses. "The Market serves as a major
sales outlet for Kentucky businesses and generates 2 to 3 million dollars in
sales, annually," said Fran Redmon, Kentucky Craft Marketing Program
Director.
