Kentucky is resplendent with the arts of all disciplines and several areas of the state have taken particular advantage of this fact by establishing centers and trails that highlight the commonwealth’s riches in talent. Discover the beautiful things that are hand made right in your own backyard.
Follow any of the 16 Kentucky Artisan Heritage Trails and see interesting places, exciting events, eat wonderful food and spot and visit the locations where many Kentucky artisans work. Many have galleries where their work is for sale. The driving tours are designed to provide a taste of local culture amid Kentucky’s scenic beauty. Detailed maps of the routes and extensive lists of places to visit are listed on the KAHT website at www.kaht.com.
In Hindman, the Appalachian Artisan Center was begun to develop a new, thriving artist-based economy in eastern Kentucky. The center has more than 150 juried members who display and sell work in the gallery. Jewelry, pottery, woven rugs, books, paintings, photography, furniture, toys, quilts, baskets and much more are available from artists who work in 49 counties in the eastern part of the state. Located in scenic Knott County, the center is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains and features a café located inside the shop. There’s more information on the center at http://www.artisancenter.net/.
The Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea opened in 2003 with 25,000 square feet dedicated to fine Kentucky-made products and tons of hospitality right off of I-75. Themed exhibitions and retail space show off exquisite work by artisans and information about them, as well. Work includes glass, pottery, woodworking, metal work, paper, jewelry, specialty foods, music and books. Visitors can sample Kentucky cuisine at two venues, the Grill and the Café Express, and choose several informal indoor or outdoor dining experiences. See more at http://www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov/.
Just 2.5 miles away from the artisan center is Berea, known as the Folk Arts and Craft Capital of Kentucky, where more than 40 artists and gallery owners call home. Founded around Berea College in the mid 1800’s, the charming town hosts the semi-annual Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen fall and spring fairs and much more. Check out http://www.berea.com/ for additional information.
Paducah has revitalized its oldest downtown neighborhood creating the Lowertown Arts District, a result of the city’s award-winning Artist Relocation Program. A collaborative public/private effort, the area is now home to art studios, galleries,
shopping and restaurants and has brought economic growth to downtown Paducah. This historic town at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers experienced a renaissance when it created the artist relocation program which offered artists willing to move to Lowertown affordable real estate, financial incentives, relaxed zoning laws, and marketing support. Because of this nationally recognized program, there is a growing community of more than 70 artists, more than half with public spaces. The charming visitor’s center is housed in a tiny 1917 Texaco station in the center of the neighborhood. Additional information is on the web at http://lowertownartdistrict.com/ or http://www.paducaharts.com/.
Another treasure is Appalshop, located at the base of scenic Pine Mountain in Whitesburg. The non-profit, multi-disciplinary arts and education center in the heart of Appalachia was begun in 1969 as an economic development project of the War on Poverty. It has grown into a nationally and internationally recognized media center working in film, video, recordings, literature, theater, presentation of live performance and radio that celebrates cultural diversity as a positive social value. Its programs and services reach several million people each year. More information is available at http://www.appalshop.org/
Kentucky has unlimited amounts of things to see and do without spending a lot of cash on gas to “discover your own backyard”. Go to http://kentuckytourism.com/ or http://www.mykentuckybackyard.com/ to check out attractions and events statewide.
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Kentuckians can log on to the web site www.mykentuckybackyard.com to get coupons to visit state events and attractions.
This “Discover Your Own Back Yard” travel column is produced twice monthly by the Department of Travel to help promote Kentucky events and travel destinations. For more information about these and other tourism opportunities, visit www.kentuckytourism.com
Editors: To obtain photographs related to this column, please click here.