Crystal Anniversary - 15 Years - A Clear View of the Arts of Kentucky

Botanical Letters Drawn from Life by Laura Poulette who is teaching a workshop at the Center on July 20.

 

July 2018, marks the Kentucky Artisan Center’s 15th year as Kentucky’s premier showcase for the arts. This Crystal Anniversary will be celebrated throughout the summer and fall and includes multiple gallery exhibits, hands-on workshops during the month of July in conjunction with Berea’s Festival of Learnshops, weekly artist demonstrations, readings, special programs and more!

Since 2003, the Kentucky Artisan Center has welcomed travelers and showcased the creative works of Kentucky’s talented artists. Initially representing 250 artisans and welcoming 202,000 visitors, the Center currently offers works by over 800 Kentucky artists and welcomes 300,000 visitors annually.

From July 13-29, during Berea’s Festival of Learnshops, the Center will host 10 Learnshops, including: Beginning Quilting with Janet Serrenho; Building Shaker Boxes with Will Bondurant; Drawn from Life Botanical Letters with Laura Poulette; Creating gourd Art with Donna Smith; Cornbread & Biscuit Basketry with Beth Hester; Appalachian Dough Bowls with Ron McWhorter; Drawing with Ink and Pencil with Bill Berryman; Gourd Art for Kids & Family with Donna Smith; Carving a Limestone Bird with Mike McCarthy and Shaker Style Basket Trays with Will Bondurant.

Complete descriptions of these Berea Festival of Learnshop classes and sign-up can be done online at www.visitberea.com or by calling Berea Tourism at 859-986-2540.

Special anniversary exhibits include “Show & Tell – 15 Years” an exhibit that features the work of the Centers demonstrating artists who regularly bring the creative process to light for visitors.  On display through August 31, this show offers new works by 39 artists with photos, biographies, and videos of their demonstrations.

In the Center’s lobby the exhibit, “Ray Papka – Juxtaposition” features the mixed media works of this Versailles, KY artist. Papka uses assemblage, encaustic painting, and use of books as substrates and intricate embellishments in his works. Each piece generates layers of information and mystery from observations, events and the influence of science in the artist’s life. The exhibit runs through October 31, 2018.

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea currently features works by more than 800 artisans from more than 100 counties across the Commonwealth. For more information about events call 859-985-5448, or visit the center’s website or Facebook page.

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is an agency in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

 

Shaker boxes by Will Bondurant teaching a workshop at the Center on July 18 and 19; Appalachian Dough Bowls by Ron McWhorter teaching a workshop on July 17; Mike McCarthy carving alabaster - his workshop at the Kentucky Artisan Center will be held July 14th.

For more information contact: gwen.heffner@ky.gov 

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