Gwen Heffner
Information Specialist
Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
gwen.heffner@ky.gov
Phone: 859/ 985-5448
Fax: 859/ 985-5449

BEREA, KY. – On Saturday, May 14, Berea College student, Amber Rascoe, will be demonstrating broomaking from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.
   
Berea College has a century-long tradition of preserving and creating Appalachian folk arts and crafts. The College Student Crafts Program is one of many labor departments and learning environments in which Berea College students work as part of their liberal arts education. Broomcraft has been a part of the Berea College Student Craft Program since 1920 when equipment from a broom factory was given to the college.

Amber Rascoe, a freshman student from Indiana, works in the broomcraft department, and she is adept in the techniques required to make the wide variety of brooms the college produces. Students in the broomcraft division must master every step in the broomaking process, from shredding the broomcorn to the final broom stitching. Braiding, which requires dexterity, practice and skill, is one of the final steps she will do in her demonstration to create the finished product. Berea College Student Craft Program brooms are regularly featured at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.

The Kentucky Artisan Center is located just off Interstate 75 at exit 77 (Berea). The Center’s exhibits, shopping, and travel information areas are all open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the café from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. The Center currently features works by more than 520 artisans from all across the Commonwealth. 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.