Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
AmericanStyle Readers Rank Berea Among Top 25 Art Cities- Award Presentation & Reception May 27

Readers of AmericanStyle magazine recommend Berea, KY, as a top destination for collectors and travelers who love art galleries, museums and arts festivals. 

The magazine’s readers have named Berea among America’s Top 25 Arts Destinations, a designation that is coveted by tourism and arts promoters. Berea has been ranked No. 24 among small cities, a category that includes such destinations as Santa Fe, NM (#1); Asheville, NC (#2); Sedona, AZ (#3); Taos, NM (#4); Sarasota, FL (#11); and Aspen, CO (#16). Berea is the only Kentucky city in 2009 to receive this recognition.

While AmericanStyle’s readers are arts travel enthusiasts, many are also supporters of their local arts scenes.  “Art lovers know they can make a positive impact by buying from local galleries and local artists, so their dollars recycle in the community and support homegrown talent,” says magazine publisher Wendy Rosen.

This honor reinforces Berea’s designation as the “Folk Arts & Craft Capital of Kentucky”.  The town of Berea has long been known as a great travel destination with Berea College’s tradition of craft, Berea’s quality arts festivals, fine craft shops and galleries, working artisan studios, Berea Arts Council activities, community music and dance activities, and ongoing exhibits, opportunities and events at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.    

To celebrate Berea being recognized as a one of the Nation’s top 25 Arts Destinations, the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is hosting a public reception at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, May 27. At 10:00 AM Marcheta Sparrow, Secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, will present a plaque on behalf of AmericanStyle magazine to Berea Mayor Steven Connelly. This celebration is free and open to the public.

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is located at 975 Walnut Meadow Road, 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 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. The Center currently features works by more than 650 artisans from over 100 counties 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 Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.

AmericanStyle magazine, a lifestyle publication for arts enthusiasts, collectors and travelers, recognizes the power of the arts in promoting economic development and community revitalization. Through the poll, readers tell AmericanStyle where they’ve been going to view, enjoy and shop for great art. They share their discoveries of new and upcoming galleries and museums, arts tours and public installations, all of which help the magazine showcase emerging destinations as well as old favorites. Complete results of the readers’ poll can be found at www.americanstyle.com and in the June 2009 issue of AmericanStyle, now on newsstands and at top booksellers.