Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
Berea College Brooms Made by Anna Singleton at Kentucky Artisan Center

Press Release Date:  Wednesday, October 04, 2006  
Contact Information:  Gwen Heffner
Information Specialist
gwen.heffner@ky.gov
Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
Phone: 859/ 985-5448
Fax: 859/ 985-5449
 


On Saturday, October 7, Berea College sophmore Anna Singleton of the Berea College Student Industries program, will create brooms from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.

Berea College has been the home of 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.

Students work in broomcraft and other craft programs for sometimes their entire college career. They become adept in the techniques required to make the wide variety of brooms the college produces. Students learn every step in the process, from shredding the broomcorn to the final broom stitching. Braiding is one of the final steps to the finished product, requiring dexterity, practice and skill.

Brooms made by the Berea College Student Industries program are regularly found at the Kentucky Artisan Center, 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 650 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.



 

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Broomcorn and tools used to make Berea College Brooms at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.