Frankfort, Kentucky -- For the fifth year, the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program and the Department of Agriculture have partnered with the Kentucky Retail Federation, a statewide group that represents the retail community in Kentucky, in presenting the Kentucky Crafted Retailer Awards to an outstanding in-state retailer, a Kentucky Proud food retailer, a Kentucky state park gift shop manager, and an out-of-state retailer. These four important categories of retailers provide outlets for Kentucky producers to sell their products not only around the state, but beyond Kentucky’s borders as well. Winners were honored at the Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2004 Awards Dinner on Friday, February 27, 2004, held at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center, Louisville, in conjunction with Kentucky Crafted: The Market.

This year’s top retailer award recipients were: Bluestem Missouri Crafts, Columbia, (Missouri) for Top Out-Of-State Retailer; The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, for Top Kentucky Retailer; Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz, for Top Kentucky State Park Retailer; and Liquor Barn, Lexington/Louisville, for Top Kentucky Proud Food Retailer. Nominations were made by Market exhibitors and based on quantities of Kentucky Crafted inventory ordered by the nominees, promotional efforts, and positive relationships with vendors. Bluestem Missouri Crafts also won this award in 2001, putting them in the “retired” category for this award.

"With so many wonderful craft retailers in Kentucky, we feel honored to have received this award! We have been pleased with the success the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea has enjoyed during its first seven months, and we look forward to a very busy summer season. The Center continues to be proud to feature works by so many outstanding Kentucky artisans!" said Victoria Faoro, Executive Director, Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.
 
The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program is a state agency in the Kentucky Arts Council, Commerce Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky.  For more information, call 888 KY CRAFT (592-7238,) ext. 4801; or visit the Program's site at www.kycraft.ky.gov.

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Since 1981, the Craft Marketing Program's mission is to develop the state's craft industry, support and empower Kentucky artisans and craftspeople, create an economically viable environment for craft entrepreneurs, preserve the state's craft traditions, stimulate and support product development, and generate public awareness, public support and public/private partnerships.

The Program provides assistance to Kentucky residents, individuals, or groups wanting to develop as craft professionals through economic opportunities and training, to other outside entities (e.g., craft retailers, craft and art organizations, community and government agencies), and the general public. The craft industry in Kentucky contributes 252 million dollars in annual sales and Kentucky is recognized as a model state for its craft programs and its role in the $14 billion national craft industry.