BEREA, KY. – On Friday, June 3, the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea will host over 100 members of CODA, the Craft Organization Development Association, and have artisan demonstrations in basketry, painting, blacksmithing and music from 10:30 – 3:30 at the Center. CODA membership includes leaders of arts organizations from throughout the United States and Canada. The conference titled “Building Communities – Partnerships in Craft” will be held in Berea on June 3, and in Hindman on June 4.

June 3 special events at the Kentucky Artisan Center will include demonstrations in four different mediums. Basketmaker Janet Northern of Mt. Vernon, will create her assymetrical and unusual honeysuckle baskets, Berea College professor Neil diTeresa will be demonstrating acrylic painting, and blacksmith Bob Montgomery will be forging steel in the courtyard of the Artisan Center from 10:30-3:30 pm. Well-known Berea musicians Al and Alice White will be playing music throughout the Center from 12:30 – 1:00 pm and again from 1:30 -2:00 that day. In addition, the exhibition “A Kentucky Folk Art Sampler” will be on display with a short gallery talk about the exhibit given periodically throughout the day.

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 620 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.