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

BEREA, Ky. (March 14, 2005) -- On Friday, March 18, the Berea Welcome Center Carvers will gather to both cut-it-up and carve wood as they talk, laugh, and demonstrate woodcarving for visitors from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.

This regional woodcarving group is organized by Berea artisan John Adams who teaches woodcarving in the Continuing Education Program at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond. Members of the Berea Welcome Center Carvers have nearly all studied with Adams, and they gather each month at the Kentucky Artisan Center to help each other, share information among themselves and with Center visitors. The more than 20-member group includes carvers from beginners to masters from all over Central Kentucky. Artisans demonstrating on March 18, will be Dan Springer of Lexington, Andy Mayers of Lancaster, David Buzzard of Lexington, and Robert Beddow of Richmond. Most carvers in this group carve in-the-round figures and generally have a good time together, laughing, talking, and carving.

Woodcarving is an ancient art found in every culture and part of the world. Carving styles include whittling, line carving, chip carving, pierced carving, relief carving, in-the-round carving (sculpture), architectural carving and chainsaw carving. Woodcarvings are classified as realistic, caricaturized or stylized (without specific features). Woods used for carving are walnut, butternut, catalpa, cedar, basswood or buckeye.
 
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea 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 470 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.
      
High Resolution Photos available upon request. Contact: gwen.heffner@ky.gov