BEREA, Ky. (March 17, 2005) – At the 24th annual “Kentucky Crafted: The Market”  the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea received the top in-state “Retailer of the Year Award” for the second year in a row. This award is given to a retailer nominated and voted upon by craftspeople and constituents. As a second year recipient in this category, the Kentucky Artisan Center will now be retired from the competition and become a member of the “Retailer Hall of Fame.”

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet, opened on July 31, 2003, with over 5,000 square feet of shopping and exhibition space. The Center sold a million dollars worth of Kentucky crafts, paintings, music, books and specialty foods during its first year of operation. The Center represents over 520 vendors, adding numerous new artisans from this years Market. The Kentucky Artisan Center’s director, Victoria Faoro, who previously was the founding director of the Museum of the American Quilter Society in Paducah, accepted the “2005 Retailer of the Year Award” from Commerce Cabinet Executive Director of Arts and Humanities Lindy Casebier at the awards ceremony March 4.   

The Kentucky Artisan Center features special exhibitions throughout the year and programming includes artisan demonstrations, book signings, food tastings, dance, musical performances and readings. The Artisan Center Café offers delicious traditional Kentucky cuisine, vegetarian entrees and desserts and is open from 8:00 am – 7:30 pm.

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. 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.