Craft Marketing Program
Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2006 To Feature, Country Music Highway-Route 23, Sponsored by The Kentucky Folklife Program

Kentucky Crafted:  The Market ‘s Demonstration Area, sponsored by the Kentucky Folklife Program, will be featuring an important cultural corridor in Eastern Kentucky—Route 23. This National Scenic Byway was officially designated the Country Music Highway because it is the home place of more country music stars than any other road.

The Demonstration Area, located in the center of The Market, will offer shoppers a chance to purchase the newly released 4-CDandguidebook titled, More than Music:  A Heritage Driving Tour of Kentucky’s Route 23, narrated by Ricky Skaggs.  The tour package features music, stories, maps, and travel tips that enhance any traveler’s experience of the scenic highway.

An exhibit featuring artifacts from the Country Music Highway will give Market visitors a glimpse of this exciting new tour. “Promoters expect the first editions of the tour to sell quickly as spring and summer travelers learn about it. Market shoppers will have the first opportunity to buy this unique and informative driving tour package, said Bob Gates, director of the Kentucky Folklife Program. 

Musicians and craft artists who are part of the tour will meet visitors and talk about how life along Highway 23 influences their art.  Master fiddler Roger Cooper represents a unique Northeastern Kentucky fiddle tradition influenced by early French and German settlers.  Roger and his apprentice Michael Garvin will discuss their techniques and how they learned their tunes from other master fiddlers from Lewis County.  Members of the artist community started by Minnie Adkins will share their folk art, while young musicians from the Cowan Creek Mountain Music School will explain their passion for stringed instruments.  Also present will be the Mt. Sinai Volunteers, who represent generations of gospel singing that comes from African American coal mining communities.  Market visitors will have a chance to watch and hear all these artists perform on the Cultural Stage at 11:00 Saturday, March 4th and noon on Sunday, March 5th. 

The Kentucky Folklife Program is an interagency program of the Kentucky Arts Council and the Kentucky Historical Society.  Also celebrating Route 23, the Kentucky Historical Society hosts a hands-on children’s educational activity at the Market.  Families can be inspired by the folk art of Minnie Adkins’ community and create sculptures from “found” art supplies.  The Historical Society’s Museum Theatre presents a Spotlight Series tribute to Jean Ritchie, performed by dulcimer players Bob and Susie Hutchison, on Saturday’s Cultural Stage.   

The Market features nearly 300 exhibitors of fine traditional, folk and contemporary crafts, two-dimensional visual art, musical recordings, books and food products plus Kentucky cultural entertainment and children’s craft activities.

The Folklife Program is an inter-agency program of the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council. The Market is produced by the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, a division of the Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet. For more information, call 888-KYCRAFT (592-7238), local (502) 564-3757, or visit www.kycraft.ky.gov.

For more information, call 888 KY CRAFT (592-7238), local (502) 564-3757 or visit our web site at: www.kycraft.ky.gov.

If you plan to attend:

Public Days March 4 - 5

Saturday, 9am - 6pm - Sunday, 10am - 5pm, (EST)

Adults $8 Children (ages 15 and under Free) Parking $5

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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.