Beau Haddock   Media Communications / Marketing

(502) 564-9738

             Each year the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program (KCMP), a division of the Kentucky Arts Council (KAC), produces Kentucky Crafted: The MARKET, a state sponsored wholesale/retail event featuring over 300 exhibitors of the state’s finest contemporary and traditional crafts producers, writers and publishers, two-dimensional artists, performers, folk artists, and agricultural specialty producers. The Market also features live performances on the Cultural Stage, the One-of-a-kind Gallery Section (returning for 2005), the premier of the Designer Showcase, and the Hands-on Children’s Educational Activity.

             The Hands-on Children’s Educational Activity area plays an important role keeping young hands busy and inspiring children to be creative while parents have a chance to shop during the Market. Children ages 4-14 will be in good hands with staff from The Little Loom House teaching hands-on weaving basics through out the day. The Kentucky Historical Society  (Frankfort) will sponsor activities related to rivers in Kentucky. Children will have the opportunity to create their own fish prints and learn about the importance of rivers in Kentucky through boat building demonstrations and hands-on activities inspired by the Kentucky History Center’s exhibit, A River Runs Through Us.

          Visit the award-winning annual Kentucky Crafted: The Market, March 5, Saturday 9 am-6 pm and March 6, Sunday 10 am-5pm (EST) at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, South Wing A, Louisville. General admission for adults is $8.00, children 15 and under is free. Parking is $5.00. A limited number of wheelchairs will be available upon request. Visit the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program web site, www.kycraft.ky.gov, for the official program guide and a $1.00-off admission coupon.

The Market is produced by the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, a division of in the Kentucky Arts Council, Commerce Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky. For more information, call 888 KY CRAFT (592-7238), local, (502) 564-8076, or visit 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.