Arts Council
Kentucky Arts Council announces awards for Kentucky Crafted: The Market

FRANKFORT, Ky. —  Kentucky Crafted: The Market, held March 4-7, 2010, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky., enjoyed many successes due to the high quality of exhibitors and attending retailers who are the core of the marketplace.

Each year participating exhibitors nominate top retailers based on sales, professionalism and promotion of the Kentucky Crafted brand. This year, the Top Kentucky Retailer Award went to Damselfly Gallery in Midway, owned by Eric and Mary Thoreson. The Top Out-of-State Retailer Award went to Hidden Hill Nursery and Sculpture Garden, Utica, Ind., owned by Bob and Janet Hill. Each business was awarded $250 for advertising or promotion of Kentucky Crafted products within their business.

Exhibitors received the following awards, judged by John Begley, gallery director, Allen R. Hite Art Institute, University of Louisville:

·         Mark Whitley Limited Edition Furniture, Smiths Grove, Ky., won the Best of Show Exhibitor Award, based on the quality of product and presentation.

·         Susie Hatcher Pottery, Louisville, Ky., received the Best Overall Booth Design Award.

·         Gretchen Papka, Versailles, Ky., received the Best New Kentucky Exhibitor Award, based on product appeal and booth design.

·         Rhanna Nyman, Hangin' by a Thread, Asheville, N.C., received the award for Best New Out-of-State Exhibitor, based on product appeal and booth design.

Exhibitors at Kentucky Crafted: The Market awarded Kathleen O'Brien Studio, Harrodsburg, Ky., the Exhibitor's Choice Award based on overall booth display.

Deborah and James Greene, Life Celebrations Art Design Studio, LaGrange, Ky., received the Excellence in Accessibility Award. This new award is designed to raise accessibility awareness among artists exhibiting in a fair or festival environment.  Selection was based on the following criteria: booth has a clear path of travel with no obstacles; merchandise is displayed at multiple sight and hand levels; booth contains multiple viewing areas; floor surface within the booth is even; counter height is appropriate; accessible printed materials are displayed or available; and booth design is appealing to a variety of senses. Martha Newman, director, Access Services, Kentucky Center, and Sarah Schmitt, arts access director, Kentucky Arts Council, served as judges.

Booth award winners will receive booth discounts for Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2011.

The Kentucky Arts Council chose a giclée print, "Roebling Bridge," by Michael Maydak as the Purchase Award. Maydak is an artist from Covington, Ky., exhibiting as Comrade Comics.

Lenville Maxwell, of Marshes Siding in McCreary County, Ky., received the Glenn Volunteer Award for outstanding volunteer contributions at The Market.  The award is named after perennial volunteers Donna and David Glenn, of Louisville, who have volunteered their services at every Kentucky Crafted: The Market since 1991.

Kentucky Crafted: The Market is produced by the Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency that creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Print quality photos of award recipients are available upon request to ed.lawrence@ky.gov.

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