Kentucky.gov: - KyCrafted_NewArtistsFY10

Arts Council
Kentucky Arts Council Selects Visual and Craft Artists to Participate in State Marketing Program

Press Release Date:	Monday, July 20, 2009
Contact Information:	Ed Lawrence Communications Director (502) 564-3757 ext. 473 ed.lawrence@ky.gov www.artscouncil.ky.gov

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Arts Council has accepted the art and craft products of 14 artists into the Kentucky Crafted program, a state-sponsored program that enables Kentucky artists to reach regional, national and international markets through wholesale and retail promotional opportunities.

The artists are Jennifer Evers, Louisville; Carole Gordon, Utica; Susan Grant, Fisherville; Debbie Graviss, Versailles; Tom Kinney, Westport; Staci Maney, Lexington; Twyla Money, East Bernstadt; Gretchen Papka, Versailles; Claire Raabe, Louisville; Melissa Ann Senetar, Berea; Amelia Stamps, Lexington; Cynthia Thompson, Fisherville; Jama Watts, Lebanon; and Martha Wetter, Versailles.

Acceptance into the program is based on artistic excellence in design and technique, originality (or authenticity for traditional work), and marketability, as judged by an independent panel of art and craft industry professionals. There are currently 509 juried artists in the Kentucky Crafted program.

Benefits of the program include the privilege of marketing under the Kentucky Crafted® brand; specialized business and marketing training for wholesale markets; eligibility to participate in cooperative advertising and promotional opportunities; a Web presence in the Kentucky Arts Council's artist directories; and the opportunity to sell work at the upcoming 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Kentucky Crafted: The Market, the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia and the Governor's Derby Celebration.

This year, in anticipation of increased marketing opportunities for Kentucky artists and craftspeople, there will be an additional review panel with an application deadline of September 15, 2009. For more information about the program, contact Arts Marketing Program Director Craig Kittner at (502) 564-3757 ext. 484, toll free 888-833-2787 or craig.kittner@ky.gov. To access guidelines, instructions and an application, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog9/kcmp_gdl.htm.

The Kentucky Arts Council is the state arts agency, creating 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.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Contact information for new participants in the Kentucky Crafted program is listed below, by county. Print quality photos of sample works are available upon request to ed.lawrence@ky.gov .

DAVIESS

Carole Gordon

Medium: Painting

(270) 733-2226

carole236@live.com

Utica, KY

FAYETTE

Staci Maney

Ollie Gee Designs

Medium: Mixed Media

(859) 797-2662

staci@olliegee.com