FRANKFORT, Ky. — In an effort to support local businesses and encourage the purchase of Kentucky-made holiday gifts, the Kentucky Arts Council has partnered with other organizations across the state to promote Kentucky artists.

Subscribers to Kentucky Monthly magazine will receive a special Holiday Gift Guide, featuring items produced by artists who have been selected for Kentucky Arts Council programs based on artistic excellence. Shoppers can find bath and body products, Christmas ornaments, dolls, home décor, jewelry, music, notecards, paintings, photographs, prints and other handmade items. Work by these artists can also be reviewed from the artist directories at http://bit.ly/KACartistdirectories.

The arts council has also launched a Twitter campaign to promote gift ideas, holiday open house and open studio events and retailers carrying merchandise made by artists selected to participate in the arts council’s Kentucky Crafted Program. Search #giveagiftfromky for daily tweets through Dec. 22.

In addition, the arts council is promoting Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26, a national effort organized by American Express to encourage shoppers to shop locally and support small businesses. A listing of shops recommended by Kentucky Crafted artists is available on the arts council’s website at http://artscouncil.ky.gov.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, 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.

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