Beau Haddock   Media Communications / Marketing

(502) 564-9738

            Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2005 marks the sixth year, the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, a division of the Kentucky Arts Council, and the Department of Agriculture will partner with the Kentucky Retail Federation in presenting the Kentucky Crafted Retailer Awards to an outstanding in-state retailer, a Kentucky Proud food producer, a Kentucky state park gift shop, and an out-of- state retailer. These four  categories of retailers provide important outlets to Kentucky producers for selling their products. Nominations are made by Market exhibitors and based on quantities of Kentucky Crafted inventory ordered by the nominees, promotional efforts, and positive relationships with vendors. Winners will be honored during this year’s premiere of the Collectors’ Preview, an invitation only event scheduled for Friday, March 4^th, 2005 at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, South Wing A, in Louisville. 

            Last year’s winners were: Bluestem Missouri Crafts, Columbia, (Missouri) for Top Out-Of-State Retailer; The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, for Top Kentucky Retailer; Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz, for Top Kentucky State Park Retailer; and Liquor Barn, Lexington/Louisville, for Top Kentucky Proud Food Retailer. Nominations were made by Market exhibitors and based on quantities of Kentucky Crafted inventory ordered by the nominees, promotional efforts, and positive relationships with vendors. Bluestem Missouri Crafts also won this award in 2001, placing them in the “retired” category for this award

            "With so many wonderful craft retailers in Kentucky, we feel honored to have received this award! The Center continues to be proud to feature works by so many outstanding Kentucky artisans!" said Victoria Faoro, Executive Director, Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, last year’s Top Kentucky Retailer winner.

             The Market is open to Trade (only) March 3-4, 2005. Interested retailers who wish to attend can register at the door with two forms of business identification or visit  www.kycraft.ky.gov  for more information and the 2005 program guide.

            The Market will be open to the public from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, and 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, March 6, at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, South Wing A, in Louisville.  Public admission is $8.00 for adults, children 15 and under are admitted free.  Parking is $5.00.  Free shuttle transportation will be provided from the parking lot. Visit the web site www.kycraft.ky.gov for the official program guide and $1.00 off admission coupon.

             Shoppers can expect to see over 300 of Kentucky’s finest traditional, folk and contemporary crafts, two-dimensional visual art, recorded music, videos, books, food products, Kentucky Cultural Stage entertainment, and children’s craft activities.

             New this year is the Designer Showcase, created by  the University of Kentucky School of Design students and lighting professionals from this year’s Silver Sponsor, Osram Sylvania Inc. This year’s showcase theme is, “Live every day surrounded by Kentucky’s best,” featuring great products for every room in your house, plus your garden.

            The one-of-a-kind, Gallery Section, will be returning with limited production items, ideal for collectors, museums, and commissions.

             The Market is produced by the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, a division of the Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Editors: (Top Retailer Award Nominees list below)

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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.