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Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea Rates One of 10 Great Places to Shop at Crafts Galleries
Monday, December 12, 2011 at 10:40AM Anyone who thinks American ingenuity has faded hasn't visited a craft gallery. From vibrant quilts to such edgy creations as handmade decorative robots, artisans are constantly at work. Galleries are everywhere, says Wendy Rosen, editor of American Style magazine. "Craft galleries have things that people have wanted all their lives and they just didn't know where to look." She shares some favorite shops with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
Berea, Ky.
This center is part of the legacy of Phyllis George Brown, a former Miss America and Kentucky first lady who championed state crafts. "Her influence was felt nationally," Rosen says. "Not every state can afford to build Disney World, but every state can afford to support its creative people." She recommends the wood carvings, pottery and quilts. 859-985-5448; kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov
ABOUT The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is a state agency in the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Established to celebrate Kentucky's artisan heritage and to encourage Kentuckians and those traveling in Kentucky to enjoy Kentucky artisan products and activities.
The funds for construction of the site were appropriated by the Kentucky legislature in 1998 and 2000. The development of the Center and oversight of its activity is provided by a 13-member board, the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea Authority Board, and assisted by numerous partnerships among cabinets of state government, with city and county government, with colleges, with other organizations and agencies, and with individuals interested in the Center's mission and goals.
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea features a wide range of Kentucky's outstanding artisan products in its on-site gallery exhibit and shopping areas. whether on display in a themed exhibit or in a shop setting, you'll find great artisan works and information about artisans themselves and the materials they use to create their work. At the Center, you'll find superbly crafted glass, pottery, woodworking, metal work, paper, jewelry, specialty foods, music and books.
You'll enjoy the Center whether you're looking for something unique for yourself or a gift for a special person in your life - or just wanting to know more about Kentucky's ongoing artisan traditions. At the Center, you'll also find lots of information about other Kentucky sites featuring artisans and their work, including Berea's Working Artist Studio Tour.
Open Daily 8am - 8pm - FREE ADMISSION
Welcoming over 270,000 visitors annually
CURRENT EXHIBIT
An Artful Array: Bowls by Kentucky Artisans
gallery exhibit Aug 27, 2011 - Feb 25, 2012
Join us on Saturdays from 10:30 to 3:30
for an artisan demonstration, book signing, or perfomance--there's no admission charge!
(book signings and music performances are 11:00-2:00 )
KENTUCKY ARTISAN CENTER AT BEREA
200 Artisan Way, Berea, KY 40403
859-985-5448