Kentucky Folk Arts and Crafts
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IIDEA GGUIDE KENTUCKY FOLK ARTS AND CRAFTS “Kentucky Originals” Make Perfect Lexington Visitors Center 215 West Main Street Souvenirs of Lexington and the Bluegrass Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 233-7299 or (800) 845-3959 www.visitlex.com Kentucky has long been famous for its quilts, sive W.T. Young Library on the University of pottery, woodcarvings, dulcimers, hand-woven Kentucky campus maintains a collection of quilts on the blankets and other handcrafted products. Whether you top floor. (859) 257-0500. just want to admire the works of traditional and con- temporary Kentucky artists and artisans, or are looking for a unique souvenir of your visit, you'll find an unfor- Amber Inspiration gettable collection of creative expressions at galleries, In this case, we mean the spirit! A number of craftsmen shops, studios and museums in Lexington and nearby have been inspired by Kentucky’s amber elixir to find communities. creative uses for old Bourbon barrels. One solution can be found at Bourbon Barrel Guitars. Lexington In and Around Lexington: Woodworker Mike Mandel fashions electric guitars and basses out of recycled white oak from Bourbon barrels Traditions Old and New (859-809-7769). At Kentucky Knows in Frankfort, local entrepreneur Tony Davis dismantles barrels and Your “craft tour of the Bluegrass” begins in offers one-of-a-kind items from lazy susan’s to cutting Lexington at two unique stores. Artique, at Lexington boards, coffee scoops and even sunglasses. collection, Green off Nicholasville Road (859-272-8802) has every- Tony strives to share the history and culture of thing from fine jewelry to birdhouses. Kentucky while giving a second life to Everything is American made. the barrels prized by distillers. (337 Downtown, Rachel Savane produces Bluegrass Note: If you're interested West Broadway; 859-621-5261). Have wearable art from silver and gem- in the visual arts in general, check some ideas of your own? You can pur- stones. Her signature line features the out some of Lexington's many art chase an (empty) 53-gallon Bourbon colorful and varied Kentucky Agate, galleries. Stop by ArtsPlace (161 barrel from Lexington Container the official state rock. (Savane Silver, North Mill Street; 859-255-2951) for Company and pick it up while you are 130 North Broadway; 859-455-8111). a free gallery guide. The Lexington in the area (140 Dewey Drive, Georgetown is home to Arts and Cultural Council sponsors Nicholasville; 859-881-3190). Heirloom & Gretchen’s (136 W. “Gallery Hops” throughout the year. Main Street, Georgetown; 502-863- 2538). Owner Gretchen Soards sells stained glass panels A One-of-a-Kind and sun catchers and produces custom lamp shades. In Museum for One-of-A-Kind Art the same building you’ll find miniatures, lamps, antiques One of the finest collections of folk art in the United and collectibles. States is found in Morehead, about an hour’s drive from If you're interested in a handmade quilt (or in learn- Lexington via I-64. The Kentucky Folk Art Center ing to make one), stop by Quilter's Square (140 Moore (102 West First Street; 606-783-2204) has a permanent Drive, off Nicholasville Road; 859-278-5010). In addi- collection of more than 1,000 works by nationally tion to selling quiltmaking and smocking supplies, owner known Kentucky folk artists as well as up-and-coming Mary Charles sells quilts on consignment. The impres- artists from across the state. Here you'll see an amazing variety of works— walk- ate fine furniture, woven items, ceramics, brooms and ing sticks; paintings; woodcarvings of animals, historical wrought iron pieces. They are sold at the Berea College figures and regular folks; painted furniture and other Log House Craft Gallery, 200 Estill Street (859-985- objects; and other fascinating and thought-provoking 3226). Berea College ranks as one of the leading liberal creations by Kentucky's unschooled artists. arts colleges in the nation and plays an important role in In addition to its permanent collection displayed in the preservation of mountain crafts. the Richardson gallery, the muse- Berea also is home to dozens of um also hosts three annual folk art other craft studios and galleries. exhibits in the Adkins gallery, and Bluegrass Note: Kentucky has about One you'll want to be sure to visit is includes a museum store where you 3,000 resident full-time and part-time Warren A. May's Woodworking can purchase original art, books craftspeople. The Kentucky Craft Shop (110 Center Street; 859-986- and jewelry. The 50 seat Ruth Marketing Program, a state agency, pro- 9293). May's graceful dulcimers Auditorium is the site of frequent vides business assistance and advice to (Kentucky’s official state instru- lectures and performances. The craftspeople. Juried crafts producers ment) are so beautiful that many Folk Art Center also coordinates whose works are accepted into the people buy them not as musical an art and craft market in Program carry the “Kentucky Crafted” instruments, but as artwork to December. label. Each winter, the council sponsors a hang on the wall. He also crafts market in Lexington that attracts top fine Kentucky style furniture. wholesale buyers from across the United Because of Berea’s long history Shaker Craftsmanship States. The show is also open to the as a center for fine handcraft and Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill public and a must-see for lovers of high folk art, the Kentucky legislature (859-734-5411 or 800-734-5611), quality crafts. For more information designated funds to build a state about a 45-minute drive from call (502) 564-3757. artisan center. Just off I-75 at Exit Lexington via US 68, is a wonder- 77 you’ll find the Kentucky ful place to learn about the legacy Artisan Center (859-985-5448). of Shaker craftspeople. As you tour the more than 30 Handcrafted items and folk art abound at this beautiful buildings (this is the largest restored Shaker community facility. There’s also a cafe. Open seven days a week. in America), you'll see examples of their exemplary fur- Ken Gastineau has been working with jewelry and niture making, weaving, candlemaking, broommaking metals for more than 25 years. At the Ken Gastineau and more. The village gift shops sell a wide range of Studio (135 North Broadway, 859-986-9158) you might Kentucky-made items in the Shaker style, including rugs, pottery, candles and furniture. One of the top Bluegrass Note: Festivals and special exhibits crafts festivals in the state is held at Shaker Village each are excellent opportunities to see the works of August. Elite artists and craftspeople from the region Lexington-area craftspeople. The Lexington Art offer exceptional pottery, jewelry, glassware, woven League sponsors arts and crafts displays at rugs, needle craft, basketry, leather goods and Shaker Mayfest, Mother’s Day weekend in Gratz Park; reproductions. Entry to the Craft Fair is included with downtown during the annual Fourth of July the village admission ticket. festivities; at the Woodland Arts Fair, the third While you’re in the area, give Cynthia Carr a call weekend in August in Woodland Park near (859-366-4439). If she’s in, you’ll want to stop by downtown; and at its Holiday Art Fair, the Crosswinds Pottery, 340 Henry Robinson Road. She Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving at throws traditional stoneware pottery, enhanced with Loudoun House, 209 Castlewood Drive. rich reduction glazes. Utilitarian and beautiful, her work The Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society Annual is also on sale at the Kentucky Artisan Center. Exhibition is held each Spring at the Kentucky Horse Park. Contact VisitLEX for Kentucky's Crafts Capital specific dates of these special events. About 40 miles south of Lexington via I-75 is Berea, the official "Crafts Capital" of the state. Berea's long- notice the influences of time spent living in the time tradition as a center of craftsmanship earned it this American West, even though most of his designs are designation by the Kentucky State Legislature. rooted in Kentucky traditions. If you are lucky, you At the heart of Berea and its crafts tradition is Berea might get to witness the creation of that signature College, where students do not pay tuition, but work 10 Kentucky item, the julep cup. to 15 hours per week in one of the college's industries. As After visiting the shops in town, head out into the part of the Berea College Crafts program, students cre- surrounding countryside and visit Tater Knob Pottery and Farm (260 Wolf Gap Road, Berea; 859-986-2167). items. You can schedule a private lesson and learn how This is the home and workshop of Sarah Culbreth and to “throw.” Your creation can be fired and glazed by Jeff Enge. This husband-and-wife team specializes in Broadway Clay staff and will be available in three weeks utilitarian items and custom-designed dinnerware, offer- (223 West Broadway; 502-320-7250). ing what is probably the most folksy bridal registry in Kentucky. Scott County’s Barn You can watch them at work, learn Bluegrass Note: Berea hosts several Art about clay and glazes, and buy major crafts fairs each year. Members of Thanks to the Buffalo Gals ready-made pieces such as a spoon- the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Homemakers of Stamping bread maker (which comes with a Craftsmen display their works the third Ground, many Scott County recipe for this regional cornbread weekend in May, and the second weekend barns proudly display colorful dish). Call ahead if you’re bringing in October. The Berea Craft Festival on quilt squares. Wooden eight a group or want to see the entire the second weekend in July features foot and four foot squares potterymaking process.