N E W S L I N E R
News for Juried Participants of the Craft Marketing Program
Market - Now We Can Exhale by Fran Redmon, KCMP Director
Report on The Market 2003
Governor's Derby Day Celebration
Kentucky Visions Exhibit
Craft Industry Sales Report
2003 Jury Session
Juried Participants in the News
Artist Opportunities
Calendar of Events
Kycrafted Shirts & Posters for Sale
KCMP & KAC - New Web Addresses
Market - Now We Can Exhale!
It’s probably reasonable to say that everyone was looking toward the 2003 Market with a certain amount of apprehension. After a dreadful winter, looming threat of war, an economy that refused to show any signs of recovery, and other reports that national trade show attendance was down we were all just holding our breaths in anticipation of how the show would actually fare.
Now that it’s behind us, we can exhale. The Market attracted over 11,000 visitors, which was a 19% increase in total attendance over last year’s Market. Although final sales reports are still being tabulated, a number of exhibitors have indicated having the best sales at the Market ever!
The show looked terrific, ran smoothly, and made us all proud. As I’ve traveled around since, I continue to hear comments from buyers, exhibitors, and the public about the continued improvement in the quality of exhibitors and the overall presentation of the show. Lynn Allinger, from Craft Company # 6, Rochester, New York, said, "I was here six years ago, and I am so impressed by the improvements in the quality of the exhibitors’ booths, products, and the overall professionalism of this show. I will be back next year."
From an operational standpoint, we were pleased to have George Fern back providing exhibition services and running a tight ship. Most of the changes and additions met a positive response.
We are looking forward and are already strategizing for 2004. More changes may be underway, for instance, as we continue to try to address the challenges of parking and overbooking at KFEC and maintaining services, in light of budgetary woes. So, if you haven’t sent in your evaluation it’s not too late. We need your input and will consider it in our discussions with the Market Advisory Committee.
Now that a successful show is behind us, we can all take a deep breath and start planning next year. And, you keep filling those orders!
Fran Redmon
Craft Marketing Program Director
Retail Buyers
A total of 394 shops were represented by 758 individual buyers attending The Market. "These numbers exceeded our expectations, in spite of gloomy economic forecasts nationally and inclement weather conditions," said Fran Redmon, Program Director, adding more substance to this year’s Market slogan, "We Got It Made In Kentucky."
First-time exhibitor Vicki Bangs said, "I picked up four wholesale accounts, one of which has already placed a second order. Also, the retail sales on Saturday and Sunday were great!"
Fly The Buyers At The Market!
For the eighth consecutive year, the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program brought in retail shop owners and buyers from around the United States to Kentucky Crafted: The Market, 2003, through its "Fly the Buyer" program. Six buyers were selected from 53 nominations and received complimentary airfare and accommodations to attend The Market. They represented galleries and shops with products ranging from two-dimensional art to fine crafts. The "Fly the Buyer" guests included booth judge, Lynn Allinger, Craft Company # 6, Rochester, New York; Carolina Creations, New Bern, North Carolina; Abler Art Glass, Keil, Wisconsin; International Product Marketing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Dunn Mehler Gallery, Halfmoon, California; and Seasons: The Museum Store, Clarksville, Tennessee.
The New Product Showcase
The New Product Showcase area focused on newly-created works related to garden art, plus the Kentucky Collection, a kiosk display of crafts, visual art, music, food, and books, found in select stores throughout the state. The Kentucky Collection is a pilot project of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program (KCMP). Products were selected through an application process from the participants of the partner groups, which include the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Arts Council, Kentucky Folklife Program, and Kentucky Book Fair.
As part of CMP's product development initiative, competing participants in the New Product Showcase were awarded product grants and this year’s winners were: Karen Scates, Karen Miniatures; Kathyrn Wise, Sculptural Designs in Clay; and Pat Banks, Pat Banks Watercolor. These artists will be working with the Kentucky Department of Parks in developing customized gift shop products.
Special Activities at The Market
Live music on the Cultural Stage featured eleven musical acts, all of whom are members of the Kentucky Arts Council’s Performing Arts on Tour Directory and the Kentucky Folklife Program’s Tour of Kentucky Folk Music. Music sales this year were higher than last year’s record-breaking numbers in the Arts Council booth.
The children’s hands-on activities area kept many small hands busy during The Market thanks to The Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation, the Kentucky Historical Society and the Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The demonstration stage featured a craft exhibitor each hour during the Market.
2003 Awards Dinner
The annual awards dinner, sponsored in part by National Processing Company, on Friday night, February 28, brought together approximately 375 people and featured a silent auction and live music from nationally known recording artist Tim Lake. Speakers included Marlene Helm, Secretary of Education, Arts and Humanities, Gerri Combs, Director of the Kentucky Arts Council, and Lynn Allinger, Craft Company # 6, Rochester, New York. Award presentations were made by Billy Ray Smith, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and Fran Redmon, Director of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program.
2003 Purchase Award
This year’s Purchase Award went to Kathryn Wise, Sculptural Designs in Clay, Lexington. For the past three years, CMP has selected a juried participant’s work for purchase at the Market. The Purchase Award Program was created for collecting, maintaining, and preserving superior examples of contemporary cultural materials created by Kentucky artisans and For Craftspeople. Past winners are Jack and Linda Fifield, 2002, and Justine Dennis, 2001.
Booth Design Award Winners
Booth Design award winners were as follows:
Jack and Linda Fifield, (McKee) received Best Of Show; Greg Seigel, Seigel Pottery, (Owenton) received the award for Best Overall Booth Design; Jennifer Stephenson McLamb, Beaded Bliss, (Lexington) received Best New Kentucky Exhibitor; Perry and Jody Holbrook, Kopperwood, (Asheville, North Carolina) received Best New Out-of-State Exhibitor; Karen Graves, Kentucky Bison Company, (Goshen) received the Best Kentucky Proud Food Exhibitor award, sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture; and the Exhibitors’ Choice Award went to Justine Dennis, (Lexington).
Lynn Allinger, a past retail award winner from Craft Company # 6, Rochester, New York, served as the booth judge for the booth awards. Lynn also presented a buyers’ seminar about her involvement with the newly-formed Craft Retailers’ Association for Tomorrow and its mission statement and goals for the future. This workshop was sponsored in part by the Kentucky Retail Federation.
2003 Top Retailer Recipients
The 2003 retail awards went to: Don Wallace of Forever Resorts, Scottsdale, AZ for Top Out-Of-State Retailer; Mimi Dandeneau of Appalachian Fireside Gallery, Berea, Kentucky for Top Kentucky Retailer; Carol Bernard of Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown, Kentucky for Top Kentucky State Park Retailer; and Emily Greenwell of My Old Kentucky Home State Resort Park, Bardstown, Kentucky for Top Pride of Kentucky Food Retailer. These retail awards were co-sponsored by The Kentucky Retail Federation. Congratulations to all the winners.
Emeritus Honorees
In recognition of long-term dedication to personal craft development and an exemplary level of accomplishment, three businesses were designated Kentucky Crafted Emeritus honorees and granted lifetime honorary juried participant status by the Craft Marketing Program. The three craft businesses honored were as follows: The Gourd Patch, (Sally Cammack), Cynthiana; The Weavery, (Harriet Giles), Lexington; D & D Baskets, (Donna and David Glenn), Louisville.
Thank You Market Volunteers
Over 75 volunteers contributed their time in various areas of the market, including many juried participants of the KCMP and staff from the agencies of the EAH Cabinet.
Twenty-four juried participants of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program (CMP) will join the festivities for the 2003 Governor’s Derby Day Celebration in historic downtown Frankfort. This Kentucky tradition preludes the running of the 129th Kentucky Derby on Saturday May 3, 2003. New hours have been set this year, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., which offer more time for the public to experience this uniquely Kentucky event. View the KCMP press release.
CMP exhibitors will be setup under colorful tents, located on the St. Clair Mall, Broadway, and the Old State Capitol grounds. As always, this special event is free to the public.
The event will be very similar to last year's, with a few things moving to different locations, such as Fish & Wildlife, Drive Smart and KHEAA moving to Ann St. by the History Center for better exposure to the public.
Food will be provided by the City of Frankfort and Frankfort-Franklin County Tourism. A continental breakfast will be served on the grounds of the Old State Capitol. There will not be a food tent at the Train Depot.
Four stages will feature Folklife entertainers and a block of time on the Governor's Stage will be used to promote the return of the Folklife Festival scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, September 25-27, 2003.
For more information about the Governor's Derby Day Celebration, click here.
For the seventh year, Kentucky Visions, the juried visual arts exhibition organized by the Kentucky Arts Council at the invitation of Governor Paul E. and First Lady Judi Patton, will feature the work of 44 Kentucky visual artists. The exhibit opened on April 17th and will remain on display at the Governor’s Mansion through May 9th. The following seven CMP juried participants are included: Keiko Akiyama, Louisville; Marianne Brown, Lawrenceburg; Jack Fifield and Linda Fifield, McKee; Susan Goldstein, Lexington; Jana Kappeler, Richmond; and Jennifer McLamb, Lexington. Kentucky Visions 2003 can be viewed without appointment on Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to noon, as part of the Governor's Derby Day Celebration. Click here to view the online exhibit.
Listed below are the preliminary results of a study of Kentucky’s craft industry conducted by the University of Kentucky Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) on behalf of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program.
At the request of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, CBER conducted the study utilizing the results of an existing national survey of crafts professionals in Kentucky and other states that was conducted for the Craft Organization Directors Association (CODA) by researchers at Appalachian State University. These same researchers also produced a state study for the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program entitled, The CODA State Study: Kentucky, using that survey data. CBER also utilized Kentucky observations from the national survey to re-estimate the results of the earlier Appalachian State University study, using additional information about the Kentucky crafts industry not available to those researchers and, also, using somewhat different calculation techniques. CBER also generated estimates regarding the economic impact of the Kentucky crafts industry that were not included in the earlier study. Several key findings of the CBER study are listed below:
The average annual sales revenue per Kentucky craft producer was estimated to be $32,500 in 2000, and the average craft producer employed roughly 0.23 full-time and 0.53 part-time employees.
Kentucky craft producers, on average, earned $18,400 in household income from craft production. This accounted for 34% of total household income, on average.
Total annual sales of Kentucky craft producers were estimated at $252.4 million in the year 2000, including all production and the markup on Kentucky retail sales.
The total annual economic impact in Kentucky due to the out-of-state sales of Kentucky crafts was estimated at $148.7 million in terms of output in 2000, $95.0 million in earnings, and 3,200 jobs (both full-time and part-time). This economic impact estimate does not include the additional economic impact generated by the craft industry’s contribution to the Kentucky tourism industry.
An earlier study completed in 1993, showed annual Kentucky craft sales of $24.2 million and a total economic impact of $52.5 million.
Many new craft initiatives being developed in Kentucky increase the need for high-quality work from Kentucky artists. Kentucky residents interested in building their craft businesses to a wholesale level have the potential to become juried participants of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program. The "juried participant" status qualifies craft businesses for marketing opportunities and technical assistance in business development. Wholesale venues include Kentucky Crafted: The Market, the Kentucky Crafted on-line Buyers Guide, and the New York International Gift Fair. Juried participants may also exhibit at the Governor’s Derby Day Celebration and in the Capitol display case, use the "Kentucky Crafted" logo, and receive technical assistance for their businesses and crafts.
The session is open to all Kentucky residents creating traditional and contemporary crafts in ceramics, fiber, glass, leather, metal, stone, wood, mixed media, or other natural materials. Three out-of-state jurors and three in-state jurors will review entries the week of June 2-6, 2003, on the criteria of quality standards for originality, technique and design. An additional juror, a juried participant of the Craft Marketing Program, will participate in the judging, as well, but his/her scores will not be considered except in cases of disparity or borderline scores. Jurying is done with samples only; slide entries are no longer accepted for the jury.
Based on the successful introduction of the 2002 mentor program pilot project, fourteen additional participants gained entry into the juried portion of the Craft Marketing Program. This year, the mentor program will continue as part of the Craft Marketing Program jury session and will, again, assist those jury applicants whose scores fall within a few points of the qualifying score. Those applicants will be assisted by juried participants to improve their work toward meeting the standards required by the KCMP. Successful completion of the mentor program will grant juried participant status to the applicant.
Applications have been mailed. An online version of the application is available. For additional information on the jury process and to request an application be mailed to you, please contact Anna Marie Walker, 1/888/592-7238, ext. 4815; or email annamarie.walker@mail.state.ky.us.
Sympathies To The Families
CMP Staff extends sympathy to the families of Carole Whitley and Carolyn Johnson in the passing of their husbands, Gary Whitley and Jack Johnson. Both were juried members in the CMP program, and Jack was a Kentucky Crafted Emeritus honoree.
UK Singletary Center For The Arts
The Singletary Center in Lexington has commissioned Dave Caudill to design and build a large handrail system. It will join artworks by Arturo Alonzo Sandoval and Stephen Powell. For more information on the Singletary Center:: www.uky.edu/SCFA
Also the Lexington Arboretum recently named Dave the 2003 Visiting Artist for this beautiful facility. During the summer Dave will be creating several permanent sculptures and later in the year, he will conduct workshops for schoolchildren. The grounds are near Commonwealth Stadium on UK's Alumni Drive. For more information on the Arboretum:: www.uky.edu/Arboretum
Lexington Public Library
Philis Alvic was the featured artist in an exhibit at the Lexington Public Library March 1 – April 13. Images from this show are still available to view by visiting their web site: www.lexpublib.org/galleries
Congratulations, Jack Jackson!
Jack was featured on the front page of the local section of the Sunday Independent in Ashland, Kentucky, on Sunday, March 30. This wonderful, full color story focused on Jack’s extraordinary talents as a box-maker. It included images of his studio in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, and mentioned his work with local hospitals and shelters like Hope’s Place.
Tattered Bear Starring in New York Broadway Show, "Gypsy"!
Judy Geagley’s Tattered Bear was chosen from a large field of teddy bears submitted to be in the broadway show, "Gypsy", starring Bernadette Peters. " I guess Gordy, Robin and I will be going to see Tattered Bear on stage, in August 2003, said Judy." This opportunity came from one of Judy’s regular New York International Gift Fair buyers at Geppetto’s Toy Box. Judy’s whole exciting story was featured in a full-page article entitled, "Tollesboro Bears Take Manhattan," by staff writer Laura Rains for The Ledger Independent, Maysville.
Artists Invited To Submit Proposals
The Kentucky Arts Council, the Transportation Cabinet, and the Finance Cabinet have joined in a partnership to commission Kentucky artists to provide public artwork for the new Transportation Cabinet office building in Frankfort. Proposals are requested for two separate site-specific works of art that will be located in designated areas outside this newly-constructed facility. Residents of Kentucky who have lived in the state a minimum of one year immediately prior to the application deadline, and who are at least 18 years of age, are encouraged to submit proposals for one or both commissions. All interested artists should request an official Request for Proposals (RFP) Bid Packet from the Finance and Administration Cabinet. To access information about the public art project, go to the Kentucky Arts Council Home Page www.artscouncil.ky.gov and click on the link at the very top of the page: "Artists invited to submit proposals for two site specific public art commissions!" There will be directions to lead you straight to the RFP. Inquiries may be directed to Lori Meadows at the Kentucky Arts Council, 888-833-2787x4812, or by email at lori.meadows@mail.state.ky.us.
The Country Register of Kentucky
The Country Register of Kentucky (published in Anna, Ohio) is looking for artists from Kentucky to provide front-page cover art. The Country Register is free and is distributed bi-monthly. To find out more about the magazine and how to submit artwork, call editor Linda Smuland at 1-877-856-2200.
25th Anniversary of the Society for Contemporary Craft
The Elizabeth Rockwell Raphael Founder’s Prize is a $5,000 purchase prize created in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Society for Contemporary Craft (SCC). Honoring a different medium with each biennial award, this year’s focus is on ceramics. All ceramists are encouraged to apply, especially emerging artists. The award will be made toward work created between Sept 2002 and Sept 2003 and includes purchase, exhibition, and a video made of the artist at work. Application deadline is May 2003. Visit the SCC website for further details.
MADE IN THE USA?
When did you last exhibit in an "American Craft" show, only to find yourself shoulder to shoulder with imports? Have you noticed big retailers selling cheap widgets with a ‘handcrafted look’? When you last visited a National Park store or airport gift shop, did you see US crafted items?
Learn about legislative issues that affect your ability to sell to National Parks. Understand how ‘honest labeling’ affects your business. And, above all, add your voice of support! Contact The Rosen Group TODAY to receive an overview packet of our legislative initiatives. We will take on Washington, but we first need your input. Email alishav@rosengrp.com or call 410.889.2933 ext.222.
Craft
Marketing Program and Kentucky Museum of Arts + Design Present the
Annual Workshop Weekend:
"Outside the Lines: New Frontiers for Kentucky Artists"
A Product Development Workshop Weekend At Somerset Community College, Somerset, Kentucky, July 25-26, 2003, supported by the Somerset Community College and Sheltowee Artisans.
For the last twenty years, Kentucky has been in the forefront of craft marketing. Now we are on a new journey. In an innovative move to help sustain the craft industry of the state, the legislature provided funding for a product development initiative. This is your opportunity to learn how you can incorporate trends, better understand the marketplace, and utilize the resources available to you to help make your product more successful and your business more profitable, to give you a new way of looking at the world. As an artist, you create magic; we want to help you market it!
Contact Anna Marie Walker – 1-888-592-7238, ext. 4815 or annamarie.walker@mail.state.ky.us.
The Kentucky Folklife Festival Returns
September 25, 26, and 27 in downtown Frankfort.
Presented by the Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Arts Council and the City of Frankfort.
For more information, visit www.kyfolklife.org.
MARKET ORIENTATION SESSION
If you are newly juried and a first-time potential exhibitor interested in participating in Kentucky Crafted: The Market, it is mandatory that you attend the upcoming Market Orientation Session. The session will be held Wednesday, September 3, at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, South Wing A. Further information will be mailed to all eligible participants and newly juried artists in August. If you have any questions regarding the session, please feel free to call Connie Hicks at 888/592-7238 (x4814) or e-mail at connie.hicks@mail.state.ky.us.
DATE CHANGE
The date for the upcoming Market Advisory Committee meeting has been changed to Tuesday, May 27, 2003. Further information will be sent to all committee members in the near future.
"Your Craft, Your Art, Your Product"
Developing Products for Giftshops, Boutiques, Galleries and Stores
Friday, June 6, 2003
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (CDT)
McCracken County Public Library
2nd Floor Conference Room
555 Washington Street
Paducah, KY
Presented by the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program (KCMP) and the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen (KGAC)
This workshop will provide a wealth of information and brainstorming for artists and For Craftspeople who are interested in learning more about today's market trends and needs in order to design new work geared to the wholesale marketplace.
You are invited to bring a piece of your best-selling work, or a few examples of work you are considering to sell wholesale, for small group review and input.
Cost: $10 per person. (No charge for KGAC and KCMP members in good standing.)
RSVP
required - space is limited – please call Summer Raftery at KGAC,
(859) 986-3192
or email KGAC at info@kyguild.org
If
you forgot to purchase your, " WE Got It Made In Kentucky," T-shirt
or sweatshirt at Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2003,
CMP still has a few for sale. The sweatshirts are $12.00, long-sleeved,
and have the Kentucky Crafted logo and slogan on the front. Sizes available:
Medium, large, extra large. T-shirts are $8.00. Market Posters are $5.00.
To
order, email Melissa.Nesselrode@mail.state.ky.us,
or call: 1-888-592-7238, ext. 4801 or (local calls), 502-564-3757,
ext. 4801
CMP’s new web address:
Kentucky Art Council’s new web address:
Contact information listed here is correct as of May 2003.
If you would like your information included in a future issue of the Newsliner for Juried Participants, please e-mail: Beau.Haddock@ky.gov