Wyman Rice - Clay Artist

Booth #514

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Plans for the 20th anniversary year of Kentucky's handcrafted gift market are in full swing. The Market will feature contemporary and traditional crafts, two-dimensional visual art, books, musical recordings, and food products, along with children's craft activities & cultural entertainment.

The Market will again include craftspeople from several surrounding states' craft programs, in addition to offering the best of Kentucky. New to The Market will be an exciting exhibition titled, "Kentucky Folk Artists Salute the Great American Spirit." Former Kentucky First Lady Phyllis George will collaborate with the Kentucky Folk Art Center in Morehead and sponsor, Woodford Reserve, to bring this patriotic project to the public.

Also new this year, the Kentucky Ballet Theatre will conduct a workshop in the children's activities area on Saturday.

The 2002 Market also has several new sponsors: The Silver Sponsor for 2002 is NPC (National Processing Company); media sponsors are Wave 3-TV, WHAS-TV, WFPK Public Radio, and Metro Traffic Radio.

Kentucky Crafted: The Market, 2002, is scheduled for February 28 and March 1, for trade only, at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, South Wing A, Louisville. Trade hours are Thursday, February 28, 4 - 8 p.m. and Friday, March 1, from 9 - 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 2, the show opens to the general public, and the hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 3. Admission for adults is $6.00 and $3.00 for children 6-12; children under six are admitted free.

The Market attracts buyers from all over the United States, both wholesale and retail. "Last year's Market saw crowds of over 13,000, with nearly 500 retail shops attending. Kentucky still holds the distinction of being one of the few states in the country to sponsor a wholesale/ retail show for its craft businesses. The Market serves as a major sales outlet for Kentucky businesses and generates 2 to 3 million dollars in sales, annually," said Fran Redmon, Kentucky Craft Marketing Program Director.

The Market is produced by the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, a state agency in the Kentucky Arts Council, Education, Arts & Humanities Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky. Any business interested in becoming a sponsor should contact the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, at 888 KY CRAFT (592-7238), ext. 4801.

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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.