(Frankfort, Ky.) -- The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program will honor some of Kentucky's best artisans at an awards dinner to be held during Kentucky Crafted: The Market, 2003. In recognition of long-term dedication to personal craft development and an exemplary level of accomplishment, these artisans will be designated Kentucky Crafted Emeritus honorees and granted lifetime honorary juried participant status by the Craft Marketing Program. Honorary members are eligible for all Program activities without the need to jury their work, or resubmit new work in future years.

The Kentucky artisans/craft businesses honored are as follows: The Gourd Patch (Sally Cammack), Cynthiana; The Weavery (Harriet Giles), Lexington; D & D Baskets (David and Donna Glenn), Louisville.

They join the list of Emeritus recipients from 2002: David Appalachian Crafts (Ruth A. Iwanski), David; Churchill Weavers Inc. (Lila & Richard Bellando), Berea; Wildlife Woodcarvings (Tim Hall), Ravenna; Appalachian Crafts (Mary & Robin Reed), Irvine; Red Bird Mission Crafts (Craig Dial), Beverly; Pottery Rowe (Melvin Rowe), Louisville; and Kentucky Hills Industries (Marlene Hamblin), Pine Knot.

"The Craft Marketing Program is proud of its history and the craftspeople who made it happen and wants to recognize those who have done so much to pave the way for Kentucky's artisans, " said Fran Redmon, Program Director. "We feel this award is a way to honor craft artists that have fully dedicated their lives to their work and have participated extensively in professional programs at the state and national level. It is one small contribution toward preserving Kentucky's cultural heritage."

Nominations were made by juried participants in the Craft Marketing Program. Selections were based on several criteria, including quality of work, juried participant status in the Craft Marketing Program for ten or more consecutive years, state and national awards or honors, and a significant record of contribution to the craft community in other areas. Each will receive a certificate signed by Governor Paul E. Patton.

Emeritus winner Sally Cammack said, "I am proud to have been a part of this program since its beginning. The Craft Marketing Program is a starin our state's crown."

As new exhibitors join the Emeritus awardees and other juried participants of the Program at Kentucky Crafted: The Market, 2003, they will see that, for many of the artisans, the Market is not just a place to sell their work.

The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program is a state agency in the Kentucky Arts Council, Education, Arts & Humanities Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky.

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.

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