Frankfort, Ky.-- The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program honored some of Kentucky's best artisans at an awards dinner held during Kentucky Crafted: The Market, 2002 in Louisville. 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 Market is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and this year's Emeritus recipients have exhibited at every Market since it began in 1982.

The seven Kentucky artisans craft businesses honored are as follows: 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; Kentucky Hills Industries, (Marlene Hamblin), Pine Knot. They join the list of Emeritus recipients from 2001: Lester and Ollie Childress, Park City; Curtis Alvey, Elizabethtown; Dorothy Brockman, Annville; Annie Hunt, Lawrenceburg; Homer Ledford, Winchester; Rude Osolnik, Berea; Emily Wolfson, Murray; Jack Johnson, Morehead; and Alma Lesch (posthumously), Shepherdsville.

"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.

Ruth Iwanski of David Appalachian Crafts shared that, "The Market has helped women who sew at home make money. It has helped economically and has also helped keep up the tradition."

Tim Hall of Wildlife Woodcarvings attributes his financial success over the past two decades to the help that the Craft Marketing Program provides both at the Market and during the year. After trying to market himself for many years without success, Hall joined the Craft Marketing Program, which helped his career take off and taught him a lot about business and marketing. "This is what I do for a living. The program has been a god-send for me because it has provided me a career for twenty years." Hall summarized his thoughts about the program by saying, "I can make a decent living doing what I enjoy and I am thankful for that." Kentucky Hills Industries' Marlene Hamblin also praised the financial support that the Market provides area artisans. "We do more wholesale at that one show, (the Market), than any other show we do."

"We are proud that we have been part of a program that has given so much support to the craftspeople of Kentucky," said Lila Bellando of Churchill Weavers, Inc. She also shared that, "Asking us about our involvement in Kentucky Craft Marketing is like asking us about our family; the commitment in effort, time, and relationships is deep and lifelong. We cherish our many memories of laughter and tears and of strong human connection. All of us who were there at the beginning have witnessed the program's tremendous growth and success!"

Melvin Rowe also has many fond memories of the Market over the past twenty years, besides just selling his pottery. He knows how friendships and families have grown over the years and how the Market has truly created a community among the participants. "The exhibitors, staff, and volunteers have a history, commonality, and thread that runs through their lives," Rowe said. "We've watched each others work evolve and grow and develop. The very environment of the market itself is a celebration and showcase of Kentucky's creativity, skill, and craftsmanship."

As new exhibitors join the Emeritus awardees and other juried participants of the program at Kentucky Crafted: The Market, 2002, they will see that, for many of the artisans, the Market is not just a place to sell their work. As Rowe shared, "from the traditional music over the sound system to the recognition of the retailers and state parks, we come together to get caught up on the news, visit, and see each other again. We actually sell some of our work, too."

The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program is a state agency in the Kentucky Arts Council, Education, Arts & Humanities Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky. For more information, call 888 KY CRAFT (592-7238,) ext. 4811.

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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.

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.