This award-winning annual Kentucky handcrafted gift market is scheduled to open to the general public on March 4 and 5 at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, South Wing B. Based on reader nominations from a national on-line survey, American Style Magazine selected Kentucky Crafted: The Market as one of the Top 25 Art Fairs and Festivals in the country and the Southeast Tourism Society has named Kentucky Crafted: The Market as one of the Top Twenty Events in The Southeast for 11 previous years. Nearly 300 exhibitors of fine traditional, folk and contemporary crafts, two-dimensional visual art, musical recordings, books, and food products are expected to participate in the 2006 Market. Kentucky cultural entertainment and children’s craft activities (ages 4-12) will also be included. The One-of-a-kind Gallery Section will return for 2006 as will the Designer Showcase. This unique showcase will be created by interior design students from the University of Kentucky in conjunction with KCMP and The Market’s silver sponsor, Osram Sylvania. The students will arrange products from Market exhibitors to feature in room settings, illustrating how Kentucky’s impressive cache of art, craft, and other products can be used in everyday settings that reflect today’s decorating trends. Osram Sylvania will design the home lighting techniques that will enhance each mock room area. The Designer Showcase will be located immediately inside South Wing B, near the main entrance. The Kentucky Arts Council (KAC) will promote the work of artists who have received Kentucky Arts Council Fellowships or who have been accepted into programs such as the Performing Arts on Tour Directory. The KAC booth will include the works of Kentucky artists in the form of recorded music and videos for sale to wholesale and retail customers. The Kentucky Folklife Program will again sponsor the demonstration area featuring the release of “More than Music: A Heritage Driving Tour of Kentucky’s Route 23,” a CD and book, narrated by Ricky Skaggs, that presents artists who represent music and craft traditions from the region surrounding the Country Music Highway. The Kentucky Agriculture Department’s” Kentucky Proud” food producers will be taking an active role in food demonstrations for 2006. Through Kentucky production and sales the craft industry contributes 252 million dollars to the state’s economy. An additional impact of 147 million dollars is realized through sales made outside of Kentucky. The Market is a collaborative effort among several state agencies and cabinets, which promote Kentucky’s rich cultural heritage while supporting the state’s economy and generates 2 to 3 million dollars in direct sales. The Market is produced by the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, a division of the Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet. For more information, call 888 KY CRAFT (592-7238), local (502) 564-3757 or visit our web site at: www.kycraft.ky.gov. Public Days March 4 - 5 Saturday, 9am - 6pm - Sunday, 10am - 5pm, (EST) Adults $8 Children (ages 15 and under Free) Parking $5If you plan to attend:
