On Wednesday, January 19, the Kentucky Arts Council will offer a pre-jury workshop at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. to introduce artisans to the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program and the Visual Arts at the Market program. Workshop leaders will talk about the benefits of being juried members of the two programs and about the actual jury process. Workshop participants are encouraged to bring samples of their work so that after the presentation, Kentucky Craft Marketing Program and Visual Arts at the Market program representatives can offer individual critiques, hands on discussion, and brief individual consultations about each participants' work.

The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program is open to all Kentucky residents who create traditional and contemporary crafts in ceramics, fiber, glass, metal, wood, mixed media, or other natural materials. Jury evaluation is based on quality standards for originality/authenticity, technique, and design. Members have an opportunity to participate in wholesale and retail venues, such as the New York International Gift Fair; Kentucky Crafted: The Market; the Governor's Derby Breakfast; and The Kentucky Collection. Participants also may use the "Kentucky Crafted" logo, attend educational workshops, exhibit at the Capitol, and receive advanced technical assistance for their business and craft.

The Visual Arts at the Market Program is open to all Kentucky residents that are 2-D artists doing original 2-D paintings, drawings, prints, photographers, and mixed-media work, in addition to note cards, posters, calendars and other printed products derived from original 2-D art. This program is for artists interested in reaching wholesale and retail markets. It is a component of a larger event, Kentucky Crafted: The Market, held annually in Louisville.

For additional questions regarding the January 19 workshop at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea - call Charla Reed of Kentucky Craft Marketing at 1/888 /592-7238, e-mail [email protected] or Amber Luallen of the Kentucky Arts Council at 1/888/833-2787, E-mail [email protected]. To register for the workshop go to : www.kycraft.ky.gov/craftspeople/prejuryregistration.html

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is located just off Interstate 75 at exit 77 (Berea). The Center's exhibits, shopping, and travel information areas are all open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the café from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. The Center currently features works by more than 470 artisans from all across the Commonwealth. For more information call 859-985-5448 or visit the Center's web site at www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov.

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea and the Kentucky Arts Council are both agencies in the Commerce Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

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The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Education, Arts and Humanities Cabinet, creating opportunities for every Kentuckian to value and participate in the arts. In a continued partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kentucky Arts Council plays a critical role in promoting cultural tourism, enhancing economic development and securing a strong foothold for the arts in education.