FRANKFORT, Ky. — There is no shortage of activities for people of all ages at Kentucky Crafted: The Market, and the Kentucky Arts Council has plenty to offer visitors to its 32nd annual wholesale-retail marketplace open to the public March 8-9 at the Lexington Convention Center.
This year, the arts council has expanded its exhibit area located in the atrium of the Lexington Convention Center near the Kentucky Stage to accommodate its "exhibit sampler." Works representing three of the arts council's traveling exhibits – "The Makings of a Master," "identity" and "Uncommon Wealth" – will be on view at the show.
"Each exhibit represents a distinct artistic community the arts council has cultivated a relationship with in order to make the artists' works available to as many people as possible in a professional setting," said Lori Meadows, arts council executive director. "The exhibits demonstrate the breadth of the arts in Kentucky, and The Market is the perfect opportunity for the general public to discover the many facets of the arts in the Commonwealth."
In addition, The Market will again feature an exhibit of work by the state's artists who make up the arts council's Architectural Artists Directory. These artists use glass, mosaic tiles, metal, wood, photography and other materials to create custom work, renovations and installations in homes and businesses across the United States.
All visitors at The Market are welcome to participate in hands-on activities sponsored by several Kentucky arts organizations. These activities are included free with admission. This year's hands-on activities include:
Create your own sculpture with assistance from artists at the Josephine Sculpture Park in Frankfort. Learn about architecture, then create your own pop-up greeting cards featuring your own design with The Living Arts & Science Center of Lexington. Explore the senses and create your own mixed-media artwork with the Explorium of Lexington. Create a collage character in the style of children's book author Eric Carle with the Louisville Visual Art Association.
Kentucky Crafted: The Market is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 9. Ticket prices at the door are $10 for one day; $15 for a two-day ticket. Children 15 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult. Discounted tickets are currently on sale for The Market via the arts council's website.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
