An increased number of retailers will be flown in to shop during the 25th Anniversary of Kentucky Crafted: The Market. For the 12th consecutive year, Kentucky Craft Marketing, a program of the Kentucky Arts Council, is sponsoring retail shop owners and buyers from around the United States to attend this award-winning event through the “Fly the Buyer” program. Eight businesses have been selected from approximately 25 nominations and will receive complimentary travel expenses and accommodations to attend The Market. They represent, galleries, and niche gift shops with products ranging from two-dimensional art to fine crafts.
The “Fly the Buyer” guests constantly seek out new products from all around the United States and will have the opportunity to view new artists’ work at Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2007. Also serving as this year’s booth design judges are Stan and Judy Gillis, owners of, The Real Mother Goose, Portland, Oregon. Other guests include: Greg Didiaso, owner of Attitudes, West Newton, Massachusetts; Robert Galitz, owner of Accent Art, Sleepy Hollow, Illinois; Kenneth Ford, owner of Idea Factory, New Orleans, Louisiana; Kathy and Jerry Chappelle, owners of Chappelle Gallery, Watkinsville, Georgia; Janet Rodriguez, owner of Straight Out of Harlem, New York, New York; Lynn Alexander, owner of Nash Gallery, Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Marie Perkins, owner of Finishing Touch Gallery, Fremont, Ohio.
The “Fly The Buyer” program began as a way for Kentucky Craft Marketing to attract high quality retailers that might not be familiar with the variety and quality of folk, traditional and contemporary craft available at the award-winning four-day wholesale and retail market. Some of the invited buyers have received the Top Out-of-State Retailer Award, presented annually at the Market. Several have been recognized as Top 100 Retailers of American Craft as named by Niche Magazine.
Kentucky Crafted: The Market is produced by Kentucky Craft Marketing, a program of the Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky. For more information, call 888 KY CRAFT (592-7238); or visit the Program's site at www.kycraft.ky.gov.
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Since 1981,Kentucky Craft Marketing’s purpose 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. The craft industry in Kentucky contributes 252 million dollars in annual sales and Kentucky is recognized as a model state for its craft programs and its role in the $14 billion national craft industry.