Home » Spotlight on the Arts — Sept. 2012

Spotlight on the Arts — Sept. 2012

By Lori Meadows

Nine Receive Governor’s Award in the Arts

The Kentucky Arts Council has announced the 2012 Governor’s Awards in the Arts recognizing Kentuckians, businesses and arts organizations for outstanding contributions to, achievement in and support of the arts. Awards are presented in nine different categories.

Gray Zeitz, of Owenton, is the founder of Larkspur Press. He received this year’s lifetime achievement award.

“I am honored to acknowledge and celebrate their many contributions to our state’s artistic livelihood through the Governor’s Awards in the Arts,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, who represent the best of Kentucky’s artistic community.”

The recipients will be recognized at a public ceremony and celebration on Oct. 9 in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort. The recipients are:

Milner Award – William Francis, Prestonsburg: The lawyer and long-time activist in Eastern Kentucky arts and education received the state’s most prestigious award, named in honor of the late B. Hudson Milner.

National Award – Bobbie Ann Mason, Lawrenceburg: The Kentucky fiction and non-fiction author has given voice to the personal stories, lives and issues facing generations of Kentuckians for nearly four decades.

Artist Award – Gray Zeitz, Owenton: This lifetime achievement award for work in any discipline goes to the founder of Larkspur Press, producer of dozens of fine, letterpress editions, mostly of Kentucky poets, for nearly 40 years.

Business Award – UK HealthCare Arts in HealthCare Program, Lexington: This year’s recipient for outstanding support of the arts was chosen for its Arts in HealthCare Program.

Community Arts Award – Latitude Artist Community, Lexington: This award is making a positive impact on the community through the arts

Education Award – Christina Hartke Towell, Morehead: The director of the Morehead State University Orchestra and violin and viola instructor was recognized for significant contributions to the arts in education.

Folk Heritage Award – Leona Waddell, Cecilia: Master basket maker Waddell’s award is for outstanding effort to perpetuate and promote Kentucky’s unique artistic heritage.

Government Award – U. S. Rep. John Yarmuth, Louisville: Yarmuth’s award is for significant support for the arts through government action to a government entity or leader

The Media Award – Jeffrey Lee Puckett, Louisville: The Courier-Journal newspaper reporter received the award honoring a journalist or media organization with an outstanding commitment to bringing the arts to the attention of the public.

Retailers Celebrate American Craft Week

Kentucky Crafted retailers in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky will celebrate American Craft Week with special activities, demonstrations, open houses and promotions Oct. 5-14.

There are 21 shops, galleries and studios designated as Kentucky Crafted retailers by the Kentucky Arts Council. Participating retailers offer a selection of merchandise created by artists participating in the Kentucky Crafted Program, an arts marketing program of the Kentucky Arts Council.

For a complete listing of Kentucky Crafted Retailers and links to American Craft Week events, click here.

Kentucky Crafted: The Market Will Return to Lexington Center in 2013

The state’s finest art, craft, literature, music and artisan food will return to the Lexington Convention Center in March 2013 for Kentucky Crafted: The Market, the Arts Council’s signature arts event for wholesale buyers and the general public.

During its four-day stint in Lexington earlier this year, the annual event drew more than 10,000 people who spent more than $750,000. The Market featured 115 artists and 59 vendors from Kentucky and surrounding states.

The 2013 event will be March 1-3, at the Lexington Convention Center, 430 W. Vine St., Lexington, Ky.

A long-standing tradition of excellence is how Kentucky Crafted: The Market earns accolades year after year. It has been ranked No. 1 in Top 10 Fairs and Festivals in the country four times by AmericanStyle Magazine. In addition, it has been named a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 event for 14 years and has already received the designation for 2013.

The first day of The Market is a wholesale trade show day, open exclusively to qualified business owners who sell products in retail venues. The wholesale day acts as an economic generator for Kentucky, annually attracting 500 to 600 buyers from 15 to 20 states.

Arts Events Around the State

Material Witnesses
The National Quilt Museum, Paducah
Through Dec. 10
quiltmuseum.org
(270) 442-8856

The 200 Exhibition
Lexington Art League, Lexington
Sept. 22-Oct.13
lexingtonartleague.org
(859) 254-7024

Travel Scenic Kentucky Exhibit
Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
Through Oct. 28
kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov
(859) 985-5448

The Capitol Steps
SKyPAC, Bowling Green
7:30 p.m. Sept. 22
theskypac.com
(270) 904-1880

Inside|Out Exhibit
The Speed Art Museum, Louisville
Through Sept. 23
speedmuseum.org
(502) 634-2700

Lori Meadows is executive director of the Kentucky Arts Council.