|
  Mission: The Appalachian Artisan Center is dedicated to building and strengthening an arts-based economic sector through education, business development and support services for artists. This sector includes crafters, musicians, storytellers and others that carry on the cultural traditions of the region.
Purpose statement: To develop the economy of eastern Kentucky through our arts, culture and heritage.
The Appalachian Artisan Center began as one of the many components of the Community Development Initiative—an effort to revitalize the economy and quality of life for Hindman and surrounding communities by utilizing their strongest asset: their rich artistic and cultural heritage.
The Appalachian Artisan Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The current full time staff are Tricia Watts, Executive Director and Amanda Combs, Assistant Director. The Center also has four part-time employees: Bridget Risner, Gallery Manager/Artist Liaison, Carol Thomas, Outreach Coordinator, Brandy Ramey, Cafe Manager and Mike Sexton, Maintenance and Operations. The current Master-Artists-in-Residence are Kevin Blomenkamp, Metal & Blacksmithing, David Wright, Woodworking. There is a very active Board of Directors consisting of: Dennis Dorton– Chair, Fran Redmon – Vice-Chair, Pat Sutton Bradley– Treasurer, Tim Short– Secretary, Pat Martin Bradley, Tim Glotzbach, Mike Mullins, Jan Stumbo, Mary Reed, Bill Weinberg, Karen Bearse, Anna Daniel Hall, Danny Terry, Melissa Quillen, Helen Wicker and Larry Parke.
HISTORY
The Appalachian Artisan Center opened its doors in December 2001 in what was formerly known as the Young Building. Built in 1913, it was reconstructed to suit the needs of a gallery. The original sandstone taken from the mountain adjacent to Main Street is still in place on the exterior of the building. Located downtown, it has been home to everything from Young’s Cash Store to a Ben Franklin Five and Dime.
FOCUS
The Appalachian Artisan Center focuses on nurturing and developing one of the region’s most precious assets—artists. Through a unique and innovative program, the Center helps artists make and sustain a living through their art.
The Artisan Center represents artists from 49 counties of eastern Kentucky. A quality review process has been developed to review artists wishing to sell their work through the gallery in order to maintain a standard for high quality. There are over 200 juried members who display and sell their work in the gallery. The retail is full of artwork such as jewelry, pottery, woven rugs, books, paintings, photographs, furniture, walking sticks, toys, quilts, baskets and much more. One has to see it all to really appreciate the love and labor that all the artists put into their work. There is also a special featured artist every two months to draw attention to the region’s best.
Another focus of the Appalachian Artisan Center is tourism. The Artisan Center promotes the region’s beautiful artwork, helping attract guests and create a positive image of our community in the minds of guests that visit from across the country and throughout the world. The Artisan Center highlights many of the things that make this region special. Tour groups are encouraged to make reservations so that demonstrators can be on hand to show how a traditional type of craft is made. |
