Award-Winning Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2011 Open to Public March 19-20

The Kentucky Arts Council will bring its award-winning art fair, Kentucky Crafted: The Market, to the the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky, from March 17-20, 2011. Readers of AmericanStyle magazine have named Kentucky Crafted: The Market the number one art fair or festival in the nation for the past two years.

This is the 29th year of Kentucky Crafted: The Market, which is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20. It is open only to buyers from galleries and retail outlets on Thursday and Friday, March 17-18.

At this year’s fair, more than 200 Kentucky artists will exhibit and sell fine arts and crafts, architectural art, books, music and artisan foods. Exhibitors are carefully selected for artistic excellence and market readiness. Those chosen enjoy exposure to a wide trade audience as well as the public.

“The wholesale show has allowed me to network and become established with galleries and stores around Kentucky and in neighboring states,” said J-D Schall, a Louisville-based potter participating in his eighth Kentucky Crafted: The Market.

But Schall’s favorite part of Kentucky Crafted: The Market is the public marketplace days on Saturday and Sunday.

“I don't know if it's because spring is in the air but people are always in good spirits," Schall said. "And they spend some money, too.”

The Kentucky Arts Council has packed Saturday and Sunday with entertainment for the entire family. Besides shopping for fine arts from Kentucky’s own artists, other scheduled activities during the two-day public marketplace include live musical performances, puppet shows, children’s crafts and food samplings. View the official 2011 Kentucky Crafted: The Market program for more information.

Kentucky Crafted: The Market will be held in South Wing B of the Kentucky Exposition Center (937 Phillips Lane). Public hours are Saturday, March 19, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, March 20, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $8; kids 15 and under are free. Expo Center parking is $8.

HelloLouisville Tip: Go to the Kentucky Arts Council's Kentucky Crafted website and fill out a short survey to receive a coupon for $3 off one admission.

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