Stay in a unique lodging with John G. Fee history abound !
Since the original Home Spun Fair in 1896, Berea has been synonymous with the rich Appalachian traditions of art, craft, and music. Today studio artists, writers and musicians demonstrate their skill and express themselves in a wide range of traditional and contemporary media.
Stroll through Berea and listen to the dulcimer, the sound of the weaver’s shuttle, the cutting of the jeweler’s saw or the woodworker’s plane. From small shops and large galleries, down gravel lanes and tree lined walkways, the artisans of Berea are at work.
Enter the artists’ world and observe the process and practice of handcrafted art. Take away a better understanding of how molten glass is formed, how instruments are strung, and how a warp and weft weave.
Berea is the Folk Arts & Crafts Capital of Kentucky by decree of the state legislature. Berea is also included in National Geographic’s list of "Small Town Escapes" and Southern Living’s "Favorite Small Towns in America."
Berea is the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky largely because of the presence of Berea Studio Artists. These arts professionals are admitted to the Berea Studio Artists program through a rigorous jury process. They derive their livelihood solely from the making of arts and crafts.
Their studios make up the backbone of Berea’s arts and crafts ‘corridor’, which links Old Town Artisans Village, College Square, and Chestnut Street. With open doors, these artists gladly share their stories, their creative process, and their work with visitors from around the world.
Help keep art alive in Berea, look for the "Studio Artists of Berea: Artists at Work" icons on the map and on signs as you wander through town!
Jimmy Lou left the world of scientific discovery to make discoveries of her own in the ancient art of lampworking. Unlike other glass mediums, this involves melting and manipulating glass without blowing air. Her beaded creations harken back to a childhood love of marbles.
‘Hot Flash Beads’ was a natural name choice after Jimmy Lou began experiencing middle age. Visitors to the Honeysuckle Vine—a shop she co-owns with sister Dinah Tyree—can watch Jimmy Lou heat-fuse intricate glass patterns into her beadwork and other designs.
As a child, Michelle spent hours studying tidal waters and sea creatures. This childhood love is evident today as she coaxes 2000-degree glass into inspired forms like her signature starfish.
Born in New Zealand, Michelle and her parents immigrated to the United States in her youth. Introduced to glass blowing at Hastings College in Nebraska. She then received a Master’s degree in Fine Art from Bowling Green State University, Ohio.
Michelle’s goal is to provide high quality, handcrafted glass giftware at affordable prices. Each unique creation, bears her signature and the date. Michelle works with galleries and enjoys developing custom designs for commission projects.
The youngest of ten children, Warren was born in a log home in Carroll, Kentucky. He has more than 30 years experience in professional furniture and dulcimer making. His formal training took shape at Eastern Kentucky University where he earned a Master’s focused on classical woodworking.
Warren has made more than 13,000 traditional Appalachian dulcimers. His commitment to authentic design and playing style has earned him a national reputation.
Browsers can find Warren and his assistants hand carving furniture, dovetailing drawers, cutting dulcimer sound holes, installing frets, and completing the final stringing in College Square.
Brothers Doug and Wally Haley share this belief: "Craftsmanship goes far beyond the manipulation of one’s hand -- it’s a state of mind that is satisfied with nothing less than excellence."
Raised on a dairy farm, the Kentucky natives earned degrees at Eastern Kentucky University, then promptly launched their business. Their forty years experience is evident in their craftsmanship of fine furniture. Doug designs most pieces. Wally brings his expertise to the finishing work. Continuing in the family tradition, Doug’s son Daniel works in the shop as well.
Jeannette Rowlett fashions her wire-wrapped jewelry from thin strands of sterling silver and 14k gold filled wire. A solder-less method, she manipulates the wire by hand using simple tools and gentle nudges.
Jeanette is a retired teacher and school administrator. Ironically, it was a gift she made for a colleague that inspired her passion for jewelry making.
Each piece has its own identity—in every turn, twist, or curl of wire and beaded accent. Her desire is that every piece bring joy to its owner who will wear again and again.
Lindy began by designing dolls for family and friends. Her love has blossomed into a 30-year career as a professional doll maker.
A former teacher and school administrator, she spent years studying people’s expressions and facial characteristics. Those experiences help Lindy sculpt polymer clay into amazingly life-like dolls and Santa collectibles. Special touches like vintage fabrics and antique toys bring Santa and his Elves to life, making a believer of even the biggest skeptic.
Neil a weaving student at Berea College, received a degree in Spanish and won the Sara Fuller Prize Loom, a high honor. The college promptly employed him as a weaver with Fireside Industries. He left Berea College to set up the craft program for Fort Boonesborough State Park.
A serious weaver for over three decades, he has woven cloth in wool, linen, and even Mylar, but he prefers to work with cotton. His work is in all the corners of the Earth. Mary Colmer is renowned for her cornshuck dolls done in the "Ritchie" style and she creates scenes and characters using natural product. Neil and Mary can both be found at their shop, Weaver’s Bottom, in Old Town.
Ken’s interest in torches and steel was ignited in high school shop class, but it was the distant lands of Aztec and Mayan civilizations that fueled his vision. An interest in sculpture combined with these influences help define his jewelry making and metal work. Elements of earth, fire, and water fuse together in an age-old process to produce items that are both beautiful and timeless.
At the studio, Ken and Sally Gastineau transform pewter, bronze, and sterling silver into beautiful jewelry and household items. Their work is sold throughout the country and often features regional icons like Shaker quilts, horses and their own contemporary designs.
Whether your interests are crafts, music, literature, other arts, history, heritage or just an enjoyable rest stop with friendly service,you’ll want to visit the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea. It’s all Kentucky. Admission is free! Route 595, Berea. Visit us on the web: www.KentuckyArtisanCenter.ky.gov
For the latest information on the activities and events going on in Berea, Kentucky, visit the Berea Tourism web site at: http://www.berea.com .
