New exhibits and exciting demonstrations by talented artists celebrate Earth Day throughout the month of April at the Kentucky Artisan Center. The juried exhibit “Reveal: Large 2-D Works” can be seen in the lobby through June 16, 2019, and features the work of Sabra L. Crockett, Damon Farmer, Felipe Molina and Robbie Mueller. In the main gallery through May 6, is the exhibit “The Great Kentucky Cover Up” displaying full sized quilts by Glenna Blakley, Brenda Plaster, Janet Serrenho and Karen Witt.
Below is a list of dates and events beginning on Saturday, April 6:
Saturday, April 6
• 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Carved and Painted Gourds by Donna & Donnie Smith
The Smiths’ journey as craftspeople began 25 years ago, when they planted gourds by their back porch. Donna draws floral or animal imagery on the surface and embellishes it with a wood-burning tool, inks and paint.
Sunday, April 7
• 10:30 a.m. to 3:30
Berea College Broom Demonstration
Berea College’s Student Craft Program presents a broom making demonstration at the Center by college students.
Saturday, April 13
• 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sterling Jewelry Demonstrated by Rachel Savané
Rachel Savané studied metals at the University of Illinois and abroad in Denmark. In 2003, she opened Savané Silver Gallery in Lexington on West Main Street. Savané designs a line of jewelry with streamlined settings using native Kentucky Agates as centerpieces.
Sunday, April 14
• 10:30 a.m. to 3:30
Berea College Weaving Demonstration
Berea College’s Student Craft Program presents a demonstration at the Center by college students.
Saturday, April 20
• 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Demonstration from the Berea Welcome Center Carvers
Two members of the Berea Welcome Center Carvers will demonstrate their individual woodcarving techniques. These Central-Kentucky artisans demonstrate on the third Saturday of every month at the Kentucky Artisan Center.
Saturday, April 27
• 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Colorful Polymer Clay Jewelry Demonstrated by BeSpoken Design Artists
Diana Smith Thomas and James Rich of BeSpoken Designs will create colorful jewelry from polymer clay at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.
With design and color as his forte, Rich translates his drawings and pen and ink studies into colorful polymer clay. Using a variety of colors, he constructs intricate polymer clay “canes”.
A “cane” is a rod made up of two or more colors, layered to make a pattern that when cut in a cross-section, reveals a design.
Smith Thomas, a Berea College graduate, takes the constructed polymer clay “cane” designs made by Rich, and creates unique jewelry and wearable art. She takes sliced sections of the polymer clay and folds, cuts and joins them, to create necklace pendants, earrings and pins.
Photos, left to right: Cat Box Gourd by Donna & Donnie Smith; Berea College Brooms; Woodcarvings by Keith Flowers, Pendants necklace by BeSpoken Design artists James Rich and Diana Smith-Thomas