The Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft Opens Two New Exhibitions

Written by Cindy Capstick Friday, 29 July 2011 20:02

Louisville, KY.- The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft is pleased to present two new exhibtions, “Moving Forward, Circling Back: Celebrating 50 Years of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen” and “Kentucky Biennial II: KMAC Artist Members’ Show”. Both shows open on July 30th and remain on view until October 15th. KMAC, which will host an opening reception for these exhibitions on Thursday, August 11, will also offer for sale an exclusive exhibition catalog detailing the artists and works in “Moving Forward, Circling Back: Celebrating 50 Years of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen.”

“Moving Forward, Circling Back” includes over 100 artists, craftspeople and organizations who are current or past members of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen. The exhibition, guest-curated by folk art expert Larry Hackley, includes works from a variety of Kentucky Guild artists, such as Dobree Adams, Berea College, Dave Caudill, Churchill Weavers, Neil DiTeresa, Wayne Ferguson, Sarah Frederick, Craig Kaviar, Alma Lesch, Rude Osolnik, Jacque Parsley, and Brook White. “This exhibition is exceptional in that it celebrates 50 years of fine art and fine craft from Kentucky,” said KMAC Interim Executive Director Martha Winans Slaughter. “It is not all-inclusive but simply a snapshot of work that has been or is currently being produced throughout Kentucky.” “Kentucky Biennial II: KMAC Artist Members’ Show,” juried by Karen Gillenwater, curator of the Carnegie Center for Art and History in New Albany, IN, is the second in a series of  exhibitions created by KMAC as part of the Museum’s ongoing commitment to promote and support Kentucky’s artists. The inaugural biennial, which took place in 2008, featured new and emerging artists. “This exhibition, designed to complement the craft art of ‘Moving Forward, Circling Back,’ showcases the breadth and depth of the artistic expression of our artist members,” said Ms. Slaughter. “The exhibition is not a competition but rather a celebration of the artistic talent of our members.” “Kentucky Biennial II” offers works by nearly 50 artists, including Ann Adamek, Keith Auerbach, Claudia Hammer, Vallorie Henderson, Mary Dennis Kannapell, Nana Lampton, C. J. Pressma, Scott Scarboro and Petersen Thomas.

Founded in 1981 by Phyllis George Brown, then First Lady of Kentucky and former Miss America, the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft (formerly Art and Craft Foundation) was started as a dream to build interest in the state's rich craft and art resources. In 1984 the organization moved into the lower level of 609 West Main Street for retail and exhibition space. Since 1984 the organization has presented over 175 exhibitions, reaching approximately 65,000 viewers annually.  By 1991 the Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation was a leader on the national forefront in preserving and advancing the art and craft heritage of Kentucky.  As part of the national 'Year of the American Craft' the organization was recognized for making exemplary and unprecedented contributions to the documentation and interpretation of the cultural history of the commonwealth. The organization has seen artists progress from novices to masters and Main Street transform from an almost a deserted noncommercial street to the thriving business and cultural district it is today.  However, the organization's commitment to preserving one of Kentucky's most precious resources, its continuing tradition of fine craftsmanship, has remained the same.

By bringing the work of nationally recognized artists to Kentucky and by bringing the work of Kentucky artists to the national scene, KMAC has been able to preserve art and craft heritage and advance it. In January of 2001 the organization purchased two adjacent buildings at 715 and 717 West Main Street in the heart of Louisville's West Main Street Historic District (thanks to a successful Capital Campaign). Built in the 1880's the building is a four-story cast iron structure with a beautiful pastel facade and giant windows.  After renovation, the facility provides us with 27,000 square feet of interior space in which to operate, spread over four floors and a lower level. This is an increase from the 10,000 square feet they used to occupy at 609 West Main Street. The new facility increased the size and visibility of the Gallery Shop, with frontage on Main Street, and houses three exhibition galleries: the Steve Wilson Gallery, the Mary + Al Shands Gallery, and the Lindy + Bill Street Gallery. The Lindy + Bill Street Gallery, on the second floor overlooking Main Street, is rented for meetings and entertaining.  The third floor houses the Education Center and the fourth floor is used for administrative offices. The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft has an emerging collection of objects that relate to their history of showing and promoting crafts in Kentucky. Housed in the Brown-Forman Gallery on the third floor, our Permanent Collection features work by artists such as Marvin Finn, Rebecca Seigel, Minnie & Garland Adkins, Sarah Frederick, Rude Osolnik, Alma Lesch and Wayne Ferguson. Visit the museum's website at ... http://www.kentuckyarts.org

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