Fifty years of the best arts and crafts that Kentucky has to offer will be coming to Bowling Green, Kentucky, Saturday, May 21 from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, May 22 from 10 am to 5 pm, 2011. Some of the most talented people across Kentucky will come together to provide an opportunity for art lovers and collectors to purchase the highest quality hand made products, to enhance their homes, offices and also become beautiful gifts for loved ones and friends. The Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkerson Trace in Bowling Green is where you will find the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen Spring Show overflowing with exquisite art, hospitality and welcoming smiles.

The Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen is a juried organization of fine artists and fine craftsmen from all across the Commonwealth. Many art mediums are represented including: 2D painting, wood turning and outdoor furniture, jewelry, pottery, hand made children’s clothing, photography, clay board etching, metal work, handmade soap & body products, stained glass, dolls and rugs to name a few. Established in 1961, the KGAC has continued its’ mission to establish art and craft as a vital influence by promoting excellence through education, collaboration, leadership and service.

One of the first projects of the newly formed Kentucky Guild was The Guild Train. The Kentucky Guild Train rolled into towns all across Kentucky on a journey to bring art and economic opportunity to all areas of the Commonwealth. Two train cars, one set up as a Gallery contained paintings, sculptures & handcrafted items on loan from artists & museums, showed that handcrafted skills had value. The second car, had equipment ranging from a power saw to a hand loom, a potter’s wheel and wood lathe. Demonstrations of weaving, wheel thrown pottery and wood turning were preformed for school children and adults who visited the train.  Children went home and tried to “turn a pot” on a phonograph turn table. After only four years, 179,000 persons had visited the train’s many stopping points, coming from miles around, to view its treasures.

This was the beginning of education in arts and crafts in Kentucky and the nation. Once the era of the Guild Train ended, The Kentucky Guild provided a Spring and Fall Art Fair to showcase members’ work, educating the artist to create fine quality arts & crafts. As many as 20,000 people turned out for those early fairs. Then, as today, educating people that skill and talent to create the art work and traditional crafts has value is an important mission of the KGAC. Involving artists to start local craft industries was an important step in improving the local economy. They learned that skills like making soap, wood carving, or quilting, things they knew how to do had value to others.

The Guild provides opportunities to its artist members through scheduled exhibits and gallery shows around the state throughout the year. This provides individuals in many communities to not only view fine art and crafts, but to purchase works of art for themselves and others. KGAC also provides workshops and demonstrations to educate aspiring artists.

The Kentucky Guild collaborates with many other nonprofit organizations to extend and promote educational events that are the heart of their efforts to inspire the next generation of artists and craftsmen, and insure that the Kentucky tradition of creative expression continues to grow and enrich our lives.

The Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen Spring Fair in Bowling Green will allow people to purchase a fine piece of the latest art for their own home, adding value and beauty.  Mark your calendar for May 21st and 22nd. Admission is just $5.00 and children under 12 get in free. There is plenty of free parking at Sloan Convention Center. Phone:270-745-0088

Make plans to attend this event. Be part of the Kentucky’s Guild’s 50th year of tradition. Take part in the 2011 Spring Show. It is being presented just for you. Visit: www.kyguild.org, call 859-986-3192 or email info@kyguild.org for more information.