Kentucky’s premiere showcase for the work of artists and craftsmen has been “touched” by a Somerset design firm.
A new logo for The Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen was created locally by KSD, just in time for the organization’s 40th anniversary.
The finished product is being unveiled this weekend at the Indian Fort Theater in Berea during the Guild’s annual Spring Fair, a showcase of some of the state’s best wood carvings, pottery and other handcrafted work.
In the symbol, the hand of an artist lightly touches the surface of water, creating a ripple.
“The artist’s drive to create was chosen as the central theme early on in the process,” says Kirby Stephens.
“The Kentucky Guild members’ work is so diverse. We couldn’t just use a handwoven scarf or a bentwood chair as the symbol for the organization because so many other members would not feel it was representative of their particular craft.”
The designers then looked for a common aspect within the many types of artwork.
“The hand was an obvious choice,” says Bill Jones, the logo’s lead designer, “since all the work is handmade. The water is a kind of stand-in for the natural materials used in teh craftsman’s work, like wood, clay, netals and natural fibers like wool.”
“The Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen feel that the new logo designed by Kirby Stephens Design communicates the message we want to send about what KGAC is today and what our mission is. It embodies the magic of creativity, the ripple effect our organization has across the Commonwealth and the contunuing progress we strive for,” says Allsion kaiser, executive director of the Guild.
“We are thrilled with the new logo. It is a great way to launch our 40th anniversary and KGAC’s new mission and goals. Kirby’s group did an excellent job.”
While the craft fairs are the thing for which the Guild is most known, with attendees routinely traveling from as far away as Arizona and Michigan, the organization counts arts education as a goal that’s equally important.
The group believes if an artist makes an impression on a young person today, they will see that effort ripple into the future in many ways.
For instance, several current Kentucky Guild members say their first exposure to the arts was through the organization’s earliest efforts in the 1960’s. The ripples in the logo represent this great potential for expanding influence.
Over 100 artisans generally participate in the Spring Fair.
Baskets, potters, metal work, jewelry, woodcrafts and a variety of other items are on display and for sale.
One unique aspect of this show is that the exhibits, artists’ demonstrations, food vendors and musicians are all set up along a winding path through the woods.
The show for this 40th anniversary year also includes a one-time special retrospective exhibit of the work of several founding Kentucky Guild members.
The Spring Fair runs today through Sunday from 10am until 5pm at Indian Fort Theater, 3 miles east of Berea on Ky 21.
For more information, call the Kentucky Guild office at 859-986-3192.