Of Hands and Hearts: The Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen
Episode #601 First Aired: September 28, 2013
Learn the rich history of a longtime Kentucky institution, and meet some of the artisans who make up its membership, when Kentucky Muse presents “Of Hands and Hearts: The Kentucky Guild of Artists & Craftsmen.”
The program provides a picture of what drives these artists and craftspeople individually, as well as the importance of an artisan community connection provided by being a member of the guild.
The visually stunning documentary shows off the artistic process, showcasing artists at work in their studios.
To tell the story of the guild, KET introduces you to artists of various ages and media, providing a sense of individual works and perspectives of guild membership. Interwoven into these profiles is a history of the guild, which at one time sponsored a craft train that traveled the state. Today, it has become a living, growing organization fostering careers of longtime members and young artists alike.
You’ll meet:
- Jewelry maker Carrie Blackburn of Winchester, who uses lost-wax technique to cast sterling silver
- Traditional basket weavers Gin Petty and Janet Northern, both lifetime guild members
- Potter Matthew Gaddie, who operates a wood-fired kiln on a farm in Bardstown
- Acclaimed stained glass artist Dan Neil Barnes, who calls the guild an “eternal flame” that plays a vital role in career development for artists
- And many others, while also making visits to the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea and the fall craft fair.