On April 10, 2002, Governor Paul Patton joined state and local officials
wielding handcrafted brooms in a symbolic ground clearing ceremony for
construction of the Kentucky Artisans Center at Berea.
The “ground-clearing” took place at the Center’s 10-acre site, just off I-75 at
exit 77. Officials from the City of Berea, Berea College, and Eastern Kentucky
University, plus four state government cabinets that are involved in the
center's construction and operation participated in the event.
The Center’s Executive Director Victoria Faoro welcomed those present and
thanked the Bluegrass Ensemble musicians for their opening rendition of "My Old
Kentucky Home." A series of board members and other dignitaries briefly spoke
of the Center's development and its impact on the region and state: Berea Mayor
Clifford Kerby; County Judge Executive Kent Clark; Berea College President
Larry Shinn; Berea artist and board member Mitchell Tolle; and Secretary of
Education, Arts and Humanities and board member Dr. Marlene Helm.
Secretary of Tourism Development and board chair Ann R. Latta then spoke. The
center will be operated by the Kentucky Tourism Development Cabinet. Secretary
Ann Latta pointed out that the Education Arts & Humanities, Transportation, and
Finance and Administration Cabinets are also involved in the project, as are
Berea College, Eastern Kentucky University and the City of Berea.
"This center will include a unique blend of travel information, education, and
arts," she said. "It will provide the friendly service Kentucky is famous for
and exciting opportunities for visitors to learn about Kentucky's artisans and
their work, make purchases, and discover more about Kentucky’s other
attractions. Expected to draw some 400,000 tourists a year, the center will
have a major impact on local and state tourism revenues. Secretary Latta then
introduced the featured speaker, Governor Paul E. Patton.
Calling it "truly a partnership effort," Patton pointed out that the center
involves state and local government, educational institutions and the arts
community. "It will also blend the traditional crafts we are famous for with
the most avant-garde work being done today, another partnership of old and
new," he said. "The Artisans Center will focus on Kentucky's outstanding
artists, showing their wares and providing a new sales outlet and economic
opportunities for those who make a living from the works of their hands."
Speakers and other board members, legislators, and other officials present then
participated in a "ground sweeping" ceremony. The use of brooms to sweep
instead of the traditional shovels used to break ground was explained. The word
"breaking" didn't seem right for this center that represents so many
partnerships, so the Center chose to clear an area, using hearthsweep brooms
produced by students in the Berea College Crafts Program.
Following the program, those present were invited to continue to Churchill
Weavers in downtown Berea where a shawl was to be cut from the loom by Governor
Patton in celebration of this business's 80th anniversary, and to explore
elsewhere in this city designated as Kentucky's Folk Art and Crafts Capital.
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