Arts Council lobbying for a Show of Hands

The Berea Arts Council wants to lend a few hands to the community in preparation for the opening of the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea. But before that can happen, they’re looking for a hand up from a few local businesses to help create the city’s first public art project. A number of public art projects have made a splash in cities around North America. Decorated fiberglass cows were a hit in the Windy City. Horses were a natural choice for Lexington, while moose were the mascot of choice for the City of Toronto, Canada. In Berea, the symbol of choice will be hands – fifteen colorful fiberglass figures, six feet in height, which will be showcased at designated places throughout Berea. “The hand came out of thinking about what Berea is about – the folk arts and crafts capital of Kentucky,” says Berea Arts Council Director Gwen Childs. “It’s a symbol of welcome and generosity, of friendliness. Those are all things that represent the best of Berea.” Childs said the project is being launched to coincide with the opening of the Artisan Center, not only as a way of celebrating the new showcase for Kentucky crafts, but also to remind tourists of the many retail and cultural opportunities throughout Berea.

“Businesses and craftspeople in town may be nervous about the opening of the center and what it is going to mean for the community – whether it will bring traffic into town or keep it out,” Childs says, noting the idea was first proposed by Berea Tourism Director Belle Jackson. “We wanted something that would really get people into town, to get them to explore the wonderful crafts people and shops.”

Childs said the sculptures would ideally be placed at heavily trafficked area of the city, including Highway 595, Chestnut Street, College Square, Old Town and the Artisan Center. Tourists will be encouraged to view the other hands through maps, which will be distributed at the Berea Welcome Center and the Artisan Center.

If all goes according to plan, Phoenix Poke Boats in Berea will mold and produce 15 hands next month. Artists will then be selected to participate in the project, and their works may be in place on public display as early as June 1. Until then, however, the Berea Arts Council is working to garner support from local businesses, encouraging them to partner with other businesses in the hope of raising the $4,000 fee required to produce each hand.

Childs has been calling on local business owners for support, including large retailers and banks, but she added the council won’t know how many corporate sponsors have signed on until the end of the year. Still, reaction to Show of Hands has been promising.

“The response was really enthusiastic – people thought it was a great idea,” Childs says.

To find out how to contribute to Show of Hands, contact the Berea Arts Council at 985-9317 or at bereaartscouncil@hotmail.com

written by Andy McDonald