Ken Gastineau

1. When did you (or your family) first move to Berea? 1987

2. Why?

Sally and I met in Santa Fe, New Mexico and that is where we started our business. Properties values in the Santa Fe were prohibitive to our business and family plan so we decided to move to Sally’s home State of Kentucky. We did some investigation and soon discovered that there was far more support in Kentucky for artisans than what we experienced in New Mexico. Kentucky has the Kentucky Arts Council, the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, the Kentucky Arts and Craft Foundation, and the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen that provide opportunities that are not available just anywhere in the U.S.A. In determining where to move in Kentucky, it did not take us long to settle on Berea. We made a marketing trip to Lexington during a visit with Sally’s family in Louisville and met with Lila Bellando at their Victoria Square store, which they operated at the time, about selling our jewelry in their store and she told us that if we were looking for an artist environment to move to in Kentucky then why not take a look at Berea. So we did and moved here the following year.

3. Please name family members: (parents, siblings, wife, children) My Father is Guy Gastineau who lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Mary. Her son Rick King manages, writes for and plays in the Louise Mandrel Band in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. My mother Wanda Mae Gastineau died in 1990. I have an older sister Marianne Jean Lawson, who lives in Missouri, and my younger brother and sister are twins, Jerry Gastineau lives in Albuquerque. NM and Judy Weger lives in California. My wife is Sally Gastineau and my son is Guy Gastineau (same as my dad). 4. What occupations have you held in Berea? My primary occupation has been as a self-employed artisan. I have been self-employed for over twenty years.

5. What volunteer or elected committees have you served on?

I have served as an elected official to the Berea City Council for two terms and in that capacity have been appointed by the Mayor to the Public Works and Personnel committees. I have served on the board of the Berea Chamber of Commerce for many years, the board of the Kentucky Citizens for the Arts, Tactic Team 5.3.4 Kentucky Economic Development Strategic Plan, EKU Technology Center - Product development initiative for Artisans 1999, previous board member of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, and I serve as chairman of the Artisan Advisory committee to the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.

6. What do you consider the biggest change you think Berea has endured? Growth

7. What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

I have been able to maintain my career as a working artist and to work politically to create opportunities for artisans and Berea to build a stronger base for economic and community development. I worked very hard after the tornado that hit Berea in 1996 to build interest in Frankfort for partnering with Berea to promote the Craft Industry. These efforts were rewarded by the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, which is under construction now. In 1998 I was elected to the Berea City Council and that meant a lot more time away from my working studio. My wife Sally kept up with our business and family, so maybe my greatest accomplishment was talking such a great woman into marrying me 17 years ago.

8. What do you feel is the best thing about living in Berea? The people.

9. If you could change one thing about Berea what would it be? The weather.

10. What's the one thing you hope never changes about Berea?

The feeling of living in a village.