The Kentucky Arts Council Welcomes New Kentucky Crafted Artists

December 10, 2025

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 10, 2025) – The Kentucky Arts Council has accepted 26 new artists into its prestigious Kentucky Crafted program. The Kentucky Crafted initiative supports visual and craft artists with business training, networking, exhibitions and promotional opportunities to help grow their small businesses. 

The program offers participants the chance to showcase their work at one of the commonwealth’s most highly anticipated New Kentucky Home events, the Kentucky Crafted Market. The annual market will be held March 6-8, 2026, at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena and will feature the finest in Kentucky visual art and craft. 

“The Kentucky Crafted Program has long been a hallmark of artistic excellence in our state, and we’re proud to welcome these new artists into such a distinguished tradition,” said Chris Cathers, executive director of the Kentucky Arts Council. “Our artists are independent business owners who help drive Kentucky’s local economies. When people choose to buy local art, they strengthen small businesses and help our communities flourish.”

This year’s new members include painters, photographers, jewelers and ceramicists from 15 counties across the commonwealth. Nicole Hunter is the artist behind Redhead Girl Pottery in Richmond.

“I applied to Kentucky Crafted to help expand the reach of my art,” Hunter said. “With a background in mental health, I understand the power art has to heal individuals as well as our communities. My medium of expression is clay. It is a very tactile medium that encourages self-connection and acceptance of imperfections. My hope is to help encourage safe spaces, moments, and connections for others to process emotions that have not yet found a voice.”

Artists who have been juried into the Kentucky Crafted program in the most recent panel review, listed by name, county and discipline are: 

Jes Allen, Jefferson, 2D mixed media
Michelle Bergman, Kenton, 2D mixed media
Anne Beyer, Calloway, ceramics
Jama Carter, Jefferson, jewelry
Jason Childers, Fayette, natural/organic
Stacey R. Chinn-Hart, Fayette, ceramics
Amy Gambrel, Whitley, fiber
Stephanie Gemperline, Fayette, 2D mixed media
Elizabeth (Cissy) Hamilton, Fayette, painting
Brandon Hein, Jefferson, painting
Claire Hughes, Woodford, leather
Nicole Hunter, Madison, ceramics
Barbara Johnston, Knox, painting
Kay Kass, Cumberland, baskets
David Kring, Fayette, ceramics
Tammy Lair, Madison, painting
Peggy Ann Lonsway-Crago, Clay, ceramics
Roddy Lyles, Marshall, leather
Marlee Mincher, Jefferson, ceramics
Ava St. Clair, Grayson, ceramics
Jennifer Vaughn, Anderson, 2D mixed media, painting
Marie Waddell Pearson, Fayette, painting
Rebecca Wheat, Madison, jewelry
Lee Whitney, Russell, painting
Paula Zaglul, Fayette, 2D mixed media
Hannah Zeno, Franklin, jewelry

For more information on the Kentucky Crafted Market, visit the Kentucky Arts Council’s website.