Oct 1, 2010

Inaugural Indiana Artisan Marketplace to showcase locally made art, food

Indianapolis, IN – Showcasing the creations of Indiana’s best artists and artisans, the Indiana Artisan Marketplace debuts at the Expo Hall at the Indiana State Fairgrounds April 16-17, 2011. Approximately 150 artisans from Indiana and an additional 75 artisans from Kentucky will showcase art and food selected as being among the best in Indiana and Kentucky by food and art jury panels created by Indiana Artisan and Kentucky Crafted.

Indiana Artisan Marketplace is a chance to buy one-of-a-kind artwork and artisan food directly from the Hoosiers who made it, to meet the artisans and to share their stories. Visitors will be able to watch artisans create artwork before their eyes, cultivate relationships with their favorite artisans and celebrate Indiana talent and creativity.

In addition to browsing the booths, visitors will enjoy Indiana music, literary readings, live art and craft demonstrations, and food and drink tasting.

“Our goal with the marketplace is to connect the producer of the artwork and food with buyers, both wholesale buyers and consumers,” said Tom Prichard, chair of the Indiana Artisan Marketplace. Prichard, a retired executive from Biomet, and his wife, Judy, both Indiana Artisans, make pottery at their studio and gallery in Brown County.

“We’ve modeled the Indiana Artisan Marketplace after an extremely successful program called Kentucky Crafted, which is in its 29th year and attracts approximately 8,000 visitors and 600 wholesale buyers to its annual Market in Louisville,” said Prichard.

The marketplace will be open for wholesale buyers only on April 15.

Indiana Artisan was established in 2008 to identify and support the business development of Hoosier entrepreneurs who create high-quality arts, crafts and value-added foods (think salsa, not tomatoes … wine, not grapes). It was launched as a joint venture of the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Indiana Arts Commission, and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. The program is transitioning to become a private, not-for-profit organization.

The work of more than 150 artisans has been juried into the program and may leverage the Indiana Artisan brand. The work of additional artisans will be selected during a jury panel session in January 2011.

Indiana Artisans include painters, beekeepers, woodworkers, winemakers, jewelry designers, weavers, makers of specialty cheeses and more. Program manager Eric Freeman says, “An Indiana Artisan is a Hoosier recognized for careful attention to detail, knowledge of a craft and an entrepreneurial spirit. His or her talent contributes to Indiana’s reputation for quality work.”