Folk Arts & Crafts Capital of Kentucky

Arts & Crafts in Berea, Kentucky

Designated the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky by the state legislature, Berea has been a working craft town for more than 125 years.

Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea

A state-operated showcase for the work of more than 800 Kentucky artisans — pottery, woodwork, glass, textiles, jewelry, foods, and books. Free admission, Saturday craft demonstrations, and a café make it the ideal first stop for any visit to Berea.

200 Artisan Way — I-75, Exit 77 · Open daily 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (Café 9:00 AM–4:00 PM)

Official Visitor Info →· Last verified: 2026-11-04

Berea College Student Craft & Log House Craft Gallery

Berea College students have produced handcrafted goods since the 1890s through the college's famous labor program. The historic Log House Craft Gallery sells student-made brooms, woven textiles, woodcraft, and ceramics — a craft tradition few colleges anywhere can match.

200 Estill St, College Square · Mon–Sat 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, Sun 1:00–5:00 PM

Official Visitor Info →· Last verified: 2026-11-04

Old Town Artisan Village & Berea Welcome Center

Berea's working-studio district, where you can watch artists at work — weavers, jewelers, glass artists, potters, and more — and buy directly from the maker. The Berea Welcome Center, housed in the restored 1917 L&N railroad depot at 3 Artist Circle, anchors the district.

3 Artist Circle (Historic L&N Depot), North Broadway · (800) 598-5263

Official Visitor Info →· Last verified: 2026-11-04

Annual Craft Events

July

Berea Craft Festival

More than 100 juried artisans from across the country gather under the trees at Indian Fort Theatre for three days of craft, music, food, and demonstrations. Running since 1982, it's one of the region's premier craft events.

July

Festival of Learnshops

Berea's hands-on making festival — dozens of short workshops where you learn directly from working artists: blacksmithing, weaving, glass, jewelry, cooking, and more.

Fall

Celebration of Traditional Music

Berea College's long-running festival of old-time Appalachian music, with concerts, jam sessions, and dance open to the community.

See dates and details on our events calendar.

Why Berea?

Berea's craft tradition began in the 1890s, when Berea College's "Fireside Industries" encouraged Appalachian weaving and woodwork as both livelihood and heritage. That legacy grew into a town where dozens of working artists live, teach, and sell — earning Berea its official designation as the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky.