Interview with Mary Reed, August 3, 2010

Interview Summary

Reed discusses her background and how she entered the craft industry. She talks about several craft organizations she has been associated with. Reed discusses the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen; notably, she offers her criticism of the organization, concerned about its lack of leadership and decentralized structure. She also expresses her concern about the lack of funding or scholarships for rising artists. Reed talks about the Kentucky Craft Market Program and how it offered better funding for artists than through the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen. She discusses the role of gender in the craft industry. She talks about the process of craft work becoming her sole source of income. She discusses the differences in art styles among different artists and craftsmen and also discusses the controversy over the use of equipment and modern technology in crafting. Reed discusses the role that the handicraft industry plays in the economy of Kentucky. She considers the future of the craft industry.

Interview Keyword

Artist's life Artists and their art Artists--Economic conditions. Artists--Social conditions. Craft festivals. Kentucky Arts and Crafts Foundation Kentucky Craft History and Education Association Kentucky Craft Market Program

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Artists. Arts and crafts movement--United States. Arts and crafts. Handicraft--Appalachian Region Handicraft--Kentucky Reed, Mary Reed, Mary--Interviews Regionalism and the arts.

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.