Interview with Craig Dial, August 9, 2010

Interview Summary

Craig Dial describes the origins of Red Bird Mission and its strategy of holding craft shows in Methodist churches. He describes Red Bird Mission's initial partnership with the Kentucky Craft Market and talks about the issues with the program that led Red Bird Mission to quit the market. He talks about Red Bird Mission's main goal: to help artists find ways to make money with their crafts. Dial discusses some of the advantages and disadvantages of craft cooperatives. He talks about why crafters quit due to lack of income from crafts and discusses economic opportunity in the region. Dial discusses the ethical issues surrounding the higher cost of locally made products versus cheaper products made overseas. Dial discusses why Red Bird Mission does not get involved in certain issues affecting the region, including mountain top removal.

Interview Keyword

Red Bird Mission Mountaintop removal Kentucky Craft Market Craftspeople Income Economic development

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Dial, Craig Dial, Craig--Interviews Handicraft--Appalachian Region Handicraft--Kentucky Arts and crafts. Artisans Artists--Economic conditions. Craft festivals. Coal mines and mining--Appalachian Region

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

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