Interview with Judy Sizemore, July 6, 2010

Partial Transcript: The interviewer is Amanda Fickey.

Segment Synopsis: Sizemore offers her background with the Kentucky Arts Council. She discusses her transition from an artist-in-residence to becoming a more committed member. She talks about becoming a circuit rider for the Council and working outreach. She discusses some of her responsibilities and topics that she promoted as a member of the Council.

Keywords: Eastern Kentucky; Kentucky Arts Council

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Appalachian Region.; Artists and their art; Artists.; Arts and crafts movement--United States.; Arts and crafts.; Craft festivals.; Regionalism and the arts.

Partial Transcript: So, let me ask you something about the Kentucky Crafted--

Segment Synopsis: Sizemore discusses the ways that, institutionally, the Kentucky Crafted program influences the arts and craft industry in Kentucky. She talks about the factors that encourage artists to conform their work to the standards of the Kentucky Crafted jury in order to be accepted. She also notes the contributions of the Kentucky Folk Life program, which she describes as offering a more traditional and authentic model than the Kentucky Crafted program. She discusses the topics of various workshops offered by Kentucky Crafted and the possibility of mixing both traditional forms with a more polished appearance. Sizemore talks about the tensions between both organizations.

Keywords: Kentucky Arts Council; Kentucky Crafted program; Kentucky Folk Life program

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Appalachian Region.; Artists and their art; Artists.; Arts and crafts movement--United States.; Arts and crafts.; Craft festivals.; Regionalism and the arts.

Partial Transcript: Um, I'm interested in the types of workshops, and you've touched on a few of them, as far as trends and so forth.

Segment Synopsis: Sizemore discusses the different types of workshops offered by the Kentucky Arts Council. She talks about the overall goal of self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship of the workshops. She notes her belief that business and marketing should be required for a college degree.

Keywords: Kentucky Arts Council

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Appalachian Region.; Artists and their art; Artists.; Arts and crafts movement--United States.; Arts and crafts.; Craft festivals.; Regionalism and the arts.

Partial Transcript: Um, you know, it seems like, uh, something that KAC [the Kentucky Arts Council] does that is really important, especially with the Kentucky Craft Marketing program, is what you mentioned earlier, they offer that logo--

Segment Synopsis: Sizemore discusses the importance of artists having the Kentucky Arts Council brand on their goods, and why they want to get approved by the Council and get the brand. She notes the appearance of quality and credibility implied by the badge. She then transitions to the topic of artists needing help understanding the value of their own labor and getting them grants and travel money.

Keywords: Kentucky Arts Council

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Appalachian Region.; Artists and their art; Artists.; Arts and crafts movement--United States.; Arts and crafts.; Craft festivals.; Regionalism and the arts.

Partial Transcript: Um, well, let me touch on this aspect of attitude for a second. One of the things that I had a difficult time understanding when I worked for the Center--

Segment Synopsis: Sizemore discusses the issues that some artists have had with the Kentucky Arts Council and the Craft Marketing program. She discusses how, in the past, that poorly worded criticism and strict requirements have turned people away from the programs. She also addresses the question of over-saturation of the market with certain goods.

Keywords: Craft Marketing program; Kentucky Arts Council; Kentucky Craft Marketing program

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Appalachian Region.; Artists and their art; Artists.; Arts and crafts movement--United States.; Arts and crafts.; Craft festivals.; Regionalism and the arts.

Partial Transcript: Um, well, let me get back to, um, another question of--you know, you mentioned that it's important to teach artists entrepreneurialism.

Segment Synopsis: Sizemore discusses the role of craft co-operatives as a method of organizing and uniting artists and crafters. She talks about the benefits of pooling resources and working outside the workshop structure. She also discusses the presence of young people, who are part of the community but feel that they are not listened to. She talks about the possible issues with forcing a small business model on artisans instead of encouraging them to work together.

Keywords: Red Bird Mission; Sheltowee Artisans

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Appalachian Region.; Artists and their art; Artists.; Arts and crafts movement--United States.; Arts and crafts.; Craft festivals.; Regionalism and the arts.

Partial Transcript: Yeah, speaking of Hindman, and the Appalachian Artisan Center, uh, it seems as though, they've had some difficulties keeping artists in their workshop spaces...

Segment Synopsis: Sizemore discusses the problems that the Appalachian Artisan Center has in regards to attracting support from both tourists and artists. She talks about the logistical issues with its location, limiting its appeal to tourists. She notes administration problems which caused some poor relationships with the artistic community.

Keywords: Appalachian Artisan Center (Hindman, Ky.)

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Appalachian Region.; Artists and their art; Artists.; Arts and crafts movement--United States.; Arts and crafts.; Craft festivals.; Regionalism and the arts.

Partial Transcript: Well, and those are good points about administration and about relationship building that failed in the beginning--

Segment Synopsis: Sizemore talks about the complications of mountaintop removal mining in promoting an Appalachian artistic culture. She notes the problems of extreme mining in the Appalachian region in terms of economics, environment, and culture. She expresses her displeasure at the process and its effect on the region. She talks about her support for the Appalachian Reforestation Initiative.

Keywords: Appalachian Reforestation Initiative; Mountaintop removal mining--Appalachian Region.; Mountaintop removal mining--Environmental aspects--Appalachian Region, Southern.; Mountaintop removal mining--Social aspects--Appalachian Region.

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Appalachian Region.; Artists and their art; Artists.; Arts and crafts movement--United States.; Arts and crafts.; Craft festivals.; Mountaintop removal mining; Regionalism and the arts.

Partial Transcript: Well, Judy, is there anything that we haven't touched on that you think would be good for me to, uh, reconsider or think about in the future, or any additional individual that you think might be a good person to talk to about the Kentucky Arts Council besides the actual employees, or?

Segment Synopsis: Sizemore offers Fickey a recommendation to speak with Ruth Ann Iwanski who works at David Appalachian Crafts next. She talks about the unique status of David Appalachian Crafts as a group in terms of its relationship with the criteria established by the Craft Marketing program. She ends the interview by complimenting Fickey as an interviewer.

Keywords: David Appalachian Crafts; Kentucky Arts Council; Kentucky Craft Marketing program

Subjects: Appalachian Region, Southern--Social life and customs.; Appalachian Region.; Artists and their art; Artists.; Arts and crafts movement--United States.; Arts and crafts.; Craft festivals.; Regionalism and the arts.