Chartered in 1956, the Louisville Artisans Guild is Kentucky’s oldest guild dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in arts and crafts.
Just as developing any great work of art begins with an idea or inspiration, for the Guild it all started as a small group of local-area craftsmen meeting at a local bar sensing the need to share their successes and frustrations at pursuing a career in the visual arts. Founded under the name "Louisville Craftsmen's Guild" the intent was simply to have a venue for members to discuss their craft and the business concerns of selling.
It has since grown into a membership group consisting of artists, craftsmen, educators, collectors, students and many others in the Louisville Metro area. In 2002 the Guild updated its name to "The Louisville Artisans Guild" to reflect the broader membership base and its commitment to both practicing and supporting roles in the visual arts.
The Guild continues its tradition of conducting regular meetings (though not in the aforementioned bar!) not only to discuss their recent endeavors, but also to host guest artists and business consultants to share their insights and observations.
The Guild sponsors and promotes an annual "Holiday Showcase" for its juried members. The popular fairs have been successful in providing an opportunity for members to exhibit and sell their work to the community. The fair is scheduled to run at the start of the Christmas holiday buying season.
Through the Guild, members are able to enjoy the fellowship of other area artists and craftspeople. There are a variety of educational events for Guild members. To help expand our knowledge of how others create their work topics for general membership meetings include: