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Lakshmi Sriraman of Lexington built a career as a performer and teacher of classical Indian dancing, but in February 2017 she added another layer to her artistry when she started painting.
Sriraman split her time between dance rehearsal and the canvas, and eventually decided in 2018 to apply for the Kentucky Arts Council’s Kentucky Crafted arts marketing program. In September, she was one of nine Kentucky artists juried into the elite program.
Kentucky Crafted is an adjudicated arts marketing assistance program that provides opportunities to Kentucky visual and craft artists through arts business training, networking, sales, exhibit and promotional opportunities. Adjudicated visual and craft artists become eligible to exhibit at The Kentucky Crafted Market, March 15-17, 2019, at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena in Lexington.
“It’s a tremendous validation of an artist to be selected for Kentucky Crafted, especially since I’m a self-starting artist,” Sriraman said. “I literally started painting in February 2017 and I’ve had a lot of feedback from friends who said I should apply. I was hesitant in the beginning, but I said, ‘I’m going to do it.’ The worst that could happen is that I’d get good constructive criticism on how to improve my application in the future.”
Sriraman was already familiar with the arts council’s jurying process, having been adjudicated into the Performing Artists Directory in 2013.
“I’m very grateful for the support and infrastructure the Kentucky Arts Council provides to artists here,” she said. “When I see the care the arts council takes with the adjudication process, I realize it’s all there for a reason. The arts council highlights the best in Kentucky art, and it’s a great honor to be included in that list.”
Teresa Webb is another relatively new artist who was juried into Kentucky Crafted. She creates unique dolls in her home-based studio in Berea. She agreed with Sriraman that there’s a validation in carrying the Kentucky Crafted brand.
“I’m no longer a hobbyist,” she said. “I can finally say I’m a maker.”
Webb is looking forward to joining the community of Kentucky’s finest visual and craft artists, and is interested in expanding her business.
“I would love to be able to contact someone and say, ‘I know you do woodworking, but how can what you’re doing relate to what I’m doing?’ I want to keep learning. It’s a whole new world. I want to learn from others so I can apply those lessons to my craft.”
The new Kentucky Crafted program artists are:
- Robert Bridges (Rob Bridges Illustration), Georgetown, painting
- Margaret Cooney (Cooney Pottery), Elizabethtown, ceramics
- Michelle Hayden (Michelle Hayden Fine Art), Richmond, sculpture
- Edward Lawrence (Zedz Press), Frankfort, photography
- Sharon Matisoff, Frankfort, painting
- David Neace, Nicholasville, painting
- Lakshmi Sriraman (Lakshmi’s Studio), Lexington, painting
- Teresa Webb (Worker Bee Sewing Co.), Berea, fiber art
- Mary Ann Woolery-Bussey (Blue Lick Hollow), Berea, fiber art
Applicants to the program must be visual or craft artists who have a well-developed body of work in any medium, full-time residents of Kentucky, and over the age of 18. For more information on the Kentucky Crafted program, contact Dave Blevins at david.blevins@ky.gov or 502-892-3120.
On Saturday, November 24 Bob Bernhardt and the Louisville Orchestra will celebrate the holiday season with two concerts filled with Christmas cheer and the phenomenal talent of LaKisha Jones from American Idol! The festivities begin at 11AM with a one-hour concert for the whole family. Bring the kids early to meet Santa in The Kentucky Center lobby and participate in the pre-concert activities! At 8PM, the twohour LO Pops concert brings more music and magic of the holidays!
Principal Pops Conductor Bob Bernhardt continues to bring his unique combination of easy style, infectious enthusiasm and wonderful musicianship to the city and orchestra he loves. He has been a constant presence with the Louisville Orchestra for the past 37 years.
LaKisha Jones makes her Louisville Orchestra debut with her favorite holiday tunes like Mariah Carey’s, “All I Want for Christmas is You” and “O Holy Night!”
The Louisville Youth Choir joins in for musical highlights from popular holiday films like Home Alone and The Polar Express!
Tickets to Home for the Holidays range from $15-$85* and are available by calling 502.584.7777 or visiting LouisvilleOrchestra.org. Pro-rated subscription packages are still available by calling 502.587.8681 or by visiting LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
Brightside will hold its fall planting event Saturday, November 10 along West Broadway. Volunteers will join Brightside, who has partnered with the Division of Community Forestry and corporate sponsors to plant approximately 115 trees on West Broadway between 22nd and 37th streets.
“Brightside’s Community-Wide Planting Day is a terrific example of how we can be compassionate neighbors and caregivers of the environment,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “This year’s 115 trees will add to the 150 planted in 2015. West Broadway neighbors, businesses and travelers should see positive effects from these trees for years to come.”
In addition to improving the overall aesthetics of the surrounding neighborhoods, planting trees improves storm water management, increases property value, reduces urban heat island effect, improves air quality, and lowers energy costs.
“Brightside is glad to be celebrating its 5th Community-Wide Planting Day by returning to West Broadway and planting more trees,” Brightside Director Gina O’Brien said. “We would like to thank our sponsors and volunteers and welcome those on West Broadway to watch these tree grow and bring shade, storm water management and a beautiful streetscape.”
Brightside will also be joining with volunteers from UPS, Brown-Forman, Kentucky Derby Festival and Heaven Hill to plant 60 trees along 18th Street from West Kentucky Street to Greenwood Avenue and Greenwood Avenue from 18th to 20th Street.
Brightside’s recent plantings, as well as those of other Metro and non-profits partners, have been focused in west Louisville, where an increase in tree canopy is needed. This year’s planting will add to the 150 trees Brightside planted on West Broadway in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, over 330 trees were planted in along Virginia Avenue and adjacent streets in the Parkland and California neighborhoods. 80 trees were planted near Chickasaw Park in 2014.
On Saturday, November 10 at 10 a.m., Brightside will meet volunteers in Kroger parking lot at 2710 West Broadway. A limited supply of shovels and other tools will be provided by Brightside, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tools. All ages are invited to attend the event.
There is still time for volunteers to register. To register, volunteers can fill out a form at Brightside’s website here: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/brightside/community-wide-planting-day
Applications are now being taken for mobility-impaired hunters wishing to hunt from two specially constructed blinds at Doug Travis Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Hickman and Carlisle counties. Applications for these quota hunts must be postmarked by Nov. 15.
“One blind, Blind 19, is a boat-only blind, built for mobility-impaired hunters,” said Wes Little, migratory bird biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “The whole boat hides in this blind. The other blind, Blind 13, is an above ground blind that is wheelchair accessible. The mobility-impaired hunt party will be able to drive to this blind.”
The hunt dates for the mobility-impaired quota hunts during 2018-2019 are: Nov. 22–25; Dec. 3–6; Dec. 7-9; Dec. 10–13; Dec. 14–16; Dec. 17–20; Dec. 21–23; Dec. 24–27 and Dec. 28–30; Dec. 31, 2018 – Jan. 3, 2019; Jan. 4–6; Jan. 7–10; Jan. 9–12; Jan. 11–13; Jan 14–17; Jan. 18–20; Jan. 21–24; and Jan. 25–27.
To register to be drawn for this blind during one or more of the mobility impaired hunts, mail a 3 x 5 white index card in an envelope addressed to:
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Attn: Wes Little – Doug Travis WMA Mobility-Impaired Waterfowl Hunt Application
1 Sportsman’s Lane
Frankfort, KY 40601
The envelope must be postmarked between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15.
“Hunters must specify on the index card the dates for which they are applying and list them in order of preference,” Little said. “While they may apply for up to three hunting dates, they can only be drawn for one hunt. The index card must include the hunter’s name, complete mailing address and phone number as well.”
Successful applicants may invite up to three guests. After Nov. 15, those selected for hunts will be mailed a quota hunt permit for the dates they are drawn, a map showing the blind location and other instructions concerning the hunt. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified. Duplicate applications for the same hunt will result in disqualification.
“The hunting party will be responsible for bringing and placing decoys as well as retrieving birds,” Little said. “These blinds are open to standby hunters on a first-come, first-served basis if the blind is not occupied by the drawn party by one hour before sunrise, but priority for its use will go to mobility impaired hunters.”
If not completed already, waterfowl hunters must go online at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov and fill out the Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey before they are legal waterfowl hunters.
Louisville Metro Animal Services is encouraging pet owners to take advantage of an upcoming Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic on Saturday, November 10th from 9am-12pm at Wyandotte Park, 1010 Beecher Street.
In addition to one ($10) and three-year ($15) Rabies vaccinations, LMAS will offer microchipping services for cats and dogs for just $25. So far in 2018, more than one-thousand pets in Jefferson County have been reunited with their owners. But sadly, the majority of cats and dog that entered the LMAS Shelter was not microchipped and could not return home.
“Microchipping is a crucial component to remaining a No-Kill shelter and saving more animal lives,” said Teeya Barnes, spokeswoman for Louisville Metro Animal Services. “Microchipping helps us quickly reunite missing pets and their owners. That means more open kennels for the city’s truly homeless animals. When the shelter is out of space, lives are placed in jeopardy.”
A pet license for cats, dogs or ferrets is required by Law for Jefferson County pet owners, and can be purchased or renewed during the Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic. A one-year pet license for an altered cat or dog is $10; a three-year, altered pet license is $27. LMAS also offers discounted licensing rates for senior pets: $5 (1-year altered) or $10 (3-year altered).
“A pet license is assurance your pet’s Rabies vaccination is up-to-date, so if they become lost they won’t receive the vaccine unecesssarily if they were to enter the shelter,” said Barnes. “Another benefit is if your pet is lost and picked up by an animal control officer, we can bring them home instead of to the shelter. Your pet won’t be exposed to germs and illnesses commonly found in animal shelters.
The Low-Cost Rabies Clinic is open to all pet owners. Dog must be on-leash and cats must be in carriers during the clinic.
Join Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Louisville Parks and Recreation for cider and donuts to celebrate the completion of the Bonnycastle Hill restoration project in our beloved Cherokee Park! No need to RSVP—simply attend if your schedule allows. Contact Meghan Robinson with questions.
Thursday, November 8, 2018 | 9 to 10 am
Stegner Pavilion | Bonnycastle Hill in Cherokee Park
We are thrilled to share the new Stegner Pavilion, relocated basketball court, lit walking paths and reconfigured parking area with our vibrant community of park users.
Olmsted Parks Conservancy proudly thanks Louisville Parks and Recreation, the City of Louisville, Mayor Greg Fischer, Councilman Brandon Coan, the Stegner Family and other generous donors to our Campaign for Extraordinary Parks for their partnership and support of this successful restoration project.
The work of more than 600 retired and senior volunteers in the Louisville area will be honored at a special event on Wed., Nov. 7. The Louisville Metro Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) annual recognition event will take place at Churchill Downs’ Millionaire’s Row (6th Floor), 700 Central Ave. from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The theme is “Everyone’s a Millionaire with RSVP.”
As part of the city’s Office of Resilience and Community Services, RSVP connects persons age 55 and over with their choice of some 60 public service and non-profit locations, including American Red Cross, Senior Nutrition Centers, Dare to Care, Community Ministries and the Robley Rex VA Medical Center.
RSVP members will be joined by volunteer site representatives, Senior Corps Advisory Council members and RCS staff. Mayor Greg Fischer will serve as the keynote speaker followed by congratulatory remarks from Gena Redmon-Harris, director of Resilience and Community Services.
“Through their volunteerism these senior citizens are making a real and positive difference in their communities,” said Mayor Fischer. “I am proud to join with the Louisville Metro Retired and Senior Volunteer Program to recognize those who give their time to better the lives of others.”
The Rev. Ron Loughry, Executive Director of Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries, and winner of the 2015 ElderServe’s “Champion for Aging” is serving as the master of ceremonies for the third year in a row. He will also be recognized for his years of service to RSVP and the community as a whole as he will be retiring at the end of this year.
During this year’s celebration, 41 RSVP volunteers who reached their dedicated, volunteer service milestones of five to 30 years will receive special recognition. Also featured will be a VA Salute and Recognition to acknowledge all veterans who serve as RSVPs. One special honoree, Guy Dorsey, a World War II veteran, is being recognized for 25 years of volunteerism in the community and has some 30 family members from all over the United States coming to be with him for the event. In addition, following the buffet meal and speaker presentations, the volunteers will enjoy full access to Churchill Downs and a day at the races.
“RSVP volunteers generously give their energy, skills and caring dedication toward providing over 75,000 hours annually resulting in more than $1.5 million in savings/service impact for their agencies. This celebration is their public ‘thank you’. Everyone is a millionaire with RSVP.” said RSVP Program Coordinator, Christopher Clements.
RSVP is federally sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), and this year’s event sponsors include Passport Health Plan, ResCare, and AARP.
For more information on RSVP activities or to learn how to become a volunteer, call (502) 574-1530 or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/retired-and-senior-volunteer-program-rsvp.
