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Indiana Artisan Marketplace

The Fifth Annual Indiana Artisan Marketplace, a showcase for Indiana’s best art, food and crafts kicks off Indiana’s 2015 Art Season.  From mosaics and marshmallows to watercolors and wines, the Indiana Artisan Marketplace features handmade work by more than 150 artisans, including those recognized by the State as the best in Indiana.

Two of those Artisans gave us a sampling of some of the wares that can be found at this year’s event.

Aaron Dickinson, Dickinson Woodworking, is a master at creating fine wooden kitchen products that will last generations.

I make wooden kitchenware using Indiana’s hardwoods, these are all the natural colors of the woods and there’s no stains or dyes…Indiana cutting boards are incredibly popular…my spatulas are very unique…people are drawn to them.”

For more information about Dickinson Woodworking, visit the website at dickinsonwoodworking.com

Deb Miller is the co-owner of Blackhawk Winery in Sheridan.  This new winery uses Indiana grapes to create their award winning wines.

We’re making wines that come from grapes that are grown in the midwest. The Traminette is actually Indiana’s state grape.  We are the only winery in the United States that is growing the Sheridan grape and making wine from it.”

For more information about Blackhawk Winery, visit the website at blackhawkwinery.com

You will find both Aaron and Deb at the fifth annual Indiana Artisan Marketplace this Sat. and Sun., March 28 and 29 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Expo Hall. They are just two of the featured artisans from Indiana and Kentucky showcasing art and food selected as the best coming from the two states by Indiana Artisan and Kentucky Crafted food and art jury panels.

Indiana Artisans are named twice annually, and 32 Artisans in this year’s Marketplace are participating for the first time, adding a new and fresh dimension to the variety of art and foods presented. Twenty-one of those had their work recognized by the State and become part of the Indiana Artisan brand just last November.

Steampunk jeweler Matt Breunig, of Ossian; Photographer Thomas Duffy, of Bloomington; Glass Mosaic artist Nancy Keating, of Carmel; Rifle maker Jim Prather, of Lapel; Basket maker Roland Rein, of Friendship; and Furniture maker George Abiad, of Anderson; are among first-time participants in this annual showcase.

More than 130 Artisans, from 49 Indiana counties, will be joined by nearly 30 art and food artisans from the Kentucky Crafted and Kentucky Proud programs, both models for Indiana Artisan when it was launched by Lt. Gov. Skillman in 2008.

Twenty Artisans will demonstrate the creation of their work – potters throwing, painters painting, weavers weaving, and some exciting looks at candy making will occur all weekend. As always, food artisans will provide samples of syrups, jams, pies, pierogis, cheeses, granola, barbecue and salsa, cookies, noodles, candies and chocolates, and more – including wines from 15 Indiana wineries. Indiana Wines is a sponsor of the Marketplace.

The Indiana Artisan Marketplace is a chance to buy one-of-a-kind artwork and artisan food directly from the Hoosiers who make it, to meet the artisans and to share their stories. Visitors will meet and talk with artisans and watch them demonstrate.

In 2010, a Resolution of the Indiana Legislature tasked Indiana Artisan with identifying, recognizing and promoting the state’s highest-quality art and foods. Its mission includes developing a brand that gives meaning and recognition to the highest-quality Indiana-made goods, now defined by the art and food of 296 Artisans in 63 Indiana counties.

Admission to the Indiana Artisan Marketplace is only $10 – no charge for those ages 14 and younger

For more information visit their website at www.IndianaArtisan.org and follow them on Facebook: Indiana Artisan and Twitter: @IndianaArtisan