Denise and Charles Berryhill will bring their music to the Fair.

Eight years ago, Hickman County Arts Council held its first event book fair where 12 local and regional authors sold signed first editions of their works. This love of cultural and art has now grown into a major regional event each first Saturday in December. The 2012 Arts Fair will showcase the works of 50 artists and authors. 
 
The 2012 Arts, Craft, Book Fair will be a celebration of individuals who make things with their hands or with their thoughts. This is part of the frontier legacy of living in Hickman County and in the Jackson Purchase.  Several of the artists who plan to be in the show are profiled below:

Denise Berryhill, with husband Charles, lives deep into the woods and wilds of north Hickman County where nature still rules and man must live in balance with it. They do this on purpose. Being at one with their surroundings, the Berryhills maintain an intimate understanding of how herbs, organic foods, stones, and fabrics can be shape into a purpose and peaceful foundation for living. They will be selling their first musical collaboration "Just Saying" at the Fair.
  
Denise has the special gift of taking metal and crafting it into fine jewelry. She also makes and packages herbs from her own large garden. Denise is the kind of artist that you want to give a gift to your daughter for Christmas saying “It is hand made by an artist in Hickman county and the color is just right for you” Many people will forgo a weekend shopping at Paducah’s Kohl's Department Store in order to purchase that special gift for Christmas morning at a great price savings from Denise.

Danny Whitlock is another great example of individuals who take natural resources and mold them into objects of art and utility. Danny Whitlock makes pottery. He digs clay from a creek bed that contains the special texture and color of raw clay. Through a series of steps that raw clay is transformed into beautiful cups, jars, serving trays, and countless other objects that move art into the world of practical living.

The most popular clay design for Danny has been the red striped clay mixed with white commercial clay to create a special Hickman County look pottery. His work is now becoming popular throughout West Kentucky. Several of his designs are now collectable items sought after by serious art lovers of local pottery.

Curran Copeland is a talented artist who works in wood. He will have for sale wooden toys, games, and wood turnings. This will be new to the fair. Wooden toys have been asked for several years. Many people value them for their grand children to have that is both one of a kind but high quality American made art as well as educational.

The Arts Fair will also feature 36 other craft artist who make things with their hands. These include the following as just a short list of talent to expect to see at the Fair.

United Methodists’ Women Club: The ladies from Clinton will be baking up some yummy offerings for the fair. Sourdough bread (by Sue Williams), yeast bread (by Carolyn Bugg) and rolls will be featured.

Deena Pittman is a full time wife and mother with a full time job at First Community Bank. In spike of these obligations and her involvement in church, she still finds time to create embroidered items and personalized gifts. She is one of the favorites at the fair from year to year.

Lily Kimbell will present her special hand painted ornaments. Joan Lacewell from Clinton will offer her Peanut Brittel, Betty Beasley will return with her handmade aprons. Tim Langford, will be selling complete line of Kentucky Nut products, Linda & Willis Ward, will bring back their unique Scrollsaw art work and quality wood art.

Beverly Hopkins will be selling Hickman County Placement Mats; Joy Smith & Tori Hawk, will offer for sell knitted scarves/hats, handspun fiber from sheep and llama yarn, and beaded jewelry. Andy Crews, will have Shaker boxes, cutting boards, and wooden spoons.

Katie Beck will teach a special workshop for crafting Christmas decorations out of natural materials. Ashley Workman will lead the Santa Helpers Workshop for little ones who want to make mommy and daddy Christmas Cards, and special gifts with lots of love attached.    

Many more local and regional artists and food vendors will be at the Fair.

The fair is on December 1, 2012 from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Hickman County Elementary School. Early shoppers will have morning comfort from special sales of coffee and pastries. Lunch will be served as will as live music from local musicians.