WILLIAM HAYES and KENTUCKY GUILD OF ARTISTS & CRAFTSMEN Correspondence

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY
William Hayes
Kentucky Guild of Artists & Craftsmen
Correspondence

Kentucky Guild of Artists & Craftsmen. Membership certificate for William Hayes, Charter Member. [hayes_corresp_guild_-009-1.jpg]

TAGS: William Hayes and Kentucky Guild of Artists & Craftsmen, Kentucky Department of Economic Development, woodcrafters, Lester Pross, Southern Highland Handicraft Guild

WILLIAM HAYES and KENTUCKY GUILD OF ARTISTS & CRAFTSMEN Correspondence

The following correspondence describes the founding of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen and William Hayes’ participation. Hayes was a founding or Charter Member of the Kentucky Guild of Artists & Craftsmen.

The Kentucky Guild of Artists & Craftsmen was established In December of 1960 on the orders of Governor Bert Combs through the Department of Economic Development and under the direction of Commissioner E.B. Kennedy. The new program under Mr. Kennedy was charged to develop the crafts of the State of Kentucky. To that task Mr. Kennedy called together those with knowledge and interest in Kentucky crafts to the Senate Chambers of the Capitol in Frankfort on December 14, 1960, to discuss the possibilities. At that time the proposed Articles of Incorporation, prepared by the Kentucky Department of Economic Development were presented for consideration.

William (Bill) Hayes, a former Pine Mountain Settlement School staff member, was invited to that founding event and worked closely with Harold B. Newland, Director of the Wood Utilization Division of the State, to locate crafts persons working in wood in the Eastern part of the State. Bill recommended Mr. Jasper Baker, a native of the Pine Mountain valley who had been making baskets for Pine Mountain Settlement School for some time. Unfortunately, Mr. Jasper had moved from Beech Fork in Leslie County to Eastern Tennessee. However, he was still recommended and plumbed for information on other Kentucky white-hickory woven baskets.

Mr. Lester Pross at Berea College was elected as the charter President of the Kentucky Guild of Artists & Craftsmen and Mr. Paul Hadley, its charter Secretary. On February 1, 1961, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Secretary of State Henry Carter, granted a charter recognizing the Articles of Incorporation of the organization at which time Lester Pross said, “This is the beginning of what we all hope is a long and illustrious history.” [KGAC Newsletter, Vol 1 No. 2.]

The first market of the Kentucky Guild was held at Berea College in the Industrial Arts Building on March 18, 1961. Later that spring Berea invited the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild to Berea for a joint meeting which solidified the association of the two organizations. Within the State of Kentucky the Guild reached out to other crafts and arts organizations, such as the Kentucky Artisans. Reaching out nationally, the fledgling organization connected with the national American Craftsman Council in New York.

The formation of a Board of Trustees for the Guild included both artists and craftsmen, as well as administrators and educators. By February 15, 1964, the Guild became independent of the Kentucky Division of Arts and Crafts but continued its work to develop craft to support the State’s economic goals. Under the continuing direction of Lester Pross, and the new Executive Secretary, craftsman Rude Osalnik, the Guild focused on the improvement of the design of the products and the training of craftsmen and continued its production and marketing work. By 1964 the membership in the Kentucky Guild of Artists & Craftsmen had grown to 700 of which about half were actively engaged in making crafts. — HW

[Note: The letter from William Hayes is a typewritten carbon copy and meant for his personal files. Letters from others are typewritten originals. The following list of contents is in chronological order and not in the order of the image numbers.]

No Date

001 N.D. To William Hayes from Bert Thomas Combs, Governor, Frankfort, KY. “Your known interest and reputation in the field of arts and crafts prompts us to request your assistance in a new program our Commonwealth has undertaken. ….[T]he Department of Economic Development, under the direction of Commissioner E.B. Kennedy, has recently begun a program to develop the crafts of our state.” He asks Hayes to assist with a conference in Frankfort of arts and crafts leaders; encloses a copy of the proposed articles of incorporation.

009 N.D. “Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen Membership Certificate” for William Hayes, Charter Craftsman.

010-011 N.D. A two-page list titled “A brief explanation on each of the candidates for membership on our Board of Trustees,” providing names of artists, craftsmen, and administrative personnel and their positions, interests, and accomplishments.

1960

004 September 14, 1960. To Hayes from Harrod B. Newland, Director, Wood Utilization Division, Department of Economic Development, Frankfort, KY, asking his help in finding “a source of supply for Kentucky-made hickory and white oak baskets to sell at the park souvenir stands.” He also asks Hayes if he would “serve as middleman between the various producers and the Department of Parks.”

008 October 10, 1960. To Newland from Hayes, assuring Newland that he is making contacts in Harlan County area, including Mr. Jasper Baker, formerly from Leslie County and now living in east Tennessee, who makes baskets from Pine Mountain Settlement School.

003 December 6, 1960. To William Hayes, Ranger, Putney, KY, from Newland, who reports that Hayes’ letter on hickory and white oak baskets has been handed to Paul Hadley, Assistant to the Commissioner – Special Projects.

002 December 28, 1960. To Hayes from Hadley, expressing appreciation for Hayes’ participation at the December 14 meeting, sent on behalf of the Kentucky Governor, Lt. Governor, and Commissioner.

1961

03 February 8, 1961. “Kentucky Guild of Artists & Craftsmen Newsletter,” Vol. I No. II. Titles of articles, page 1: We Are Officially Incorporated!! ; Membership Certificates Ready ; Newsletter Name ; Craft Mark Contest ; Our First Market.

….Page 2 [missing]

04 Page 3: Congratulations!! ; Want-Ads ; Application to participate in 1st Annual Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen Market.

1964

012 February 15, 1964. “To all Guild members, past and present” from Rude Osolnik, Executive Secretary, and Lester Pross, Assistant Executive Secretary. An informational mailing with the header, “The Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, Berea, Kentucky.” Subjects include membership renewals, plans for a directory of members, and plans for an exhibition and sales program. “…[T]he Guild’s program now is independent of, but still in cooperation with, that of the Division of Arts and Crafts, [which] will be concerned with production and marketing…Over 700 have joined the Guild since its organization.”