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FRAN REDMON, DIRECTOR OF KENTUCKY CRAFT
MARKETING PROGRAM,
RECEIVES CRAFT ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION AWARD FOR
LEADERSHIP, CREATIVE THINKING AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE
 The
Craft Organization Development Association Award for Leadership,
Creative Thinking and Outstanding
Service was presented to Fran Redmon, Director of Kentucky Craft
Marketing Program (KCMP), for her long-term dedication to the
development of and service to the crafts field. The presentation was
made during the annual CODA conference in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
in June 2007.
CODA’s managing director, Linda Van Trump said, “I am
delighted that we can give Fran this special recognition as a small
token of our appreciation for helping CODA grow into the strong,
vibrant, national organization that it is today. Her leadership
skills, accompanied by straight-forwardness, humor, honesty, caring
and an ability to bring people together make her a very special
person. CODA is among the many organizations and individuals who
have benefited from her vast expertise and the support of the
Kentucky Craft Marketing, which has been instrumental in the
development of craft over the past three decades.”
Fran Redmon directs the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, the
purpose of which is to develop the state’s craft industry, support
and empower Kentucky artisans and craftspeople, create an
economically viable environment for craft entrepreneurs, preserve
the state’s craft traditions, stimulate and support product
development and generate public awareness, public support and
public/private partnerships. The program provides assistance to
Kentucky residents, individuals or groups wanting to develop as
craft professionals through economic opportunities and training; to
other outside entities (e.g., craft retailers, craft and art
organizations, community and government agencies); and the general
public. The craft industry in Kentucky contributes 252 million
dollars in annual sales and is recognized as a model for its craft
programs and its role in the 14 billion dollar craft industry.
In 28 years with Kentucky state government, Fran Redmon has worked
under seven Governors, including Governor John Y. Brown. First Lady
Phyllis George Brown initiated the KCMP following a series of
national and international department store promotions that focused
on the state’s crafts. Over the years, Fran Redmon successfully
spearheaded numerous initiatives that have gained international
recognition for the program and established it as a model. Among
these are the award winning annual wholesale/retail show, Kentucky
Crafted: The Market, the Product Development initiative and the
Kentucky Collection™. The KCMP has maintained a continual presence
at the New York International Gift Fair since 1985. Redmond and her
colleagues have consulted with numerous national and international
representatives in implementing programs at Tamarack, West Virginia;
Handmade in America, North Carolina; Armenia; Argentina and Canada;
and most recently, the states of Montana, Louisiana, Alaska, Georgia
and New Mexico.
“Fran Redmon has done an outstanding job developing and leading the
Kentucky Craft Marketing Program. Kentucky’s craft artists have had
the benefit of business and marketing training, as well as
opportunities to market their work and promote their businesses.
Fran’s leadership has ensured that the program, and Kentucky
Crafted: The Market, are seen as models for craft programs across
the nation,” said Lori Meadows, Executive Director of the Kentucky
Arts Council.
CODA will present this special recognition award again next year at
the 2008 CODA Conference “Creating Craft Consumers, Collectors and
Leaders” to be held April 10-13, 2008 in Little Rock, Arkansas. The
award will honor an individual whose leadership, creative thinking
and outstanding service have had a significant impact on the crafts
field. Each year CODA holds an annual conference in a different
location to give participants an opportunity to network with peers,
learning about national trends and issues and to experience local
craft/art projects and venues as well as hearing from national
speakers. One of the highlights of this year’s conference was
presentations by seven Canadian Provincial Craft Councils. Photos
and notes of this year’s conference will be available on the CODA
website along with more information on future CODA conferences,
membership, job announcements, economic impact summary and other
resources click on links below or the tabs at the top of this page
or contact: www.codacraft.org, or contact CODA, P.O. Box 51, Onia,
AR 72663, 870-746-5159, info@codacraft.org.
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