http://www.moreheadtourism.com/For many of us in the Tri-State a day trip west on I-64 to Morehead KY is a short jaunt and possibly a one tank trip. Here are some on my thoughts on a “Cultural Arts” to the Bluegrass mountain region of Kentucky.

Start your day off with a visit to the Kentucky Folk Art Center (KFAC) located in the historic Union Grocery building. This venue offers a unique window on the arts and crafts of Appalachia and features a permanent collection of over 1300 pieces. KFAC mission is to preserve and promote a broader understanding of traditional and contemporary folk art of the culture and the peoples of the mountains. KFAC continues to expand the scope of our preservation and educational efforts into areas beyond visual folk art. Our expanded areas of interest include traditional music, storytelling, literature, dance, and crafts.

Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for senior citizens with special rates available for group tours.

Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. KFAC is closed on Sunday January through March.

While on the campus of Morehead State University be sure to visit the exhibits at The Claypool-Young Art Gallery. This setting the university community along with the community cultural opportunities to view a wide range of visual art. The art gallery located in the Claypool-Young Art Building is the largest exhibiting space in Kentucky east of Lexington and features rotating collections of contemporary art of American and international artists. The gallery is open 800am through 400pm Monday thru Friday.

Special receptions and events are held throughout the year at both the Kentucky Folk Arts Center and the Claypool-Young Art gallery so be sure to check with each locale.

For more information about Morehead tourism contact the local visitors office at 1-800-654-1944 or (606) 780-4342.