Artist Bio: Hannah Allen is an artist and quilter from Lexington, Kentucky. For this project, she was able to complete a lifetime goal of visiting all of Kentucky's 120 counties. This project was inspired by her family which has been in Kentucky since the 1790's, and her maternal great grandparents- Henry, an Agricultural Extension Agent in Breathitt County, and Virginia, a homemaker and 4-H leader.
Statement: The culture of craft in Kentucky has been cultivated by generations of women sharing their practices with others. In 1914, the Smith-Lever Act created Agricultural Extension Agencies throughout the country, many of them hiring women "Home Demonstration Agents" to teach home economics. The agents would travel the county they were assigned to work in, by foot, ferry, or even mule. This education was vital at a time when transportation was difficult at best, education inaccessible to many, and materials scarcer than ever. "In The Field", explores that history of textile art and reimagines the teachings of Home Demonstration Agents from a modern perspective. The Commonwealth of Kentucky is both the source of inspiration and source of materials. The fabric for each piece has been dyed using plants harvested from all of Kentucky's 120 counties.
Statement: The culture of craft in Kentucky has been cultivated by generations of women sharing their practices with others. In 1914, the Smith-Lever Act created Agricultural Extension Agencies throughout the country, many of them hiring women "Home Demonstration Agents" to teach home economics. The agents would travel the county they were assigned to work in, by foot, ferry, or even mule. This education was vital at a time when transportation was difficult at best, education inaccessible to many, and materials scarcer than ever. "In The Field", explores that history of textile art and reimagines the teachings of Home Demonstration Agents from a modern perspective. The Commonwealth of Kentucky is both the source of inspiration and source of materials. The fabric for each piece has been dyed using plants harvested from all of Kentucky's 120 counties.
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All Lexington Art League programs are made possible through the generous support of LexArts. LexArts allocation of $50,000 represents the largest single donation to the operations of the Lexington Art League.
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The Kentucky Arts Council, a state arts agency, provides operating support to the Lexington Art League with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support provided by Lexington Parks & Recreation.
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