Affiliate Groups

Kenan Arts Council
KAC Holiday Gift Show, Nov 20-22
Quilt Show, Nov 6-8
Friends of the Kenan Herb Club

Save 10-20% when you join the Kenan Center and one or more affiliate organizations!
In an effort to better serve members of the Kenan Center, Friends of the Kenan Herb Club (KHC), Kenan Arts Council (KAC) and Kenan Quilters' Guild (KQG), all groups have worked together to package membership options in a way that would benefit all those members that chose to take part by offering discounts for joining the Kenan Center AND one or more affiliate organizations. The basics are as follows:

-Join the Kenan Center AND one or two affiliates (KAC, KHC, and/or KQG), save 10% off your total cost of membership.
-Join the Kenan Center AND all three affiliates (KAC, KHC and KQG), save 20% off your total cost of membership.

Please call 433-2617 for additional information.

Kenan Arts Council

The Kenan Arts Council (KAC) is the oldest of the Center's volunteer groups. It was formed in 1970 to provide volunteer service to the Kenan Center, assist in fundraising activities, and help promote art education and cultural activities in the community. The KAC meets in the Kenan Center House on the second Tuesday of each month, September and October, and January through May. Guest speakers and special programs are a part of each meeting.

The focus in November is the annual Holiday Gift Show held the weekend preceeding Thanksgiving. The three-day juried show features artisans from across Western New York and a cafe in the Greenhouse. With the proceeds from the Gift Show and the 100 American Craftsmen Lemonade and Brownie Stand, the Council grants three college scholarships to area high school students, and also funds special projects, equipment enhancements, and the Family Performance Series at the Kenan Center. See below for information on applying to the Holiday Gift Show.

Holiday Gift Show, November 20-22

It's a holiday tradition! The Holiday Gift Show features artisans, designers and gourmet food vendors, along with a Goodie Booth, Greenhouse Cafe, Quilt Raffle, Gift Basket Raffle and Herbal Gift Sale, all inside the Kenan House and carriage buildings. Admission is just $3. No strollers please. Hours: Friday, 5-9 pm; Saturday, 10 am-5 pm; Sunday, 11 am-5 pm.

Applying to the Holiday Gift Show

If you’re interested in applying to the show, you must return an application along with a jurying fee, and be able to attend a one-day in-person jurying. Because the Holiday Gift Show is held in the Kenan House and neighboring carriage houses, there is a limited space for approximately 50 artisans. Artisans who have been previously accepted do not have to be juried again, and are given first preference in terms of spaces.

HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW & 100 AMERICAN CRAFTSMEN
These two shows have very different criteria and artists who are accepted into the Gift Show may not be right for 100 American Craftsmen. In general, the 100 American Craftsmen show is appropriate for those artisans who have devoted themselves to training in and constant development in a craft art in the areas of wood, glass, clay, leather, fiber (wearable & non-wearable), paper, metal, and mixed media. Jewelry artists are categorized by the media they work in, either glass, metal, mixed media, or other.

The goal for both the Holiday Gift Show and 100 American Craftsmen is to showcase craft art by presenting the best and most appealing mix of artisans that will appeal to our audiences. Both shows have built loyal audiences that anticipate these shows each year, and we continue to develop our marketing to increase our audiences each year.

HOW TO APPLY TO THE HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW:
Call or email us at info@kenancenter.org and ask to be added to the application list. Be sure to include your name, business name if applicable, address, phone number, website address and email if applicable, and the media you work in. Applications generally go out in the early part of the year, with in-person jurying normally scheduled for March or April.

HOW TO APPLY FOR 100 AMERICAN CRAFTSMEN:
To request an application, call the Kenan Center or send a request to info@kenancenter.org. When requesting an application, include your name, business name if applicable, address, phone number, and website address if you have one, as well as the type of work you produce. For details on 100 American Craftsmen visit our artisans page.

Membership in the Kenan Arts Council is $10 per year and includes a newsletter published twice each year. For more information, contact the Kenan Center Business Office at (716) 433-2617.

Kenan Arts Council Scholarships

The Kenan Arts Council annually awards three college scholarships of $750 each to Niagara County high school students pursuing degrees in art, design, theater, or music. Applications are available in guidance offices at Niagara County high schools in late winter. Applicants must meet high academic standards with a minimum high school average of 80%, and be involved in extracurricular and community activities. Deadline for receiving applications is generally in March. For more information, call the Kenan Center office at 433-2617.

2009 Scholarship Winners

Recipients of the KAC's 2009 scholarships were announced at their annual luncheon in May. Scholarship winners (shown left to right) were Shaun Paduano, a student at Wilson High School who will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology for Theater and Science; Callan Robinson, Newfane High School, who will attend SUNY Fredonia as a major in Music Education; and Patrick Harrington, Royalton-Hartland High School, who will attend NCCC for Music.

Kenan Quilters' Guild

"Pieces and Petals: A Quilter's Garden" Quilt Show Takes Place November 6-8
The Kenan Quilters' Guild will present its biennial quilt show in November featuring more than 300 quilted items on display. Also featured will be vendors, demonstrations, quilt appraisal, food court, door prizes and a boutique. A small quilt auction will take place at 3 pm on Sunday, November 8. Daily hours are 10 am-5 pm. $5 admission. The event takes place at the Kenan Center Arena. For information, contact Janice Neace at 716-751-3926. Show above are a selection of images from the 2007 Quilt Show.

The goal of the Kenan Quilters' Guild is to preserve and promote the art of quilting. The group aims to enhance the art of quilting by sharing ideas, expertise, and fellowship among members. The Quilters' Guild supports the Kenan Center by making an Opportunity Quilt each year, presenting a bi-annual Quilt Show in the Kenan Arena, and presenting other quilt-related programs and events throughout the community. Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Taylor Theater Meeting Room. Membership is $15 per year which includes a Guild newsletter. For more information, contact the Kenan Center Business Office at (716) 433-2617.

Friends of the Kenan Herb Club

The Friends of the Kenan Herb Club was established in 1985. From its inception, the Club has offered a full range of programs and activities geared to those interested in herbal living. Workshops focus on a variety of herb-related subjects from culinary usage to herbal gift making. Members also enjoy tours to members' gardens, businesses and educational facilities featuring herbal products and interests.

Club members work together for the Annual Spring Herb Plant Sale held during 100 American Craftsmen held at the Kenan Arena. They are also involved with the planting and maintenance of the Center's herb garden.

Membership is $7.00 per year and includes a subscription to The Herbal Herald, the Club's newsletter. Meetings are held the second Monday of the month at the Kenan Center House. For more information, contact the Kenan Center Business Office at (716) 433-2617.

Herb Club Meetings & Programs

November 2: Annual Planning Meeting. 7 pm.
November 16: Wreath & Swag Workshop for Holiday Gift Show. 6:30 pm.
November 20-22: Holiday Gift Show.
December 7: Kenan Herb Club Christmas Party.

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