Lexington, KY - Do you have a place to go to feel at home when you're away from your house? If not, the Sanctuary Arts Center - a converted church on Main Street in Taylorsville, Ky., that boasts a crafts gallery, music jam sessions and performance venues - might be a good candidate. I recently enjoyed visiting the Sanctuary and seeing a plethora of pretty crafts and fine art.
When I walked inside I was immediately drawn to a painted dragon crafted from a gourd. I met the artist, Lois Platt, inside. Lois, who helps staff the center along with other volunteers, took a break from painting a wood chair to show me around.
Lois mentioned their upstairs performance space where folks gather to play acoustic music on the second Saturday of each month (bluegrass), as well as the fourth Friday (folk music). The area was closed off when I was there, so they could clear some bats out of the belfry.
The Sanctuary is a brick structure built as a Presbyterian church in 1856. Inside, it is comfortable, bright and inviting, with plenty of sofas and chairs. I saw two guitars just sitting there with picks and no price tags so I figured I'd play a song while Lois was busy. An older man wandered in and sat while I played a little bluegrass ditty.
I was surrounded by such a wide variety of art, including paintings, T-shirts, pottery, jewelry, ornaments, Native American flutes, stick furniture, wood burned pieces, glassware, stain glass, books, quilted boxes, dolls, sculpture and metal art, jelly, cards and much more. The owners, John and Judy Schircliffe, have a "Yart" Sale upstairs of "previously owned art." Lois revealed that Judy "wears her cat named Remington around her neck, and it rides along with them on the motorcycle."
The Sanctuary sure seemed to me a fun, eclectic place - a home for the work of artists and other creative souls. They offer classes and host special events in their 2,600 square foot second floor space. Classes offered include dance, music, crafts and more. One artist sells lots of items from Ireland, having moved her items from "All Things Celtic" in Bardstown to the Sanctuary. Cassie Burgess creates unique Celtic dresses for dancing.
The Sanctuary opened last September (2008) and has attracted a lot of talent already. Lois pointed out the oil portraits of one artist, a man who didn't take up painting until he was 65-years-old. One display case of not-for-sale items features an amazing carved wooden set of a horse and wagon team. I enjoyed checking out the Native American crafts by Kathy Elfgin, who had a deerskin and bead dress and other realistic artifacts.
Also along Main Street sits The Tea Cup bakery and Cafe at 37 E. Main. They are open from Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. - 3 p.m., and on Saturdays from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Owners David and Lorie Young fix fresh tea or coffee, homemade desserts, pies and cakes along with their entrees of salads, soups and sandwiches.
Of course, Taylorsville Lake is nearby for water-based fun, and you might enjoy exploring other shops on Main Street, including a few antique stores, a farmers' market (Saturday mornings through early November), the Touch of Amish store, Salt River Canoe rentals and much more. Taylorsville's 16th Annual Gourd Festival won't roll around again until next May. The Red Scooter Antique Store at 32 E. Main St. has wonderful handmade crafts too, including handmade soap, Woodwick candles, Spencer County afghans and other items.
By the way, Spencer County was named after Spear Spencer who fought as a captain in the "Cornstalk Militia" and was killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe. Taylorsville was established in 1799 by Richard Taylor, who set up the town between the Salt River and Brashears Creek. It has been the county seat of Spencer County since 1824.
Be safe and have fun on your Kentucky Day Trips. Enjoy music and art and all those things that make life meaningful.
Editor's Note: Thomas Freese's new book, "Ghosts, Spirits & Angels: True Tales from Kentucky and Beyond," is now available from Acclaim Press. The book presents true tales and eye-witness accounts from over 75 individuals with stories set in Kentucky and elsewhere. To order your own copy of "Ghosts, Spirits & Angels," search for the book's title at www.acclaimpress.com.
To Get There
To get to the Sanctuary Arts Center from Lexington, take the Bluegrass Parkway west. Before you get to Bardstown take Exit 34 toward Bloomfield. Turn left off the ramp to proceed north on Hwy. 55 through and beyond Bloomfield. After 12 miles, when you roll down the hill into Taylorsville, you'll see the Sanctuary just to the left at the stoplight. The address is 95 E. Main St., Taylorsville, Ky.
The trip each way takes about one hour and 20 minutes.
The Sanctuary is currently open Wed. - Fri. from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
For more information, call (502) 354-0404, or visit their Web site at www.SanctuaryArtsCenter.com.