Berea named to USA Today's '10 best' list in small town art scene

Spencer Mahon, Richmond Register, Ky.
Updated ·2 min read

Mar. 3—The "Folk Arts & Crafts Capital of Kentucky", known as Berea, has made the cut as one of the best towns in America.

The city was named on Friday to one of the most coveted lists, USA Today's "10 Best" list.

Berea was running against 19 other small towns for the 10 desired positions.

Berea beat out cities like Park City, UT; Taos, NM; and Key West, FL — and was one spot behind Saugatuck, MI.

Lucas, Kansas was the city to top the list, receiving the most votes.

Kiana Mahjub told the Register that many long term Bereans have contributed to the town's art space through the years.

One person she mentioned was Mary Colmer.

Mary is a story all her own, not only is she a famous video game streamer on the popular streaming site 'Twitch', but she's also owns Weaver's Bottom with her husband Neil for many years. Mary, along with making corn husk dolls, paintings along with weaving, has amassed a following of 70,000 people in 45 countries.

Colmer is one of many of the artists have their set up down in Old Town Artisan Village in the Old Town part of Berea.

"One thing that really makes us work is that people come from such different backgrounds and they bring that insight with us to that small town, and I think that helps make us different," Mahjub said in February.

The full list is as follows:

Lucas, KS

Tubac, AZ

Abingdon, VA

Homer, AK

Saugatuck, MI

Berea, KY

Carmel-by-the-sea, CA

Manitou Springs, CO

Eureka Springs, AR

Cody, WY

To check out all the stores Old Town Artisan Village has, you can visit https://visitberea.com/shopping/artisan-village/ for a full list.

Congratulations to Berea Tourism and the city of Berea!