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Berea, Kentucky: Unsettling Hand Sculptures

A dozen fiberglass hands, some with bizarre decorations, stand at various points around town -- survivors of a 2003 "Show of Hands" public art project. Directions to all twelve at the Welcome Center.

Address:
3 Artist Circle, Berea, KY
Directions:
I-75 exit 76. Drive east on Hwy 21/Chestnut St. Follow signs for Old Town. Turn north onto Broadway St. The Welcome Center is in the train depot on the left side, near Broadway and Adams. The map point is for a bizarre blue hand inset with what appears to be a mosaic eyeball, at the intersection of US Hwy 25/Estill St. and Center St.
Hours:
Welcome Center open M-Sa 10-5. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
859-986-2540
Admission:
Free
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Visitor Tips and News About Unsettling Hand Sculptures

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Big hand.

Unsettling Hand Sculptures

Hands across....the street.

[Stephen Francia, 03/25/2020]

Hands.

Unsettling Hand Sculptures

Great place to stop. There are nearly a dozen hands. Fun to find them all. Galleries and welcome center for restroom and info.

[Iliana, 04/04/2017]

Hands.

Unsettling Hand Sculptures

These hands are everywhere!

[Cindy Boyles, 01/15/2017]

Hand holding a heart.

Big Hands

Berea bills itself as the "Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky." To symbolize this, a public arts project titled "Show of Hands" was created in 2003. Twelve large hands, approximately 6 feet tall, were placed throughout the city. Three are located near the Boone Tavern Hotel, six are in the Old Town area, and one each are located at the hospital, the Artisan Welcome Center, and a bank. The one located at the hospital is horizontal instead of vertical, and it is holding a heart.

If you go to the old train depot on Broadway Street in Old Town the employees at the welcome center will give you a list of all the locations. There are also many iron and metal sculptures located near some of the hands, so do some additional exploring if you go.

[signmanjoe, 01/10/2016]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Big Black BullBig Black Bull, Berea, KY - < 1 mi.
Marker: Uncle Tom's Cabin SiteMarker: Uncle Tom's Cabin Site, Paint Lick, KY - 9 mi.
Banjo Toting Old Joe ClarkBanjo Toting Old Joe Clark, Mt. Vernon, KY - 13 mi.
In the region:
Natural Bridge: Skylift, Slade, KY - 36 mi.

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