Press
2022 Press Releases
Tennessee Craft Launches Research Project that Explores Statewide History of Black Craft
NASHVILLE, TN (September 15, 2022)—Tennessee Craft announces the start this month of a new historical research project focused on the contributions of Black craft artists in Tennessee. The initial project will build a database of Black craft artists working in the state over the past century, placing their artwork in the broader context of living and making art in Tennessee since 1920.
Tennessee Craft has named Karlota Contreras-Koterbay as the primary researcher for this initiative. Karlota I. Contreras-Koterbay is an Appalachian-based Filipinx curator, artist and arts administrator. She is the Director of the Tipton and Slocumb Galleries at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), where she curates and organizes multidisciplinary exhibitions by regional, emerging and nationally-renowned women, BIPOC, LGBTQ and Appalachian artists.
The general public is invited to participate in the vital work to elevate the creative accomplishments and lives of Tennessee’s Black craft artists. The initiative covers artists working in traditional craft mediums throughout the state from 1920-2020. Recommendations of Black craft artists to include in the database can be submitted online at tennesseecraft.org/blackcraftartists. For questions or to share information, contact bmatthews[AT]tennesseecraft[DOT]org. Click here to read the full release.
Tennessee Craft Invites Artists to Apply for the 2023 Master Artist Apprentice Program
NASHVILLE, TN (September 7, 2022)—Tennessee Craft, in partnership with the Tennessee Arts Commission, announces the opening of the 2023 Master Artist Apprentice Program (MAAP) apprentice application process. This mentoring program offers artists a unique opportunity to learn traditional and contemporary craft skills firsthand from master craft artists.
All artists in the program choose challenging goals that will advance their skills and knowledge as craft artists. The MAAP was created to boost artists to the next level of their professional development during an intensive six-month one-on-one apprenticeship, not typically available in most learning environments.
To read the full bios of the 2023 Master Artists Louis Colombarini (clay, Dowelltown), Jim Masterson (metal, Memphis) and Louise Nuttle (fiber/textile, Jonesborough), visit tennesseecraft.org/programs/maap. Deadline for apprentice applications is November 1, 2022. APPLY HERE. Click here to read the full release.
44th Annual Fall Tennessee Craft Fair
NASHVILLE, TN (August 23, 2022)—Tennessee Craft presents the 44th Annual Fall Tennessee Craft Fair, October 7, 8 and 9, in Nashville’s iconic Centennial Park. Artists from across the nation will exhibit their handmade craft on the Great Lawn adjacent to the Parthenon, showcasing original artwork from clay, jewelry and leather to wood, glass, painting and more. The ever-popular Kids’ Tent, sponsored by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, will return with hands-on activities for families. In the Demonstration Tent, watch and learn “how it’s made” from the Tennessee Association of Woodturners and the Clay Lady’s Campus.
As always, this free event is accessible to the public – with free parking and free shuttle service on Saturday and Sunday. Gray Line of Tennessee generously provides this free service. Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more details, maps and event information, please visit tennesseecraft.org/fallfair. Click here to read the full release.
Instagram Contest Kicks Off Tennessee Craft Week Plans
NASHVILLE, TN (July 28, 2022)—Tennessee Craft announces a Tennessee Craft Week Instagram Photo Contest August 1-31, 2022. This contest is open to all craft artists in the state of Tennessee. Winning photos will credit the artist (and photographer, if noted). Photos will be shared via Tennessee Craft social media platforms and in print to generate excitement and public interest in the 8th Annual Tennessee Craft Week (TCW), held October 2-10, 2022.
Artists are invited to take a photo of their craft in a Tennessee-themed setting. Winning photos will be announced to the public on Thursday, September 8. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $200 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials. First, Second and Third place winners will be awarded gift certificates from Blick Art Materials and Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff. All winning photographs and Honorable Mention photos will be used to promote the 2022 Tennessee Craft Week, which celebrates fine craft. Click here to read the full release, including contest rules.
Craft Stars Event Celebrates Best of Tennessee Craft Artists
NASHVILLE, TN (July 14, 2022)—Tennessee Craft invites the public to celebrate award-winning craft artists at Craft Stars, a reception honoring the 2021-2022 Best of Tennessee Craft award winners on Saturday, August 6, at 6:30 p.m. Gruhn Guitars in Nashville will host the event and provide a behind-the-scenes tour of their guitar repair workshops.
The Best in Show prize went to Beizar Aradini of Nashville for her fiber artwork “My Existence is Political.” The Craft Stars event will feature foods inspired by the cuisine of Kurdistan, in recognition of Aradini’s Kurdish heritage. A dessert bar will offer selections that are favorites of the top prize winners, and wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. All awarded artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their artwork at the event and most will be on hand to discuss their creative processes. Aradini will provide a live demonstration of her embroidery techniques.
Tickets to the Craft Stars event are $40 per person and can be purchased at www.tennesseecraft.org/bestof. More information on the exhibition and related programs is available at this website. Craft Stars is sponsored by Gruhn Guitars, BuddhaBee Collection and Craig Nutt Studio. CLICK HERE to read the full release.
Tennessee Craft Requests Proposals for New History of Black Craft Art in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, TN (May 17, 2022) – Tennessee Craft seeks proposals from qualified contractors to initiate an ongoing exploration of history of Black craftspeople and Black craft-making in Tennessee since 1920. This project is the first step in a series of actions by Tennessee Craft and our partners to re-center the efforts of Black Tennesseans in the production of handmade craft throughout the state’s history. The introductory phase of our history research will contextualize the work of Black craft artists today and increase public awareness of craft produced in the past in Tennessee.
Research into the continuance and transfer of craft traditions among African Americans over the course of Tennessee’s history will be used to inform future public programming. The initial project will: 1) create a catalog of Black craft in Tennessee through the past century; 2) provide historical context for the work of modern Black craft artists; and 3) suggest topics for public presentation and further inquiry.
Qualified candidates should have prior professional writing and research experience and interest in this topic. The full RFP with scope of work, timeline and selection criteria is available at: tennesseecraft.org/communityengagement. The deadline for submission of proposals is Friday, July 15, 2022. CLICK HERE to read the full release.
51st Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair Awards Best of Show and Merit Awards Presented to Artists
NASHVILLE, TN (May 12, 2022) – Tennessee Craft announces the 51st Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair Awards, presented Saturday, May 7. Every spring, Tennessee Craft presents awards to select exhibitors in recognition of their fine work. These awards fulfill the mission of Tennessee Craft to create opportunities for independent craft artists to thrive through talent growth, professional development and unique exhibition events.
Guest Juror David J. Reyes, the Curator of Exhibitions and Collections at the Huntsville Museum of Art (AL), awarded top prizes and says, “It was an honor and a privilege to be the awards juror for the 2022 Spring Tennessee Craft Fair. This event has a well-deserved reputation for excellence in the region and this year’s fair was no exception. Selecting the award winners out of the outstanding examples of craft that I experienced was not easy. There were so many artists with work that reflected a reverence for the traditions of the past while also propelling craft forward—keeping it relevant in the modern era.” CLICK HERE to read the full release.
2021 Press Releases
43rd Annual Fall Tennessee Craft Fair: Come Celebrate Craft in the Park!
NASHVILLE, TN (September 23, 2021)—Tennessee Craft presents the 43rd Annual Fall Tennessee Craft Fair, October 8, 9 and 10, in Nashville’s iconic Centennial Park. Artists from across the nation will exhibit their handmade craft on the Great Lawn adjacent to the Parthenon, showcasing fine craft from clay, jewelry and leather to wood, glass, painting and more. CLICK HERE to read the full release.
50th Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair Awards Best of Show and Merit Awards Presented to Artists
NASHVILLE, TN (May 13, 2021)— Tennessee Craft announces the 50th Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair Awards, presented Saturday, May 8. Every spring, Tennessee Craft presents awards to select exhibitors in recognition of their fine work. These awards fulfill the mission of Tennessee Craft to create opportunities for independent craft artists to thrive through talent growth, professional development, and unique exhibition events.
Guest Juror Curtis Benzle of Huntsville, AL awarded top honors (below) and says, “After the ‘COVID art festival void,’ I had no idea what to expect from the Tennessee Craft Spring Fair. There could have easily have been twice the number of awards based on the quality of artwork on display. Congratulations and thanks to Tennessee Craft for overcoming the challenges and delighting us all, once again, with wonderful art and artists.” CLICK HERE to read the full release.
50th Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair: Premier Regional Fair Returns May 7-9, 2021
NASHVILLE, TN (April 29, 2021)— The Tennessee Craft Spring Fair returns to Centennial Park in Nashville May 7, 8, and 9, 2021. After canceling both of its 2020 fairs, Tennessee Craft welcomes back more than 150 artists to the largest craft fair of its caliber in the region. Nationally acclaimed artists from Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia will showcase their work.
Metro Parks’ recent renovation and reopening of the Great Lawn in front of the Parthenon offers a larger site for a socially distanced fair, with artists’ booths spaced out more than usual, masks encouraged in close company, and all activities outdoors, rain or shine. Metro Public Health Department will be on site Saturday and Sunday during the fair to offer information and single-dose vaccinations for COVID-19. CLICK HERE to read the full release.
Call for Entries: Best of Tennessee Craft 2021 Exhibition Showcasing the Finest Contemporary and Traditional Craft
NASHVILLE, TN (March 23, 2021)— Tennessee Craft seeks entries for the 2021 Best of Tennessee Craft Exhibition, a biennial event designed to highlight craft artists producing the most diverse, highest quality craft pieces available in Tennessee.
Presented by Tennessee Craft – the state’s largest, most visible, and most respected craft artist organization – and hosted by the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville, this exhibit elevates and celebrates contemporary and traditional craft found throughout Tennessee, while encouraging a high standard of excellence and design among Tennessee craft artists.
The exhibition will be on view at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville October 29, 2021 through Sunday, February 20, 2022. Visitors can expect to see such craft as traditional Appalachian-inspired furniture, textiles incorporating modern materials and time-honored techniques, and extraordinary turned pieces using found wood. The guest juror will select works for the exhibition from submitted entries and the award winners. Best of Show Award is a $1,500 cash award. Additionally, we will be exploring the diverse and rich history of craft in Tennessee through public programs at the Museum. CLICK HERE to read the full release.
Tennessee Craft Announces New Governing Board Members
NASHVILLE, TN (February 24, 2021)— Tennessee Craft is pleased to announce eight new additions to the Governing Board for 2021 who will serve a two-year term. Governing Board President Linda M. Nutt says, “Tennessee Craft welcomes new members of the 2021 Governing Board who reflect a love of handmade craft and broad appreciation and knowledge of art.” These new members come to their leadership from across the state and represent a wide range of backgrounds and professional experience. Executive Director Kim McCurdy Waag says, “Tennessee Craft staff and statewide chapter members are honored to have the opportunity to work under the volunteer leadership of our newest board members. They truly complement our stellar Governing Board, and we thank them for their commitment and sharing of their time and insights in advancing the arts.” CLICK HERE to read the full release.
Grant Awarded to Tennessee Craft by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
NASHVILLE, TN (January 27, 2020)—Tennessee Craft is pleased to announce the receipt of a $10,000 grant from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to provide hands-on arts activities to children and families at our free community Kids’ Tent during the 2021 spring and fall Tennessee Craft fairs. Kim Waag, Executive Director, says, “We are truly grateful to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for their interest and support in funding our reach to the next generation of artists, art educators and art enthusiasts, connecting them with our vibrant arts community and partners, providing creative awareness and instilling the love of craft. The Kids’ Tent is a whole family experience that is vital to the soul, especially during these times.” CLICK HERE to read the full release.
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