Meet Committee Chair: Lolly Durant
With the new year came new leadership in the committees of Tennessee Craft. For the next few weeks we’ll be spotlighting these volunteer leaders as a small thank you for all they do for us.
Our third installment of this series features Lolly Durant, our new chair of the Membership Committee.
Why is it important for you to be involved with Tennessee Craft?
Tennessee Craft is important because it provides opportunities for professional growth through leadership training, workshops, craft fairs, and general sharing of pertinent information that relates to artists and friendships that last a life time!
What made you decide to take a leadership position this year?
The decision to take on a leadership position these past several years branches from my love for the arts. The arts: a vital component part of a healthy community’s struggles to survive. If I can help drive efforts to assist art movement and growth locally, through chapter leadership and membership growth, then my time has been well spent.
What are you most excited about accomplishing?
I am most excited that the ‘Handmade Here’ Exhibition at the Emporium in Knoxville, TN happened. Awards were given and East Tennessee Craft Artists put out an effort and generated a wonderful presentation that will continue to grow through the years. The seed has been planted. The goal is to generate more sponsorship gifts and to up the ante.
What is your craft / how did you start?
My craft varies from mono-type prints, marbling on sailcloth to mixed media, gourd assemblages, to wheel-thrown pottery. My work primarily relates to printmaking. When I was in Graduate school at N.Y.U. in New York, my focus was in printmaking, painting and art education. I am an arts educator/ artist and continue to work as a Teaching Artist with the Tennessee Arts Commission and to produce art.
What do you find beneficial / rewarding about showing at the Fairs?
What I find beneficial and rewarding about showing at the Fairs is the dialogue and feedback that I receive from fellow artists and viewers. Building community support for the arts is a group effort. I enjoy the opportunity to be represented in the Chapter Booth Tent and being a part of a larger group. “One for All” and “All for One” helps build a new branding for Tennessee Craft throughout the state of Tennessee.
What is your favorite part of being a craft artist?
My favorite part of being a craft artist is my ability to share my craft of teaching pottery. However, I am beginning to make a shift from teaching less and producing more. This past year, 2013-Spring 2014, I have exhibited work almost every month in different venues: art galleries in local art centers in Tennessee and North Georgia, Exum Gallery at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, local craft fairs, and Tennessee Craft Fall and Spring Fairs in the Chapter Booth Tent.
Craft is a Community
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Thanks for all of our sponsors and partners that have helped keep Tennessee Craft operating since 1965! We appreciate you!
