Your Impact on Artists
Rick Cannon, a woodturner from Memphis and a member of Tennessee Craft—Southwest, decided to focus on his woodworking and advance his passion for his craft. He saw the need to bridge the gap in his experience between where he was and where he thought he could go, so he applied for a scholarship to a weeklong woodturning workshop with nationally renowned woodworker Jacques Versery at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts during the summer of 2019. Throughout the week, the class focused on the importance of form and proportion in their work and on planning for the material they have, rather than making the material fit the piece. Rick was chosen as a master artist in the 2020 Master Artist/Apprentice Program (MAAP) and worked with his apprentice Bill Bleau to pass on some of the skills he learned from Jacques.
CLICK HERE to learn more about our member scholarships.
Carrie Anne Parks (near right) is a clay artist from Chattanooga and was designated master artist for the 2020 MAAP with Pamela Bullard (far right), a clay artist from Signal Mountain, as her apprentice. Carrie Anne says, “As a starting place, I encouraged Pam to see how imagery from her drawings and paintings might inform her work with clay, and our shared interest in surface-to-form relationships led us to pursue all sorts of materials tests and firing techniques. Her maturity and intuitive way of working allowed Pam to let one thing lead to another, until she pulled together her various avenues of exploration to produce a very focused body of work.” Pam notes that Carrie Anne worked with her so that “I might become my own artist, developing a personal style, while encouraging a willingness to play and explore the process. It is especially beneficial at my artistic level to step back from work and consider it from different angles and configurations. Not being married to an idea, and being willing to consider multiple outcomes is beneficial and reminds me artists should continue to grow personally and professionally throughout their careers, and not just in the beginning.”
Visit the Tennessee Arts Commission’s virtual gallery to see the culmination of the 2020 MAAP.
Christine Roth, a clay artist from Clarksville, has steadily been making her mark on the Middle Tennessee craft scene with her participation in the Emerging Makers Tent at the past two craft fairs, attending the last two professional development workshops on marketing yourself and your work, and volunteering to serve on the workshop planning committee. She is currently exhibiting in our inaugural Virtual Fair and continues to be open to exhibition opportunities through the Midstate Chapter, including a pop up at the Tennessee Craft office last December. Christine is taking advantage of the myriad benefits that Tennessee Craft membership offers to further her career as a potter.
Nick DeFord, a fiber/textile artist from Knoxville, Tennessee Craft Governing Board Member, and Program Director at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, was juried into the Best of Tennessee Craft Biennial Exhibition in 2018. The exhibition was held at the Customs House Museum in Clarksville, and Nick says, “The wonderful thing about being in the Best of Tennessee Craft exhibit was being able to connect with so many other wonderful working artists around Tennessee. Coming to the reception allowed me to meet and talk to all these other great craft persons, and hear about their work and experience. Being able to talk about contemporary craft with the renowned juror Kathryn Hall, was also an unforgettable opportunity!” Nick’s participation in the statewide event (submitted piece Double Word Score at right) allowed him to make connections that were not easily open to him otherwise.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Best of Tennessee Craft 2021 Biennial Exhibition.
Brie Flora, a jewelry artist and metalsmith from Cookeville, joined Tennessee Craft in 2018 and hasn’t stopped achieving goals since then. At the fall 2018 craft fair, Brie was awarded Best Emerging Maker, which she says gave her the confidence to apply to the spring 2019 fair as a solo artist. In spring 2019, she was awarded Best New Exhibitor! Brie has since exhibited at the American Craft Council shows in Baltimore and was featured in their San Francisco Bay Area Craft Week event. She is completing her term as president of Tennessee Craft—Plateau, a role in which she has encouraged her fellow chapter members in their work and was poised to serve as a mentor in the Emerging Makers Tent at the spring 2020 fair, prior to its cancellation. We’re excited to learn what she has in store for future endeavors!
CLICK HERE for more information about the 50th Annual Spring Tennessee Craft Fair.
Help us achieve our mission with a donation to fund critical programs and scholarships for artists. With your support we will work to ensure Tennessee makers and their handmade work are appreciated and celebrated for years to come.
