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Tennessee Craft – Midstate

Tennessee Craft – Midstate

About the Chapter

Tennessee Craft – Midstate is the largest Chapter of Tennessee Craft. More than 200 makers create this thriving network of artists. Midstate members invite the public to their shops and studios, teach and demonstrate their craft in the community, participate in craft fairs and other sales events and display their work in galleries across Tennessee and throughout the country.

This chapter welcomes artists from the following counties to participate in meetings and events: Stewart, Montgomery, Robertson, Sumner, Trousdale, Houston, Cheatham, Humphreys, Dickson, Davidson, Wilson, Williamson and Rutherford

Visit the Midstate Chapter Website or the Chapter’s Facebook Page.

Chapter Leadership

Visit Facebook, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Use hashtag #TNCraftMidstate

PLEASE NOTE: Midstate Chapter meetings typically happen the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM (taking a break in July & December).
Our Board will meet the Sunday before each meeting.
Feel free to bring items for show and tell – It is fascinating to learn about each artist’s process and approach to their craft!

Upcoming Events/Meetings

June Maker Meet-Up: Self-Care for Artists
Date: June 20, 6:30pm
Location: KreateHub Nashville, 309 Plus Park Blvd
We’re back at the beautiful Kreate Hub Nashville space this month for a special Self-Care for Artists meetup. Ashley Mintz will be leading us all in a creative collage activity. As always, light bites and refreshments will be provided. Join us on Tuesday, June 20th at 6:30 pm!

Art of Craft Exhibition
Date: August 4 – September 21, 2023
Location: Centennial Art Center (301 25th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203)

TN Craft Midstate is proud of our long-standing partnership with the Metro Parks Centennial Art Center (CAC) Gallery, located in Nashville’s Centennial Park. Our annual exhibit, The Art of Craft, will take place August 4 – September 21, 2023. This will be an invitational exhibit of TN Craft Midstate members. Selected artists will be invited to exhibit between 6 and 10 works (depending on size) that have not been previously shown in the CAC gallery. More info is on the Centennial Park Conservancy’s website.

3rd Annual Midstate Chapter Member Exhibition
Date: July 1-30, 2023
Location: John P. Holt Brentwood Library (8109 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027)

The Tennessee Craft Midstate Chapter invites members to apply for an exhibition to be held in the month of July 2023 at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library in Brentwood, TN. The exhibition seeks to include 1-3 artisans to show work in large, locked display cases. The show will be curated, though not juried, with the artists chosen from the sample images they provide in their application. If chosen, the artist(s) will be invited to show newer work too, but it should still be consistent with the quality and general style shown in their application images. Tennessee Craft welcomes a plurality of subjects and inspiration, though selected works must contain material appropriate for the John P. Holt Brentwood Library.

To apply, please send us 5 to 8 sample images of your work including a list providing the date, medium, and dimensions for each piece. Additionally, please provide the artist’s contact details and, if applicable, personal website and social media information.  Applications or queries should be directed to tncraftmidstate[AT]gmail[DOT]com.

 

Past Events/Meetings

April Maker Meet-Up: Community Art
Date: April 27
Location: KreateHub Nashville
Guest panelists Ashley Mintz and Jonathan Saad (Metro Arts) discussed the importance of community art and funding programs for artists.

Identity Crisis: Who Are We Becoming? is a juried exhibit made possible by the Arts at the Airport program. The exhibit is on view from January 9-March 27 in the International Arrivals hallway and can also be seen from Concourse A.

The intent of this exhibition is to showcase works of art & craft selected throughout the mid-state region that will challenge travelers to think differently about the identity of Nashville and surrounding areas as well as to expand their notion of craft and the craftsperson. In alignment with the TN Craft Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement, our vision for this exhibit is to reflect the historical diversity in craft communities that have simply not been shared equitably – an opportunity for artists to share stories from their community and/or identity group that have been left out, dismissed or intentionally suppressed.

Out of nearly 50 submissions, twelve artists, including current and new members of our chapter, each had one piece thoughtfully chosen by a panel of three jurors: Nuveen Barwari, Clarence Edward and Claudia Overstreet. Featured artists include Beizar Aradini – Fiber; Lesa Dowdy – Photography & NEW Midstate member; Megan Jordan – Painting; DaShawn Lewis – Photography & NEW Midstate member; Ashley Mintz – Mixed Media; Cesar Pita – Clay; Martha Morales Purucker – Glass & NEW Midstate member; Lance Scruggs – Painting & NEW Midstate member; Ashley Seay – Printmaking; Mary Louise Sullivan – Book, Paper, & Print; Josh Wagner – Sculpture; Tyler Worthington – Mixed Media & NEW Midstate Member!

February Maker Meet-Up: Tennessee Black Craft History Project
Date: February 23
Location: Zoom & Frist Art Museum
ETSU Curator Karlota Contreras-Koterbay, lead researcher for the Tennessee Black Craft History project, described her work, the goals of the project and ways you can get involved.

Art of Craft Exhibition
Date: August 5 – September 20, 2022
Location: Centennial Art Center (301 25th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203)

Each year, Centennial Art Center and Tennessee Craft–Midstate present the Art of Craft Exhibit. This year to commemorate Centennial Art Center’s 50th anniversary and its longstanding relationship with Tennessee Craft, two artists from each chapter of Tennessee Craft are invited to participate. This history between our organizations begins in 1972: Centennial Art Center opened April 23, and the First Annual Spring Craft Fair of Tennessee Association of Craft Artists took place April 28-30, at the Art Center. More info is on the Centennial Park Conservancy’s website.

Midstate Chapter Member Exhibition
Date: July 2022
Location: John P. Holt Brentwood Library (8109 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027)

For the month of July, the John P. Holt Brentwood Public Library featured the work of Midstate Chapter members Beth Barnard (clay), Kaitlin Savage (ceramics), and Roberta Bell (mixed media).

June Maker Meet-Up: Black on Buchanan Art & Craft Show
Date: June 18, 2:00-6:00pm
Location: Buchanan Street, Nashville, at Nashville Jazz Workshop

May Virtual Maker Meet-Up: Community Engagement & Collaboration for the Arts
Date: May 28
Location: ONLINE – Recording on YouTube

Member Exhibition
Date: Month of April
Location: Hendersonville Public Library, 140 Saundersville Road, Hendersonville, TN 37075

Six Tennessee Craft—Midstate members’ work is on exhibit through the month of April!

March Virtual Maker Meet-Up
Date: March 18 at 6:30pm
Location: ONLINE – Tennessee Craft Midstate Facebook Live

Join us for our March Virtual Maker Meet-up featuring woodblock printer, multimedia artist, and painter Ashley Seay. Ashley studied Printmaking at Middle Tennessee State University. As an artist, creative thinker, and teacher, she specializes in carving woodblocks and screenprinting in order to show the world the beauty of handmade prints. Her artwork appears online and off, in paintings, screen and woodblock prints, portraits, and mixed media.

Ashley was a featured artist at “The Connoisseur: Eat, Drink and Paint” and taught art classes to children and youth at Napier Community Center for the organization, The Way, Truth, and Enlightenment through the Cultural Arts Enrichment program. She has also participated in art galleries in the local and university setting at establishments such as the Vanderbilt Curb Center and One Drop Ink tattoo. As an eccentric thinker, creative, and teacher who sees art in everything and everyone, Ashley comprehends and integrates these three components into beautiful compositions.

Ashley was one of our spotlight artists in our Virtual Kids’ Tent last year. Check out her interview and the kids’ craft based on her work!

February Virtual Maker Meet-Up
Date: February 18 at 6:30 PM
Location: ONLINE – Tennessee Craft Midstate Facebook Watch Party

Our February Maker Meet-Up will feature our Microgrant recipient Joe Brown, Blacksmith! Joe is one of our newest Microgrant recipients. He says, “The technique of heating metal and forming it into works of art was the intriguing factor that led me to become an Artist Blacksmith. I am inspired by the elements of nature as well as the lines nature creates. Much of my work reflects this inspiration.”

Check out more on his website!

January Virtual Maker Meet-up on Facebook Live
Featuring Clay Artist Kaitlin Savage
Date: Thursday, January 21 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)

As usual, we will be taking December off from hosting a Maker Meet-Up, so our members can prioritize spending time with their families, finishing all those amazing handmade gifts, and getting ready for holiday sales. Please go ahead and save the date for our January Maker Meet-Up, which will feature clay artist Kaitlin Savage!

The Art of Craft Member Exhibition
Dates: October 12 to November 18, 2020 (Mon-Thurs, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Location: Centennial Art Center (301 25th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203)

The Tennessee Craft-Midstate Chapter is proud of our long-standing partnership with the Centennial Art Center (CAC) Gallery, located in Centennial Park (Nashville). The Art of Craft was on display through November 18, 2020. This year’s exhibit brought together a wide array of handcrafted items to inspire gallery visitors. From hand-made precious metal jewelry and whimsical clay sculptures to scenic landscapes woven or captured by watercolor brush, this exhibit showed the range of talent among middle Tennessee’s fine craft artists. Featured artists were Roberta Bell (Mixed Media), Laurie Davis (Mixed Media), Jim Jennings, Sr. (Mixed Media), JoEl Logiudice (Fiber/Textile), Donna Rizzo (Clay), Kaitlin Savage (Clay), Amy Sterling (Watercolor), David Taylor (Clay) and Lindsay Walker (Jewelry).

November Virtual Maker Meet-up on Facebook Live
Art as a Business: Best Practices for Pivoting and Selling Art Online with Pepper Sims
Date: Thursday, November 19 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)

Midstate Chapter Vice-President Kamilah Sanders interviewed Pepper Sims of Pepper Palm about her success in selling and marketing her work online. Check Pepper out on Instagram and Etsy!

September Virtual Meetup
Date: Thursday, September 24 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)
Location: Via Facebook Live

Vice-President Kamilah Sanders interviewed creative community builder Megan Kelley, discussing ways to connect with the greater community to expand your reach as an artist and offering creative ways to build community considering the restrictions of COVID-19. Megan has served as an artist consultant for panels and forums held by the Metro Nashville Arts Commission strategic planning sessions and is on the advisory council as a consulting artist for the Make a Mark initiative with the Housing Fund. She works regularly with groups such as Make Nashville, the Nashville Creative Group, Platetone Printmaking, and Paper and Book Arts, regarding social media management, community presence and development, and programming.

August Virtual Meetup
Date: Thursday, August 20 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)
Location: Via Zoom

We shared our work, as we worked, and discussed the “new normal” of artistic life with COVID-19.

Midstate Chapter Member Exhibition
Date: July 2020
Location: John P. Holt Brentwood Library (8109 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027)

For the month of July, the John P. Holt Brentwood Public Library displayed the work of Amy Sterling (ceramics), Ryn Roberts (ceramics), and Cathy Cirisan (photography).

July Virtual Meetup: “Watch Party” of the Library Exhibit Tour
Date: Thursday, July 16 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)
Location: Facebook Live

In celebration of the library show, we hosted a virtual “watch party” of Cathy Cirisan giving a video tour of the show with commentary by the artists

Access was provided by free membership in the Midstate Facebook Group.

Live Conversation with Micro-Grant Recipient and Jeweler Lindsay Walker

Date: Tuesday, June 23, 5:00 PM
Location: Instagram

We broadcast on @tncraftmidstate IG Live with @walkerjewelry one of our recent micro-grant recipients. We discussed her jewelry making technique and unique style. Check out the newly released video on IGTV!

Handcrafted in Tennessee by Lindsay Walker, Walker Jewelry designs are inspired by stories and the beauty found in the South. Produced with sustainable materials, collections are designed to create memories for people. We invite our customers to become part of the process by collaborating to design custom occasion jewelry as well as participating in jewelry making workshops. Everything from wedding band workshops, engaging corporate team building, to friends connecting while making stacker rings, Walker Jewelry is excited to be part of your jewelry making journey.

June Virtual Meetup: PIVOT: Making Transitions & Promoting Your Art Business
Date: Thursday, June 18 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)
Location: Facebook Live

Live panel discussion featuring our recent micro-grant recipients: Jenn Cole (Ceramics), Ashley Mintz (Painting), and Lindsay Walker (Jewelry)

Moderated by: Kamilah Sanders (Tennessee Craft-Midstate Co-Vice President) and Audry Deal-McEver (Tennessee Craft-Midstate President)

Learn how to pivot during this time from a panel of full-time artists. Whether you are full-time, part-time or just starting to promote your art, we provided actionable tips on the best ways to promote your business online and discussed the present and future of art promotions.

Access was provided by free membership in the Midstate Facebook Group.

Live Conversation with Micro-Grant Recipient and Potter Jenn Cole
Date: Tuesday, June 16, 5:00 PM
Location: Instagram

We broadcast on @tncraftmidstate IG Live with @jenncoleceramics, one of our recent micro-grant recipients. We discussed her unique technique for ceramics and the inspiration behind her pieces. Check out the newly released video on our IGTV and come with questions!

Jenn Cole is a ceramic artist and curator from Lancaster, Ohio. She graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics in 2012. Following graduation, Jenn pursued residencies at The Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio in Iowa, The Appalachian Center for Craft in Tennessee, and the Red Lodge Clay Center in Montana. Jenn has exhibited her pottery and curated shows in galleries across the country and has worked as the Gallery Manager at The Appalachian Center for Craft and most recently as the Curator of Exhibitions and Gallery Coordinator for the Red Lodge Clay Center in Red Lodge, MT. Jenn currently lives in Cookeville, TN, where she works as a full-time potter.

Live Conversation with Micro-Grant Recipient and Painter and Mixed Media Artist Ashley Mintz
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 5:00 PM
Location: Facebook Live

Via Facebook Live, we talked with our Micro-Grant winner Ashley Mintz. Watch her new how-to video on mixed media painting and art cards on IGTV or on our website at http://www.tennesseecraftmidstate.org/midstate-micro-grant-… Ashley’s talents include music, poetry and painting, and she is heavily involved in Nashville’s art community from having solo exhibits to teaching art classes.

In addition to her newly released video, we discussed her exhibits such as “Being Black in America: A Comparison of Past and Present.” From @nashvillearts : This exhibit “investigates blackness as historical and contemporary identity. In doing so, the artist hopes to identify stereotypes and push viewers to consider how they interact with each other regarding racial identity.”

“Mintz uses paint and collage to achieve texture, choosing wood panels over canvases because they’ll hold up to more abuse. She layers scraps of newsprint, bits of fabric, pieces of maps, and pages of old books with paint.”

May Virtual Meetup: Live from Elephant Gallery
Date: Thursday, May 21 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)
Location: Facebook Live

During May’s Virtual Maker Meet-Up, we toured the Elephant Gallery along with their studios in North Nashville. Our co-vice president, Cesar Pita, has his studio at @elephantgallery and streamed this tour online through our Facebook group. Cesar discussed his creative process and showed us some of his work in progress as well as what others at @elephantgallery are working on.

Access was provided by free membership in the Midstate Facebook Group.

April Virtual Meetup: Live from Audry Deal-McEver’s Studio
Date: Thursday, April 16 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)
Location: Facebook Live!

Midstate Chapter president Audry Deal-McEver gave a virtual tour of her home studio, talked a little bit about her creative process, and facilitated a question-and-answer session.

February Meet-Up: Show us Whatcha Got
Date: Thursday, February 20 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)
Location: Clay Lady’s Campus (1416 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37210), Studio B

Each person was invited to bring 1 to 3 pieces and talk a little about their work and process.

January Meet-Up: Makers’ Health and Self-Care
Date: Thursday, January 16, 2020 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)
Location: Clay Lady’s Campus (1416 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37210), Studio B

Since many of us have probably set New Year’s resolutions to prioritize health and creativity in 2020, we decided to provide you with a boost of encouragement. Sadie Hart, a certified Y12SR yoga instructor and musician, led us through some physical and mental exercises specifically designed for makers like you.

Handmade Holiday Crawl
Date: Saturday, December 7, 2019 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
Details: http://www.tennesseecraftmidstate.org/handmade-holiday-crawl.html

The Handmade Holiday Crawl is an annual event hosted by Tennessee Craft Midstate Chapter inviting the public into the studios of middle Tennessee’s finest makers. Artists are present to tell you about their processes and show you their studios. Most artists also have work for sale, making this a great way to shop locally during the holiday season while supporting the arts and the tradition of “handmade in Tennessee.” An easy to navigate online map with photos of artwork and links to artist’s websites allows visitors to easily plan their day and navigate as many studios as possible!

Participating artists benefit from paid online advertising, promotion through Tennessee Craft’s newsletters and expansive social media platforms, along with the powerful synergy that happens when artists cross-promote each other. We believe artists are always stronger together! There were also incentives to encourage visitors to visit multiple studios.

November Member Meet-Up: Tour of “Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists” at the Frist Museum of Art
Date: Thursday, November 21
Time: 6:30 PM
Information about the Frist Art Museum, including admission cost and parking information can be found on their website.

October Meet-Up: Makers Social and Dinner
Date: Thursday, October 17 (6:30 – 8:00 PM)
Location: Clay Lady’s Campus (1416 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37210), Front Building (not Studio B)

For our October Meet-Up, we hosted a potluck dinner and an opportunity to swap extra studio tools/materials with other TN Craft members.

The Art of Craft Member Exhibition
Dates: August 16 to September 27, 2019 (Mon-Thurs, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Location: Centennial Art Center (301 25th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203)

This annual juried exhibition was hosted by the Centennial Art Center and featured work by Tennessee Craft-Midstate members. Exhibiting artists included Alexis Colbert, Alice Shepherd, Asia Mathis, Cheryl Benus, Jennifer Beresford, JoEl Logiudice, John Roeder, Judith Kittredge, Larry & Tracey Rogers, Martha Christian, Mary Crow, Roberta Bell and Sara King.

September Meet-Up
Date: Thursday, September 19 (6:00 – 8:00 PM)
Location: Clay Lady’s Campus (1416 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37210)

We welcomed Krishna Adams, the Director of Visual Arts, Craft, Media, and Design at the Tennessee Arts Commission. She discussed the grants her department offers and gave us tips about the application process. For more information, visit our chapter resources page where you can find notes from Krishna’s presentation under “Funding Opportunities.”

JUNE MEMBERSHIP MEETING: How to Approach and Interact with Galleries
Date: Thursday, June 20
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: The Clay Lady’s Campus (1416 Lebanon Pike #C, Nashville, TN 37210)
(Directions: Pull into the parking lot and drive past the first building (on the right). Studio B is the first building on the left.)

We had a panel discussion about approaching and working with galleries, led by ceramic artist and curator Jenn Cole alongside Talbott and John Grimm from the Copper Fox Gallery.

GREEN HILLS LIBRARY MEMBER SHOW
May 2019

The exhibit featured:
Chris Armstrong – Felt
Rachel Bartek – Blown glass / Glass works
Roberta Bell – Mixed media
Jeff Brockett – Wood
Martha Christian – Textile / Weaving
Jennifer Konyn – Ceramics
Didi McCollum – Painting
Alice E Shepherd – Glass
Joshua Wagner – Ceramics

MAY MEMBERSHIP MEETING: Green Hills Library Members Show Reception
Date: Wednesday, May 15
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: Green Hills Library (3701 Benham Ave, Nashville, TN 37215)

We met to celebrate the wonderful Tennessee Craft Midstate members who have responded to our call to submit work for this exhibit.

APRIL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: Critiquing-How To and Why
Date: Thursday, April 18
Speakers:
Kelly Kessler – Check out her sculptural and functional ceramic work.
Lesley Patterson-Marx – Her prints, drawings, hand-made books, along with many other projects can be found here.
John Donovan – Click here to see his ceramic tableware business,Tenure, as well as his sculptural work.

This panel of talented educators and makers discussed the importance of incorporating critique into our art practices. They shared advice on how to approach critiquing and provided some on-the-spot critiques for our members.

Tennessee Craft-Midstate Gallery Crawl Meet-up

Date: Saturday, April 6
Time: 5:30 PM
Meet-up Location: Fort Houston (2020 Lindell Ave, Nashville, TN)

 

MARCH MEMBERSHIP MEETING: Field Trip to Watkins College of Art

Date: Thursday, March 21
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: Watkins College of Art (2298 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN)

We toured of the school’s community art education program to learn more about this important local resource for professional development.

Tennessee Craft-Midstate Gallery Crawl Meet-up

Date: Saturday, March 2
Time: 5:30 PM
Meet-up Location: Diskin Cider (1235 Martin St, Nashville, TN)

Thursday, February 21: Artwork Show and Tell with a Discussion about Social Media

Location: The Clay Lady’s Campus (1416 Lebanon Pike #C, Nashville, TN 37210)
(Directions: Pull into the parking lot and drive past the first building (on the right). Studio B is the first building on the left.)

Artists brought favorite works in progress or finished pieces of art to share. Rachel Calar (Tennessee Craft-Midstate Communications Committee board member) led a discussion on social media as a tool for your art practice. She also presented a few successful social media campaigns as examples.

Thursday, January 17, 2019: So You Got Accepted to a Craft Fair? Now What?

Featured Speakers:

This panel of experienced craft fair exhibitors discussed the logistics of planning and pulling off a craft fair event, including: 

  • tents and displays
  • managing inventory and sales
  • customer expectations
  • show expectations
  • how to prepare for the unexpected and less than ideal weather, etc.

Thursday, November 15, 2018: ​The Application Process

Featured Speakers:

  • Craig Nutt – Craig is a wood worker who has served as a Tennessee Craft Fair juror many times. You can view his work at www.CraigNutt.com
  • Kim Waag – Representing the Tennessee Craft Fair, Kim has been the Membership Manager for Tennessee Craft for the past two years and has been heavily involved in many Tennessee Craft Fairs. She has recently transitioned to the role of Program Director, as lead fair organizer.
  • Teri AleaExecutive Director, Tennessee Craft. Teri will also represent Tennessee Craft Fair.

In this meeting we discussed how to research craft fairs, how to choose which shows might be a good fit for your current experience level, and how to apply. We discussed cost, the types of questions you’ll have to answer about your work, common application problems and tips for successful applications.


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