NASHVILLE, TN (January 10, 2025)— Tennessee Craft is excited to bring two exhibitions to the Tennessee Plateau hosted at Tennessee Tech’s Appalachian Center for Craft’s Dogwood & Lakeview Galleries, in Smithville, TN. These dual exhibitions celebrate the rich history of traditional and contemporary craft in Tennessee, along with the yearning to transmit that legacy through mentorship and storytelling. Both Exhibitions are on display from December 12, 2024 until February 9, 2025. A public reception is scheduled on Saturday, February 8, from 5 to 7 p.m., and is sponsored by Tennessee Craft’s Plateau Chapter.
Celebration of 15 Years of the Master Artist Apprentice Program 2024-2025 Exhibition
Dogwood Gallery | Tennessee Tech’s Appalachian Center for Craft
December 12, 2024 – February 9, 2025
This exhibition Celebrates the Master Artist Apprentice Program’s (MAAP) 15th year. MAAP is a recognized cooperative partnership between the Tennessee Arts Commission and Tennessee Craft. The mission of this collaboration is to encourage and invest in the continuation, advancement, and creation of craft in Tennessee by recognizing the role of the master craft artist and apprentice relationship to preserve the state’s cultural heritage. This partnership provides craft artists with relevant and alternative educational experiences and promotes and facilitates fine craft as a viable career path for Tennessee artists through mentoring and professional development of emerging craft artists.
“The Master Artist Apprentice Program provides a six-month immersive mentorship professional opportunity on an annual basis for three artists to refine their work and advance their craftsmanship under the concentrated guidance of master professional artists. We are grateful for these mentors who give forward their time, expertise and inspiration as well as the apprentices who dedicated these six months to honing their craft. This exhibition serves as a chance to highlight that hard work and dedication” says Tennessee Craft Executive Director Kim McCurdy Waag.
Artist list: Master Brie Flora, Apprentice Kayla Byrd, Master Doug Lowman, Apprentice Carolyn Lowe, and Master Sherri Warner Hunter, Apprentice Buffy Holton.
Wilson Lee Jr - Carving with Consciences: Wood a Medium for Expression
Lakeview Gallery| Tennessee Tech’s Appalachian Center for Craft
December 12, 2024 – February 9, 2025
Since 1965, Tennessee Craft has celebrated, preserved, and promoted the rich histories and techniques of traditional and contemporary craft as handmade art in Tennessee. In partnership with the Lifeworks Foundation, the Tennessee Heritage Craft Fellowship seeks to honor and encourage craft artists who demonstrate excellence, commitment, and a high level of craftsmanship while working within well-established craft traditions.
Artist Wilson Lee, Jr. has been selected as the recipient of the Tennessee Heritage Craft Fellowship, along with a solo exhibition in recognition of his outstanding Craft contributions. Born into a family of woodworkers in the Mississippi Delta, Wilson’s work reflects both his rich cultural heritage and his creative spirit. Influenced by the social realities of the Civil Rights Movement, his abstract carvings express powerful statements on themes such as justice, equality, love, and the blues. With each piece, Wilson brings to life the stories with the wood he carves, honoring the past while commenting on the world around him
