Tradition: Tennessee Lives and Legacies is a photography book and companion exhibition highlighting the state’s folk heritage. Traditions is a collaboration between the Tennessee Arts Commission former Folklife Program Director, Robert Cogswell and Nashville photographer, Dean Dixon that portrays its subjects through extensive color portraiture along with short essays that summarize their lives and art forms.
Although most of the subjects are individuals, some are two or three people who partner in keeping their legacy alive. Their traditions include music, dance, crafts, foodways as well as related practices and customs. The project’s wide scope reflects grassroots diversity, creativity and vitality found across the state. Its people, though all unique, share common attachments to their cultural identities and lifelong dedication in what they do.
The hardbound volume is large-format, containing 164 pages, with dust jacket and digital image DVD.
The accompanying Tradition: Tennessee Lives and Legacies Teacher’s Guide can be found online.
