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An Exhibit of the Tennessee Traditional Apprenticeship Program

Exhibit Opens May 19 through July 14. Artist reception is June 1, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

By Dr. Bradley Hanson and Dr. Dana Everts-Boehm –

This exhibit presents photographs, videos and objects documenting the inaugural year of the Tennessee Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. The eight Master and Apprentice teams include fiddle maker Jean Horner from Westel and apprentice Austin Derryberry; broom maker Jack Martin from Selmer and apprentice Jack Tipton; flatfoot buck dancer Thomas Maupin from Murfreesboro and apprentice Courtney Williams; Ghanaian drummer Kofi Mawuko from Chattanooga and apprentice Dean Demarland; Puerto Rican conguero Billy Ramirez from Murfreesboro and apprentices Rachel Rodriguez and Kata Rhe Crutcher; Choctaw beadworker Sally Wells from Smyrna and apprentice Madison Dean; white oak basket maker Sue Williams from Morrison and apprentice Brenda Kucharski; and fiddler and guitarist James Wood from Shelbyville and apprentice Ben Ayers.

The program is designed to encourage the preservation of our state’s diverse folklife traditions, especially those that are rare or endangered. Each master artist is recognized by his or her community as an exceptionally skilled tradition bearer representing the best of their cultural heritage. Their chosen apprentices are talented students who desire to strengthen their abilities. The teams embarked on one-on-one training for a 6-month period in late 2016. This exhibition presents the fruits of their labors. Artists from the program will demonstrate and discuss their experiences at a reception in the Tennessee Arts Commission Gallery on June 1 from 5-7 p.m. The reception is open to the public.

Cover photos (clockwise from upper left): Kofi Mawuko, Brenda Kucharski, Thomas Maupin, Madison Dean, Ben Ayers, Jean Horner, Billy Ramirez and Jack Tipton. Photographs by Bradley Hanson and Dana Everts-Boehm.

Tennessee Arts Commission Gallery is located at 401 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, TN 37243. Hours: Mondays-Fridays 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., free admission.
For ADA inquiries, please call (615) 532-9797.