October 6, 2023–December 1, 2023

In its 14th year, the Master Artist Apprentice Program (MAAP) is an established 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 the professional development of emerging craft artists.

This year, Tennessee craft masters shared their significant skills and creative aptitude by providing one-on-one mentoring instruction with apprentice artists to encourage, strengthen and grow their artistic foundation. The MAAP partnership continues to cultivate the traditional master/apprentice relationship by awarding selected artists with a grant to ensure craft art is nurtured in Tennessee. Learn more here.

The following partners worked together to sustain craft for the next generation:

Fiber/Textile: Louise Nuttle, Master (Jonesborough, Washington County) and Aja Bain, Apprentice (Nashville, Davidson County)

Clay: Louis Colombarini, Master (Dowelltown, DeKalb County) and Victory Folsom, Apprentice (Watertown, Wilson County)

Metal: Jim Masterson, Master (Memphis, Shelby County) and Dace Ruthven, Apprentice (Memphis, Shelby County)