Craft Master Artist Apprentice Program (MAAP) Virtual Exhibition
By Krishna Adams, Director of Visual Arts, Craft, Media, and Design –
Craft Master Artist Apprentice Program (MAAP)
Virtual Exhibition
October 6, 2023–December 1, 2023
Master and Apprentice Online Artist Talks
Craft MAAP participants discuss their experiences in the program. Join us!
Fiber/Textile: Louise Nuttle, Master and Aja Bain, Apprentice
Thursday, November 2nd at 11am Central/12pm Eastern
Metal: Jim Masterson, Master and Dace Ruthven, Apprentice
Tuesday, November 7th at 1pm Central/2pm Eastern
Clay: Louis Colombarini, Master and Victory Folsom, Apprentice
Monday, November 13th at 11am Central/12pm Eastern
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. It 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.
Check out the exhibition 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)
Master Louise Nuttle
Louise Nuttle starts with locally sourced natural animal fleeces to create small-batch, hand-dyed yarns, which she uses in her one-of-a-kind woven and felted garments and accessories. She purchased her first three alpacas in 2007 and established Dry Creek Alpacas. In 2010, she co-launched “Only the Finest,” a line of yarns from harvested alpaca fleeces. She left her career in higher education in 2019 and opened her solo studio, Nuttle Fiber Art & Design, where she offers individual and small group instruction in spinning, weaving, and felt making. Learn more here.
Apprentice Aja Bain
“I learned a tremendous amount about the crafts of weaving and dyeing, as well as the experiences of local fiber farmers and economies. Being able to witness and participate in the process of fiber work from taking fleece off an alpaca all the way to a finished piece gave me greater appreciation for the natural roots of fiber art and its ties to history and the land. Working with Louise Nuttle also helped change my artistic practice to one where I feel free to experiment, try new things, find lessons in failure, and seek joy in discovery. This experience helped me understand fiberwork as a form of expression and play that can connect people and spark creativity. The MAAP program was also a great introduction to the world of craft artists and the guilds, groups, and shows that connect this community. Before this program, I was an attendee and appreciator of these events/groups but being able to be on the other side and a part of the artistic community is a direct result of this program.”
Master Louis Colombarini
Colombarini has been a self-employed ceramic artist for over 46 years. He received a B.A. in Art History from S.U.N.Y. at Geneseo, NY. He went on to study ceramics at Florida Atlantic University. In 1979, he built a studio and established his business, Cosmic Clay. He has presented his work at over 600 juried art shows and gallery exhibitions and has received numerous awards and honors. He has taught clay workshops, as well as seminars with an emphasis on self-employment as an artist. With a need for rural art and craft awareness in the rural community, Louis co-founded Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour, now in its 22nd successful year. Learn more here.
Apprentice Victory Folsom
“Having the opportunity to be hands-on in every aspect of making pottery has helped me understand a lot more about the processes. Previously I had not fired a kiln by myself or started an electric kiln but was able to do both during the MAAP apprenticeship…Working with Louie Colombarini I was able to be hands-on for every step. We built kilns, harvested clay, fired kilns, created glazes, processed clay – every aspect of pottery. I plan on using the knowledge I have gained to build a few different types of kilns at my studio and continue to harvest and process local clay. I have really enjoyed experimenting with primitive techniques of both processing clay and firing. It has given me a new perspective on an ancient craft. I am particularly interested in the intersection of modern technology and ancient techniques.” Learn more about Folsom and her work here.
Master Jim Masterson
Masterson received his B.F.A. in Metalsmithing from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and received his M.F.A. in Metalsmithing from Miami University (Ohio). Jim has been working for the National Ornamental Metal Museum for 22 years. He currently serves as the lead designer and head of the Metal Studio. His artwork is in private and public collections, and his large-scale metalworks are installed at the Memphis Botanic Garden and Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. Learn more here.
Apprentice Dace Ruthven
“While studying under Jim Masterson, I learned necessary skills and forged indispensable tools that I can use in my professional blacksmithing career going forward. In our initial talks, we formulated a plan and split the program into three separate phases. The first phase was tool making, wherein we would design and forge essential tools that will serve me for a lifetime. The second phase would be research and design, which involved reading material that Masterson provided and discussing the process of sketching, drafting projects to scale, and design in general. The third phase was the architectural and sculptural aspects of the apprenticeship, wherein I would design an architectural or sculptural piece that incorporated the skills I learned and the tools I made in phases one and two. I will be able to use all of the skills Masterson taught me and the tools we made together in the future to further my career as a professional blacksmith and craftsman. I am grateful to have been a part of this program and I would strongly recommend it for anyone that wishes to apply.”
Learn more about the Master Artist Apprentice Program for FY24
Applications are open now! Deadline is November 1, 2023.
