TN Master Artist Apprentice Program on Exhibit

On Exhibit October 11 — December 6, 2019

From Krishna Adams, Director of Visual Arts, Craft, Media & Design –

The Master Artist Apprentice Program (MAAP) is a 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 Tennessee craft by recognizing the role of the master craft artist and apprentice relationship as a way to preserve the state’s cultural heritage. This partnership provides Tennessee craft artists with relevant and alternative educational experiences, promotes and facilitates fine craft as a viable career path for Tennessee artists, fosters deliberate mentoring, facilitates the professional development of emerging Tennessee craft artists, increases the pool of Tennessee craft artists and provides Tennessee craft artists with alternative means of professional funding.

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. In its tenth year, the MAAP continues to cultivate the traditional master/apprentice relationship by awarding selected artists with a grant to ensure craft art is nurtured in Tennessee.

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

Jewelry: Renee Ford, Master (Franklin) and Blaque Reily, Apprentice (Nashville)

Wood: Dennis Paullus, Master (Arlington) and Matthew Davis, Apprentice (Memphis)

Metal: Ben Caldwell, Master (Kingston Springs) and Malachi Foriest, Apprentice (Columbia)