I believe that every plant and animal possesses a unique essence, which is interrelated with the lives and spirits of others. Each of my one-of-a-kind pieces embodies fragments of the spirit of the clan of mankind. Using found objects, I am embedding memories of the past in the present. Holding these pieces, you are connected to all cultures, back to the beginning of time. They are infused with a very ethnic presence.
My work can be found in many publications, including 500 Handmade Books, and in galleries in the Southeast, New England and in private collections in Japan, Europe, and the United States and was included in the 2009 American Craft Council Southeast Spotlight.

Jeanne Whitfield Brady
~ Whirligirl Designs ~

Jeanne is head of the Fibers Department at the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville.  

Jeanne received her BFA in printmaking in 1977 and her MFA in 1996 in Surface and Textile Design from East Carolina University.

Jeanne’s eclectic fiber work is thematically based on her personal response to nature. Her work includes hand dyed fabric wall hangings, scarves, pillows, potholders, and wooden whirligigs.  Jeanne’s work has been published in Fiberarts Design Book Seven, American Craft Magazine, and the Surface Design Journal. Jeanne’s work is represented in national and international exhibitions, private collections, and in backyards.

LOUIS AND CHRISTINE COLOMBARINI, Clay.
Louis and Christine have been partners in clay for over 30 years. Interests in foreign travel and pre- Colombian cultures have inspired them to focus on primitive-fired clay works. They have exhibited throughout the country and won numerous awards. In 2005, Louis and Christine were the recipients of the prestigious Niche Award. Last year, the couple was represented in American Style Magazine in “Collecting Ceramic Art” (Oct. 2007). Recently, Christine’s work was chosen for inclusion in Lark Books’ 500 Plates & Chargers: Innovative Expression of Function & Style (500 Series). In addition, their Stella Luna Art Gallery’s 4th anniversary will be held during studio tour weekend. Their studio is Cosmic Clay Studio, 8252 Old Mill Hill Road, Dowelltown, TN 37059. (615) 597-6476. www.cosmic-clay.com.

CHERY CRATTY, Pulp Painting.
Chery Cratty is a full-time studio artist. Using porcupine quills and palette knives, she applies her patent-pending paint to dry pulpcovered canvasses, creating richly textured paintings that invite touching. She is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, the Piedmont Craftsmen, and the International Association of Hand Paper Makers and Artists. Her paintings hang in corporate and private collections internationally. In addition, Chery enjoys teaching and has recently taught in Highlands, NC and Spineto, Italy. She is developing a line of patent-pending paints and accessories for artists and crafters. Her email is chery@cherycratty.com.

SUSAN DEMAY, Clay.
Susan DeMay has been working in clay over 30 years and, though her style has changed from time to time, a common thread of glaze investigation runs through her work. Using multiple glazes in both functional and decorative works, she explores different glaze surfaces and color schemes as well as many themes and narratives. These various series have been exhibited in numerous shows in the region. Recently, one of her platters was accepted into Lark Books’ 500 Plates & Chargers: Innovative Expression of Function & Style (500 Series). Susan is a full-time member of the Vanderbilt University art faculty and conducts numerous workshops throughout Middle Tennessee and Atlanta on glazing strategies. Her studio is Creek Ferry Pottery, 801 S. Mountain Street, Smithville, TN 37166. (615) 597-8867. demay@dtccom.net.

T. J. EDWARDS, Clay.
T. J. is back for his third year on the studio tour. He recently completed his B.F.A. at Tennessee Tech’s Appalachian Center for Craft and is working toward his teaching certification. His recent honors include a Wingate Fellowship to China next summer and a purchase award from the Tennessee Arts Commission to add his work to the permanent collection at the Tennessee State Museum. This fall, T.J. begins work at Vanderbilt University as studio technician. He continues to exhibit his work both in solo and group exhibitions. He may be contacted via e-mail at tjedwardspottery@gmail.com.

Kathryn Mills Faille lives in Auburntown, TN and works in her home studio. Her interest in clay work began 30 years ago when she began to study in the studio of a local potter, after which she attended several summer sessions at the Penland School of Crafts. Over the years, she has participated in many workshops and classes.

Her current work uses the technique called sgraffito, which simply means, carving though slip or glaze to reveal a design on the clay. She uses black underglaze and transparent glazes and fires to cone 6 in oxidation.

She is a member of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild, Tennessee Association of Craft Artists and a member of the board of directors of the Cannon County Arts Center. Her work is on display at The Appalachian Center for Crafts, Stella Luna Art Gallery, Arrowcraft as well as several other craft shops and galleries throughout the South.

 

SHERRI G., Clay.
Witness the enchantment of Raku. Watch as the pottery piece is placed in the kiln. Experience watching the glaze melt as the propane increases. See the beautiful fire dance as the flames swirl around and over the piece. Feel the heat as the kiln is opened and the 1800° piece is pulled out and placed in a garbage can prepared with organic combustibles. Watch as the material bursts into flames and white smoke rolls as a lid is put on the container smoldering the flames. You will be amazed when the piece is removed 10-15 minutes later. Be a part of the miracle of Raku. Sherri’s studio is From the Earth & Sea Originals, 237 Gard Lane, Smithville, TN 37166. (615)
597-6528. sherrig@dtccom.net.

ROB HARVEY, Clay.
For the first time, Rob Harvey’s studio will join the studio tour. As an artist, agriculture has been a huge part of his evolution. The debut of his wood kiln consummates his personal transition from agrarian to artist. Still a working farm and homestead, Rob’s studio emerges from its trial by fire. Rob produces functional wheelthrown stoneware, using wood-ash glazes and traditional salt and wood-firing processes. A member of TACA, his work may be seen at selected shows and galleries in Tennessee. His studio is Creek Bend Pottery, 2566 Dry Creek Road, Dowelltown, TN 37059. (615) 536-5538.

TIM HINTZ, Ladderback Chairs.
A Tennessee Arts Commission fellow, Tim enjoys making his award-winning Fresh Chairs from scratch. He starts with the highest quality middle Tennessee red oak and then collects his own hickory bark for the woven seats. The chairs are comfortable because the back posts are steam bent to a supportive curve. After controlled seasoning of the parts, Tim carefully constructs each chair. He has a variety of finish styles, so he will have chairs that are just right for you to enjoy for years. Come to Fresh Chairs and see how comfortable they are. His studio is Fresh Chairs, 118 Ponder Lane, Smithville, TN 37166.
(615) 597-8770.

Merritt Ireland is a mixed media artist with 48 years of experience and versatility in painting, drawing, ceramic and installation art. For 3½ years of the last 10 years, she has worked in handmade paper and the book arts. She will be exhibiting concertina books incorporating monoprints, painting, paste paper and collage. In addition she will have sculpture relief in paper and clay combinations. Merritt feels a great inspiration for her new work is the expansiveness of the book arts and papermaking as an art form and a trip to the papermaking village of Kurodani, Japan in 2004.

RANDY JOHNS, Wood Furniture.
Randy has spent 40 years developing his skills in working wood. His furniture shows the influences from the Shaker/Arts & Crafts Movement with a dash of James Krenov thrown in. The result, however, is uniquely his own. He blends the use of power and hand tools to produce furniture, both traditional and modern as tomorrow. Many times, surfaces are scraped as was done in the 1700’s rather than sanded. Handplanes, scrapers, drawknives, spokeshaves and shaving horses are integral to his creations. Some items are split from the log to utilize the power of following the grain and for certain effects. He welcomes commission work for tables, chests, stools, boxes, etc.
Randy may be contacted at (931) 946-2834 or johnje01@blomand.net.

WILLIAM KOOIENGA, Sculpture. SHARON KOOIENGA, Fibers.
William and Sharon live simply on their 100 acres in an owner-built, solar-powered log home. William’s studio, overlooking their home, will be on the tour for the first time. William works primarily with wood to create flowing, organic, figurative and abstract sculpture as well as furniture and household articles. William recently participated in an exhibition at LeQuire Gallery, “New Approaches to Figurative Art,” and is now represented by Rymer Gallery, both in Nashville’s art district. In addition, he just completed a 24’ outdoor sculpture for a private home in Belle Meade.

Sharon spins, dyes and weaves natural fibers to create rich, beautiful rugs and wall hangings. Her work graces the halls and walls of many private homes. Together, they are Beech Hollow Studios, 578 Frazier Hollow Road, Dowelltown, TN 37059.
(615) 536-5567.

CLAUDIA LEE, Paper and Books.
Claudia’s paper is handmade from sustainable raw plant materials, many of them locally grown, cooked, beaten into pulp, and formed into sheets of paper. Her studio is a working/teaching facility that welcomes visitors and students. She is the author of Papermaking; included in 500 Handmade Books: Inspiring Interpretations in a Timeless Form (both published by Lark Books), and represented in over 20 additional books, three published in 2008. Recently, Claudia was invited to make the paper for part of the prestigious juried portfolio in Hand Papermaking magazine, and she will soon show at Nashville’s new Snow Gallery. One of her stunning pieces was recently chosen for the private collection of the Nashville Public Library. Her work is also part of the private collections at the Arrowmont School and at the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Claudia’s studio is Liberty Paper Mill, 1618 Cripps Road, Liberty, TN 37095.
(615) 536-5151,
paperlee@dtccom.net

CHERYL LUDWIG, Fibers.
Cheryl’s weaving career began in 1999 when she enrolled in an introduction to fibers class at the Appalachian Center for Craft. For her, what began as an escape and hobby quickly became an eye opening adventure into her creative nature. She enjoys weaving both traditional and contemporary textiles, incorporating hand-dyed yarns with some commercial chenille, rayon and cotton. Cheryl’s designs have won several awards at regional craft fairs, and her work can be seen at various galleries. She may be reached at (931) 265-2588 or Nanny031158@yahoo.com.

DAMON MACNAUGHT, Glass.
Damon makes a variety of sculptural and production glass items. Color and form have always been of strong interest in his exploration of glass as an artistic medium. He holds his M.F.A. in sculpture from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and recently moved back into this area to establish his studio. He is a former Artist-in-Residence at the Appalachian Center for Craft. His work has been included in the New Glass Review, Lark Books’ 500 Glass Objects, and Glass: The Urbanglass Art Quarterly. He may be reached at (931) 858-5211 or through www.dmacnaught.com.

KENDRA McKIMMY, Mixed Media.
Kendra has been making her living as an artist since the late 1970’s, beginning as a functional potter. For the last 18 years, her focus has been on smoked porcelain jewelry and sculptures of clay, rock, driftwood, twigs and recycled materials. Indigenous cultures and nature are the inspiration of her work. Her home and studio are surrounded by the Manistee National Forest, Michigan. Having traveled to countless art fairs and exhibited at numerous Midwest galleries for 30 years, she is now finding alternative, creative ways to sustain her philosophy of living simply and honoring the earth. She may be contacted at (231) 937-5027.

AMY POTTER, Architectural Ceramics.
Since 1997, Amy has made architectural ceramics and raised her kids in Liberty. Custom tableware, ceremonial vessels, arttile and wheel-thrown sinks are colorfully rendered to inspire form and function in living and working spaces. Her work is carried in Nashville at Utopia and the Frist Center Gift Shop, Williams Home Center in Brentwood, and the Williamsburg Winery in Virginia. Her professional associations include the Highland Rim TACA, Watertown Artist Guild of Tennessee, and This Century Gallery in Williamsburg. She may be reached at (615) 418-6220 or www.amypotter.com.

 Kathe Reed began her jewelry making career 14 years ago by taking classes at the Appalachian Center for Crafts.  She felt that it was important to learn the basics and then establish her own style of jewelry making.  She has worked with established jewelry designers and travels extensively to find the most unusual semi precious stones from all over the world to use in her wearable art.  She considers it her challenge to take the natural beauty of semi precious stones and sterling and arrange them in such a way that the beholder can't resist making the piece their own.

 

My work is woodturned Christmas ornaments and wooden bowls. I use wood native to Tennessee as well as exotic wood. I am self taught, but have taught woodturning at the Appalachian Center for Crafts, John C. Campbell Folk School, and Arrowmont. Woodturning is a hobby for me, I am a corporate pilot and this gives me something constructive to do when I'm not flying.

 

BREANNA ROCKSTAD-KINCAID, Fibers Art.
A graduate of the Appalachian Center for Craft, Breanna is a fibers artist, felt-maker, teacher, and mother. She works predominately with wool, making hand-felted accessories that question the definition of wearable art. Breanna uses unusual abstract felted forms that create visual movement as a vehicle to explore uninhibited creativity. She shows her work throughout the Southeast, and has been published in Lark Books’ Artful Felted Scarves, as well as in the magazine, Shuttle, Spindle, and Dyepot. She may be reached at
(931) 284-7947 or www.feltgoodfibers.com.

This is the first year on the tour for David Sharp. Vistors to his studio/gallery will have an opportunity see David demonstrate his skills carving a human bust as well as pumpkins on Halloween. Impressive as his work is, it's remarkable to realize he only started carving in 2006, and quickly mastered the tools and technique evident in the many different styles of work on display for the tour.

David at work carving a human bust in native wood, Although he only start carving since summer 06. several bust on hand for tour and woodspirits. Also walking sticks. Some reliefs to. I will demonstrate on human bust and will be carving pumpkins also. On awards I won 3rd best of show in dollywood in 08and pumkin carving competition in 09. far as some pictures you can take more if you want or I may have some on computer that I could email you. Let me know if you want carving pictures or me doing carving .

 

2009 Marks the 2nd year Stella  Luna Gallery will host the Hospitality Center during THE OFF THE BEATEN PATH STUDIO TOUR  October 23-25
    Louis & Christine Colombarini will also celebrate their 5th year as Gallery owners, and over 32 years supporting themselves as professional ceramic artists.
    Although they have won numerous awards and gained national recognition; staying closer to home to enjoy their pets, and the beautiful middle Tennessee countryside is a dream one day they hope to realize.
    Be sure to stop by to relax, enjoy light refreshments, and view " a distinctive ciollection of American fine art and craft".

ED WOOTEN, Glass and Shaker Boxes.
Ed has been working with stained glass for over 30 years. His work includes glass panels, lamps, torch work, and fused glass. Recently, he expanded his work to include Shaker oval wood boxes. Ed works at his shop on Big Hill Road, and offers classes in torch work, stained glass, and fused glass. His work is currently on display at the Arts Center of Cannon County, Stella Luna Art Gallery, and Southern Stained Glass in Murfreesboro. He is a member of the Glass Art Society. This is Ed’s fifth year on the studio tour. Ed may be reached at his home and shop at 5818 Big Hill Road, Liberty, TN 37095. (615) 563-1571. edwooten@dtccom.net.