Hey y’all! I took these photos FOREVER ago (they’re dated December 2023!) and have been meaning to share some insights into the places where I teach classes. These photos are from the Appalachian Arts Craft Center in Clinton (Norris), TN. I think they were probably the first place that I visited that said yes to my classes here in the Knoxville region. I was driving by and decided to stop in. Hannah, one of the assistants and teachers at the Center had a very warm welcome for me! We hit it off immediately and she introduced me to the Director, Ashley. I work mostly with Ashley, albeit via email. We’ve actually only seen each other a couple of times since that fateful day (I can’t even remember what month I first stopped in there but it had to have been August). Anyway. Ashely is always game for whatever class I suggest! In fact, I am teaching a class tonight–fermentation. Sometimes classes fill up, other times we have to cancel them. Sometimes we only get a handful of people. Such is the life of offering classes.
The Studio
At any rate, I took these photos months ago and have been meaning to share them here. I’m pretty sure I shared them over on Instagram, but I would like to get back to sharing things here in this little space of mine. I love this space, much like I LOVE the Appalachian Arts Craft Center. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate space to offer my classes. I mean, I do teach traditional southern Appalachian heritage skills after all.
AACC (as it’s affectionately known as for those of us ‘in the know’) offers all sorts of traditional, and non-traditional, southern Appalachian heritage classes. They have a pottery studio. They teach weaving, which is on my list of things to learn (along with spinning). They also had chair caning in April. Sadly, I didn’t get to take that class, but it too is on my list of things to learn. Along with basket weaving. One day I will have the extra time to learn these skills. But for now, I will continue to teach my style of southern Appalachian heritage skills at the Appalachian Arts Craft Center.
Have you taken any good classes lately? Tell me about it in the comments!
’til next time
-k
xoxo