CLASSES

The Craft Center is always adding new classes in such areas as pottery, weaving, quilting, jewelry, and others. To get a list of current classes, email appalachianarts@bellsouth.net, call the Center at 865-494-9854, or stop by the Center at 2716 Andersonville Highway 61, one mile east of I-75 Clinton/Norris Exit 122, across from the Museum of Appalachia.

If you would like to receive occasional email updates about classes or other events at the Center, please email appalachianarts@bellsouth.net. Or consider becoming a member and receive out monthly newsletter with class listings and other information and $10 off class fees. See our membership page.

CURRENT CLASSES (as of 6/18/08)

CROCHET 101, with Patti Ball
Three Saturdays, July 12, 19 and 26, 10 am to Noon
In this introductory class, students will learn the basic stitches to get started crocheting, so they can begin their own crochet projects. Patti Ball taught herself to crochet when she was in the fifth grade. Her first projects were working lace edgings around dime-store handkerchiefs. (A handkerchief is the forerunner to the Kleenex.) Over the years she crocheted Barbie clothes for her daughter and button and bead necklaces. In 2002 she had a four-minute spot on HGTV's show, "Sew Much More", highlighting Victorian lace crochet. Patti has taught crochet as well as knitting and weaving at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C. A supply list will be given to those who register. Registration deadline July 8.
$55 for members, $65 for nonmembers, plus a supply list will be given to those who register. Beginning.

HANDBUILT CLAY BASKET with Shirlene Copeland
Saturday, July 26, 10 am to 3 pm
Our popular hand-building teacher Shirlene Copeland is back, this time teaching students how to make a woven clay basket. The class is open to anyone — beginners to more experienced artists. Registration deadline July 22.       
$65 for members, $75 for nonmembers, plus a $15 materials fee paid at class. Beginning-Intermediate.

Pottery for the Wheel with Leo Sage
Six Saturdays: August 2, 9, 16 & 23, September 6 & 20, 1-4 p.m.
Leo Sage has been teaching pottery and other arts and craft classes for more than twenty-five years. In this class, beginning students will learn basic tooling and throwing techniques and get introduced to glazing. More advanced students will get help from one of the experts. Good for beginners or intermediate students. Registration deadline is July 30.
$120 for members, $130 for nonmembers plus $30 for materials (to be paid to Pottery Dept. at beginning of class). Beginning-Intermediate

TATTING FOR BEGINNERS with Dianna Lewis
Two Saturdays: August 2 and 9, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
In this two-session class, students will be introduced to the beautiful art of tatting by Dianna Lewis, who has been teaching and demonstrating tatting for many years. Some folks may have seen her demonstrating at the Museum of Appalachia’s Fall Homecoming. It is very important that students have patience, nimble fingers and good coordination for this class! Registration deadline July 29.
$70 members, $80 nonmembers, plus a supply list will be given to students who register. Beginning

BEGINNING BASKETMAKING (MARKET BASKET), with Sheri Burns
Friday, August 15, 10 am to 2 pm
In this class, students will learn to make a large market basket (10x12x10”) with a D handle covered with braided cane. Great for carrying home your goodies from the Farmers’ Market. Sheri Burns has been making baskets and teaching others to do the same for many years and has been known to bring chocolate to her students! Participants should bring a lunch. Registration deadline August 12.
$45 for members, $55 for nonmembers, plus about $10 for materials paid to teacher at class. Beginning.

SEAT HANDCANING with Betty Newman
Saturday-Sunday, August 16-17, 1-5 pm each day
In this two-day class, students will be introduced to the art of handcaning and will take home a woven footstool at the end of the class. Betty Newman has been an artist and craftsperson for all of her adult life. She has taught everything from decoupage to macramé, and now teaches caning and writes and speaks on the subject. She, with her husband Joe’s support, opened Newman Valley Studio in Kodak, Tenn., in 1990 to provide top quality craftsmanship through creative custom framing, chair caning and wicker repair. (See her web site at www.newmanvalley.com.) Registration deadline August 13.
$75 members, $85 nonmembers, plus a $50 materials fee paid to teacher at class. Beginning

EXPLORING MACHINE QUILTING with Loretta Painter
Friday, September 5, 9:30-3:00 (Machine set up 9:30-10:00; class starts at 10:00)
This will be a hands-on class taught by award-winning quilter Loretta Painter. It is open to beginners familiar with their sewing machine, as well as those wanting to discover new techniques. Students will discuss marking tools, different kinds of battings, needles, and threads, as well as work on a project. If anyone has a completed quilt top and would like ideas on how to quilt it, they may bring it, but this is not necessary. A supply list will be given to students, and students must bring a sewing machine (including walking foot and darning or free motion foot) with which they are familiar. Students should also bring a lunch. Registration deadline September 5.
$50 members, $60 nonmembers, plus a supply list will be given to those who register. Beginning-Intermediate

GLASS FUSING WORKSHOP, with Kathy King
Saturday, August 23, 10:30 am to 3:00 pm
During this one-day workshop, students will learn the basics of glass fusing and make pendants using dichroic glass. Students will learn how to cut the glass, and stack and glue their pieces. Information on the process of glass fusing will be discussed. The pendants will be fired after the class and work will be mailed to the students. The materials fee includes enough glass for up to four pendants. Please bring a lunch. Registration deadline August 19.
$50 for members, $60 for nonmembers, plus $40 for materials paid to teacher at class. Beginning.

Intermediate SEAT HANDCANING with Betty Newman
Saturday-Sunday, September 13-14, 1-5 pm each day
Students who have already been introduced to seat handcaning can take the next step in this class by working on a chair rather than a stool. Betty Newman has been an artist and craftsperson for all of her adult life. She has taught everything from decoupage to macramé, and now teaches caning and writes and speaks on the subject. She opened Newman Valley Studio in Kodak, Tenn., in 1990 to provide top quality craftsmanship through creative custom framing, chair caning and wicker repair. (See her web site at www.newmanvalley.com.) If students bring their own chair, they must check with Betty about the type of chair. Registration deadline September 9.
$75 members, $85 nonmembers, plus a $50 materials fee for students who bring a chair or a $100 materials fee for students who want to purchase a chair, paid to teacher at class. Intermediate

COMBINING WHEEL and SLab FORMS with Shadow May
Saturday, September 13, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, September 14, 1-5 p.m.
Potter Shadow May of Chattanooga made such an impression at the workshop he held at the Center earlier this year, we’ve invited him back for another one, this time focusing on combining wheel-thrown forms with slab forms – or “personality pots.” Shadow will show how to make a slab of clay by hand and combine it with a thrown piece. Shadow says intermediate to advanced wheel-throwing and/or handbuilding experience will be a plus, but beginners are welcome too. Students should bring a piece of plywood or sheetrock about 6- or 8-inches by 2-feet for slab work and a lunch on Saturday. Registration deadline is September 9.
$90 members, $100 nonmembers, plus a $15 materials fee paid to the Pottery Studio the first day of class. All Levels.

INTRODUCTION TO POLYMER CLAY, with Marilyn Davenport
Saturday, September 27, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
In this class students will learn the basics of the fun and popular medium of polymer clay and be able to take home a polymer clay bracelet or pendant. Students will discover caning, including canes called jelly roll, bulls eye, stripes and checks, Skinner blend and flower cane. They will also learn conditioning, mixing color, reducing and slicing canes, and baking, sanding and finishing their clay creations. Marilyn Davenport of Sevierville has been a polymer clay artist for 14 years and has taught workshops and classes at Arrowmont and JoAnn’s. Her web site is www.bitsofclay.com. Registration deadline September 23.
$35 for members, $45 for nonmembers, plus a materials list will be given to those who register for the class. Beginning.

BEGINNING HANDBUILDING, with Sal Smith
Five Saturday afternoons: September 27, October 4, 11, 18 and 25, 1-3:30 pm
Students will learn the three basic techniques for creating in clay by handbuilding: the use of clay slabs, coils, and modeling, and will include glazing and firing. This class could be a valuable experience in learning the creative possibilities of clay prior to any future clay work on the wheel. Sal Smith taught high school art in Knox County for many years and since retirement has concentrated her art activities to teaching pottery, working in her own studio, and taking advanced workshops. Registration deadline September 23.
$90 for members, $100 for nonmembers, plus a studio fee of $30 paid to the Pottery Studio first day of class. Beginning.

 

ONGOING CLASSES

WEAVING
with Carol Pritcher

Tuesdays, 10 am to 2 pm (six classes)  
For anyone interested in gaining knowledge of the loom and beginning weaving. Classes can be scheduled on an individual basis by calling Carol on Tuesdays at 494-9854.                     
$90 members  ($100 non-members) plus a small materials fee. Beginning-Intermediate.

HAND-SEWING DAY
with the Quilting Department

Wednesdays, 10 am to 2 pm
Bring your hand-sewing project or help out with the group quilting project with a wonderful group of ladies which meets each Wednesday to quilt, laugh, and enjoy lunch together. No need to call ahead; just bring yourlunch.
No Cost.

BRAIDED RUG CLASS
with Dot Fraser

Second Monday of each month, 6 to 9 pm
Learn to make a beautiful, colorful rug from your scrap material. Ideas for a kitchen, bathroom, or hallway. This class meets during regular “Ruggers” monthly sessions.             
$35 members ($45 non-members), no charge for repeating the class. Beginning

To register for a class, stop by the Appalachian Arts Craft Center at 2716 Andersonville Highway, Norris, TN, or call 865-494-9854 or email appalachianarts@bellsouth.net. Please note that your registration is not complete until you have paid for the class (see class policies below).

-----------------------------------------------

CLASS POLICIES:

1. Anyone signing up for a class must pay for the class to be considered registered.

2. People signing up for a class should not pay the materials fee at the time of registration (unless it is included in the fee). Materials fees are generally paid to the teacher or studio on the first day of class.

3. Each class has a minimum and a maximum number of students. If the minimum number of students is not reached by the registration deadline, the class may be canceled and all fees refunded. If a student must cancel after paying, a refund will be given if it is two weeks (14 calendar days) or more before the class; otherwise we cannot give a refund. This is necessary due to the amount of work involved with class registration, set up, and publicity and fairness to others in the class.

4. If classes are held over the lunch hour, students should bring a lunch with them.

5. If Anderson County schools are closed due to bad weather, classes will not be held. If it is a weekend, the decision to cancel is up to the teacher. In that case, please call the Center at 494-9854