Maker Meet Ups & Member MeetingsThird Thursday of every month from 6:30 to 8pm CST
Please join us at our next member meeting (also known as Maker Meet-ups)! These are typically held on the third Thursday of every month from 6:30 to 8pm CST. Free and open to the public Our meetings are designed to provide professional development opportunities for our members, along with opportunities to network and build community around the creative process. Our meet-ups are free and open to the public. Check the schedule below for additional details and contact us if you have any questions! |
Craft Fair Essentials: June Virtual Maker Meet-Up Thursday, June 17 at 6:30 pm CST Register for Zoom or Watch on Facebook Live via the TNCraftMidstate page Join us for a Fireside Chat featuring Audry Deal-McEver - Clay Artist; and Melissa Oesch - Owner, Re-Imagined by Luna; and Julia Canada Wilburn - Tennessee Craft Director of Communications & Artist Relations as they discuss the ins and out of Craft Fairs. With decades of experience at fairs, our speakers will cover topics such as getting started; nuts and bolts of doing a show; sales; and craft fair career considerations. Just in time for the Fall Craft Fair deadline on July 15! Register Today! Speakers: Audry Deal-McEver Audry Deal-McEver is a full-time clay artist based out of Nashville, TN. In addition to earning a degree in Ceramic Studio Arts from Ohio University, Audry's education also includes studies at Burg Giebichenstein School of Art and Design (Halle, Germany), and short-term residencies at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Red Lodge Clay Center, Hot Springs National Park, and the University of Alaska. She has had work in over 50 solo and group exhibits across the US including venues as diverse as the American Museum of Ceramic Art, the Customs House Museum, the Disjecta Contemporary Arts Center (as part of the 2017 NCECA Annual Exhibit), the Nashville International Airport, and various nature centers/botanical conservatories. She has also received numerous grants including an Individual Artist Fellowship from the Tennessee Arts Commission and an Individual Artist Career Opportunity grant from South Arts. Her studio practice has been featured in Ceramics Monthly, Nashville Public Television’s Tennessee Crossroads, and the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler podcast. Audry currently teaches at the Belmont University Watkins College of Art Community Education Program, at workshop centers across the country, and privately out of her home studio. When she’s not teaching or making, Audry enjoys restoring historic homes with her husband, gardening, and relaxing with her three cats. https://audrydealmcever.com/ ; https://www.instagram.com/audrydealmcever/ ; https://www.facebook.com/AudryDealMcEverArt/ Melissa Oesch Melissa Oesch is an eco-friendly Kentucky artist and the owner/designer of Re-Imagined by Luna, which offers handcrafted, one-of-a-kind journals, sketchbooks and other unique creations from upcycled materials. She grew up on a wooded farm in Eastern Kentucky, spending half of her time playing among the trees and the other half devouring books and filling up journals. She has loved writing in beautiful books since she was young and that grew steadily along with her love for nature, ancient spirituality, and an awareness that writing and creativity can be healing. This is what initially prompted her discovery of bookbinding. She was taught Coptic binding by another student while getting her B.A. in English, and her adventure in bookmaking began. She has been creating books since 2005 and deeply appreciates the meditative quality it offers. She has a love for textures and beautiful and whimsical creations while making very functional and durable pieces. She enjoys the challenge of re-imagining her materials by incorporating reclaimed and recycled textiles. Because she creates with repurposed materials, each piece is unique. She is a member of KY Crafted and of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen. www.instagram.com/reimaginedbylune ; www.facebook.com/reimaginedbyluna ; www.reimaginedonline.com. Julia Canada Wilburn Julia Canada Wilburn is the Director of Communications & Artist Relations for Tennessee Craft, responsible for communicating Tennessee Craft’s mission and purpose to a wide variety of audiences through various channels, and for overseeing professional development programming opportunities available to the organization’s direct constituents. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Lambuth University (Jackson, TN) and a Master of Arts in English from Belmont University (Nashville). A communications professional for 15 years and recently a writing instructor for three local universities, Julia has a broad range of experience in non-profit marketing, writing, and website and social media management. She is currently the Media Specialist and Worship Committee Chair at Donelson Heights United Methodist Church, and lives in Donelson with her husband, son, and new puppy Hilde. |
Past Meetings
Virtual Maker Meet-Up April 15, 2021: The Wholesale Business, How You Can Get Your Product In Stores Now
Tatiana Johnson will be interviewing Paige A. Jack about her wholesale experience as Director of Culture & Creative at the Trenches Gallery, dealing with wholesale, buying for retail and how to what all you need to sell your products in stores.
Virtual Maker Meet-Up March 18, 2021: Ashley Seay Artist Talk and Demo
Artist talk and demo featuring woodblock printer, multimedia artist, and painter – Ashley Seay.
Virtual Maker Meet-Up February 18, 2021: Micro-Grant Recipient Joe Brown Blacksmith Video Premiere Watch Party
Joe Brown, Blacksmith shared his technique and inspiration.
Virtual Maker Meet-Up January 21, 2021: Kaitlin Savage Clay Artist Studio Tour
Clay Artist, Kaitlin Savage demo and clay studio tour.
Virtual Maker Meet-Up November 19, 2020: Art as a Business - Best Practices for Pivoting and Selling Art Online with Pepper Sims
Kamilah Sanders interviewed Pepper Sims of Pepper Palm about her success in selling and marketing her work online.
In-Person Meet-Up October 16, 2020: The Art of Craft Opening Reception at Centennial Park
A celebration of our annual member exhibit at the Centennial Art Center.
Virtual Meet-Up September 24, 2020: Connecting Art to the Community
Maker, do-er, writer, and curator Megan Kelley discussed creative ways to build community
considering the restrictions of COVID-19.
Virtual Meet-Up August 20, 2020: Stitch Craft'n Bitch
Meeting to share projects as well as feelings and ideas related to the "new normal" with COVID-19.
Virtual Meet-Up July 16, 2020: "Watch Party" of the Brentwood Library Exhibit Tour
Hosted on the Tennessee Craft Midstate Facebook Group
Cathy Cirisan gave a video tour of the exhibit and had Ryn Roberts and Amy Krimsier Sterling join her in discussing their art.
Virtual Meet-Up June 21, 2020: PIVOT--Making Transitions: Promoting Your Art Business
Hosted on the Tennessee Craft Midstate Facebook Group
Discussion with Jenn Cole (Ceramics), Ashley Mintz (Painting), and Lindsay Walker (Jewelry), moderated by Kamilah Sanders (TN Craft Midstate Co-Vice President) and Audry Deal-McEver (TN Craft Midstate President) about how to pivot one’s art business during COVID-19.
Virtual Meet-Up May 21, 2020: A Facebook Live Tour of Elephant Gallery and Studios
Hosted on the Tennessee Craft Midstate Facebook Group
Our co-vice president, Cesar Pita gave us a tour of his studio at the Elephant Gallery, talked about his creative process, and showed some of his works-in-progress as well as those of some other artists at Elephant.
Virtual Meet-Up April 16, 2020: Live from Audry Deal-McEver's Studio
Hosted on the Tennessee Craft Midstate Facebook Group
Our president, Audry Deal-McEver, gave us a tour of her home studio, talked about her creative process, and facilitated a question-and-answer session.
March 19, 2020: Let's Talk About It (Postponed due to COVID-19. Check back for the rescheduled date)
Wansoo Kim and Audry Deal-McEver were planning to share their insights about crafting effective artist talks and present their own.
February 20, 2020: Show us Whatcha Got
Members were invited to bring some finished pieces or works in progress and talk about their work and process.
January 16, 2020: Makers' Health and Self Care
Featured Sadie Hart who helped us to practice some physical and mental exercises.
November 21, 2019: Tour of "Hearts of Our People: Native American Artists" at the Frist Museum of Art
We enjoyed a self-guided tour of the exhibit, which included over 115 objects varying from textiles, pottery, and sculpture to installation art.
October 17, 2019: Potluck Dinner and Surplus Supplies Swap
Potluck dinner and opportunity to swap extra studio tools/materials with other TN Craft members.
September 19, 2019: A Discussion About Grants With Krishna Adams From the Tennessee Arts Commission
A discussion of the grants The Tennessee Arts Commission offers and tips about the application process.
August 16, 2019: Member Meet-up at the Art of Craft Exhibit
A celebration of the member exhibit at the Centennial Art Center.
June 20, 2019: Discussion Panel about Artist / Gallery Relationships
Featured the Copper Fox Gallery and Jenn Cole (curator and artist).
March 21, 2019: Tour of Watkins College of Art, Design, and Film
Field Trip to Watkins College of Art, Design and Film with a tour led by the Community Education Program.
February 21, 2019: Artwork Show and Tell with a Discussion about Social Media
Participants were also invited to have their artwork photographed for a “Members Spotlight” campaign.
January 17, 2018: So you got in! Now what?
Discussion of how to prepare for a craft fair with Olivier and Nathalie Boutard (leather), Vickie Vipperman (textiles), and Audry Deal-McEver (pottery).
November 15, 2018: The Application Process
With wood worker and juror Craig Nutt, and Kim Waag and Teri Alea from Tennessee Craft.
October 18, 2018: How to Document Your Work
Retired professional photographer John Lucas discussed how to create images that meet expectations of jurors.
September 20, 2018: An Introduction to Craft Fairs
Teresa Hays (textiles), Susan Thornton (jewelry), and Tim Weber (pottery) discussed the ins and outs of craft fairs.
Virtual Maker Meet-Up April 15, 2021: The Wholesale Business, How You Can Get Your Product In Stores Now
Tatiana Johnson will be interviewing Paige A. Jack about her wholesale experience as Director of Culture & Creative at the Trenches Gallery, dealing with wholesale, buying for retail and how to what all you need to sell your products in stores.
Virtual Maker Meet-Up March 18, 2021: Ashley Seay Artist Talk and Demo
Artist talk and demo featuring woodblock printer, multimedia artist, and painter – Ashley Seay.
Virtual Maker Meet-Up February 18, 2021: Micro-Grant Recipient Joe Brown Blacksmith Video Premiere Watch Party
Joe Brown, Blacksmith shared his technique and inspiration.
Virtual Maker Meet-Up January 21, 2021: Kaitlin Savage Clay Artist Studio Tour
Clay Artist, Kaitlin Savage demo and clay studio tour.
Virtual Maker Meet-Up November 19, 2020: Art as a Business - Best Practices for Pivoting and Selling Art Online with Pepper Sims
Kamilah Sanders interviewed Pepper Sims of Pepper Palm about her success in selling and marketing her work online.
In-Person Meet-Up October 16, 2020: The Art of Craft Opening Reception at Centennial Park
A celebration of our annual member exhibit at the Centennial Art Center.
Virtual Meet-Up September 24, 2020: Connecting Art to the Community
Maker, do-er, writer, and curator Megan Kelley discussed creative ways to build community
considering the restrictions of COVID-19.
Virtual Meet-Up August 20, 2020: Stitch Craft'n Bitch
Meeting to share projects as well as feelings and ideas related to the "new normal" with COVID-19.
Virtual Meet-Up July 16, 2020: "Watch Party" of the Brentwood Library Exhibit Tour
Hosted on the Tennessee Craft Midstate Facebook Group
Cathy Cirisan gave a video tour of the exhibit and had Ryn Roberts and Amy Krimsier Sterling join her in discussing their art.
Virtual Meet-Up June 21, 2020: PIVOT--Making Transitions: Promoting Your Art Business
Hosted on the Tennessee Craft Midstate Facebook Group
Discussion with Jenn Cole (Ceramics), Ashley Mintz (Painting), and Lindsay Walker (Jewelry), moderated by Kamilah Sanders (TN Craft Midstate Co-Vice President) and Audry Deal-McEver (TN Craft Midstate President) about how to pivot one’s art business during COVID-19.
Virtual Meet-Up May 21, 2020: A Facebook Live Tour of Elephant Gallery and Studios
Hosted on the Tennessee Craft Midstate Facebook Group
Our co-vice president, Cesar Pita gave us a tour of his studio at the Elephant Gallery, talked about his creative process, and showed some of his works-in-progress as well as those of some other artists at Elephant.
Virtual Meet-Up April 16, 2020: Live from Audry Deal-McEver's Studio
Hosted on the Tennessee Craft Midstate Facebook Group
Our president, Audry Deal-McEver, gave us a tour of her home studio, talked about her creative process, and facilitated a question-and-answer session.
March 19, 2020: Let's Talk About It (Postponed due to COVID-19. Check back for the rescheduled date)
Wansoo Kim and Audry Deal-McEver were planning to share their insights about crafting effective artist talks and present their own.
February 20, 2020: Show us Whatcha Got
Members were invited to bring some finished pieces or works in progress and talk about their work and process.
January 16, 2020: Makers' Health and Self Care
Featured Sadie Hart who helped us to practice some physical and mental exercises.
November 21, 2019: Tour of "Hearts of Our People: Native American Artists" at the Frist Museum of Art
We enjoyed a self-guided tour of the exhibit, which included over 115 objects varying from textiles, pottery, and sculpture to installation art.
October 17, 2019: Potluck Dinner and Surplus Supplies Swap
Potluck dinner and opportunity to swap extra studio tools/materials with other TN Craft members.
September 19, 2019: A Discussion About Grants With Krishna Adams From the Tennessee Arts Commission
A discussion of the grants The Tennessee Arts Commission offers and tips about the application process.
August 16, 2019: Member Meet-up at the Art of Craft Exhibit
A celebration of the member exhibit at the Centennial Art Center.
June 20, 2019: Discussion Panel about Artist / Gallery Relationships
Featured the Copper Fox Gallery and Jenn Cole (curator and artist).
March 21, 2019: Tour of Watkins College of Art, Design, and Film
Field Trip to Watkins College of Art, Design and Film with a tour led by the Community Education Program.
February 21, 2019: Artwork Show and Tell with a Discussion about Social Media
Participants were also invited to have their artwork photographed for a “Members Spotlight” campaign.
January 17, 2018: So you got in! Now what?
Discussion of how to prepare for a craft fair with Olivier and Nathalie Boutard (leather), Vickie Vipperman (textiles), and Audry Deal-McEver (pottery).
November 15, 2018: The Application Process
With wood worker and juror Craig Nutt, and Kim Waag and Teri Alea from Tennessee Craft.
October 18, 2018: How to Document Your Work
Retired professional photographer John Lucas discussed how to create images that meet expectations of jurors.
September 20, 2018: An Introduction to Craft Fairs
Teresa Hays (textiles), Susan Thornton (jewelry), and Tim Weber (pottery) discussed the ins and outs of craft fairs.