Rebecca Smith is an interdisciplinary artist with a practice that spans scale and media. Using textiles as her viewfinder, she investigates chaos, tension and “states of becoming” (energetic line) by abstracting traditional craft and experimenting with memory holding materials. Studying at The Maryland Institute College of Art (BFA 2012) and Cranbrook Academy of Art (MFA 2020), her career has traversed industry, television, fine craft and entrepreneurship. Exhibiting nationally in galleries and craft fairs, her practice obeys, defies, conflates and layers the grid, craft process, language and syntax to consider the intricacies and complexities of the world we inhabit and explore moments of transformation, transference and intimacy. Shifting between traditional and non-traditional methodologies, she investigates the collapse and resilience of structure, endured action, allegory and mythic thinking. Smith views craft as a tool for agency, problem solving, and societal progress and commits to life as an artist, educator, student and citizen. Smith is currently the Artist-in-Residence in fibers at the Appalachian Center for Craft.
Appalachian Center for Craft
Ian Mabry
Rebecca Smith
Tate Newfield
Kevin Dotson
Lexie Moore
Sarah Davey
Artist in Residence Program
The Appalachian Center for Craft's Artist in Residence Program (AIR) allows emerging professional artists to live and work in its immersive studio environment. The AIR program is a one-year appointment, renewable for up to an additional year. Each studio (clay, fibers, glass, metals, wood, and exhibitions) has an Artist in Residence with a BFA, MFA or professional equivalent. AIRs are integral to the educational programs of the Craft Center, providing additional artistic perspectives, expertise and experiences to our students.
- Apply
The Center for Craft employs a competitive application process to fill these positions. Positions open up at different times throughout the year and are posted to the Tennessee Tech University jobs page as they become available. Applications can only be accepted through the Tennessee Tech jobs web page. Please refer to Jobs@Tntech.edu for the latest open positions. For more information, please email craftcenter@tntech.edu, call 931-372-3051, or request to be added to our email newsletter list, so that we can send you our latest monthly news.
- Functions
The Center for Craft employs a competitive application process to fill these positions. Positions open up at different times throughout the year and are posted to the Tennessee Tech University jobs page as they become available. Applications can only be accepted through the Tennessee Tech jobs web page. Please refer to Jobs@Tntech.edu for the latest open positions. For more information, please email craftcenter@tntech.edu, call 931-372-3051, or request to be added to our email newsletter list, so that we can send you our latest monthly news.
TERM OF THE RESIDENCY: One year appointment, with option to renew for one more year at the discretion of ACC faculty.
QUALIFICATIONS: An MFA degree from an accredited institution is usually preferred, but BFA degree holders and those with equivalent experience may apply.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Oversight of and general maintenance of studio supplies and equipment. The resident will work 20 hours per week. Tasks include managing studio needs, ordering materials, and ensuring smooth operation of programs. Specifics of managing the studio will be discussed with the artist in residence in advance of agreeing to a contract.
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT: Occasional teaching opportunities may be available during faculty absence, if the candidate possess an MFA degree. Resident may have the opportunity to teach workshops and academic classes, but this is not guaranteed and varies by studio concentration. The resident must produce a significant body of studio work while showing a high level of technical expertise and aesthetic merit. In consultation with the department head, expectations of the AIR’s studio work will be reviewed after arrival.
COMPENSATION: 20 hours per week. One year appointment. Residence in Craft Center housing is a required condition of studio residencies. Single occupancy bedroom with private bath (whether married or single, cooking and lounge facilities are shared with other residents), individual studio space and 24 hour studio access are provided. A small stipend annually is provided, Also, opportunities for additional employment through workshop and outreach programs may be available. Benefits include the accumulation of annual and sick leave on a prorated basis equal to the percentage of employment, and thirteen (13) pro-rated University holidays. Other benefits include pro-rated retirement, optional 401k, and educational benefits.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: All applicants must apply online at Jobs@Tntech.edu and are required to electronically upload a resume and provide contact information for three references. Official transcripts required upon hire. Tennessee Tech University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex, disability, age (40 and over), status as a protected veteran, genetic information or any other category protected by federal or state law. Inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies should be directed to equity@tntech.edu.
Current Residents
CLAY 
Ian Mabry, imabry@tntech.edu
Ian Mabry is a ceramic artist whose sculptural work has ranged from figurative to non-objective. He received his BFA in 2009 from the Appalachian Center for Craft and his MFA from the University of North Dakota in 2015. Ian served for two years as Assistant Professor of Art and Gallery Director at Dickinson State University in North Dakota. He returns to the Appalachian Center for Craft as the artist-in-residence in clay and is exploring functional pottery along with sculptural forms.
FIBERS 
Rebecca Smith, rdsmith@tntech.edu
GLASS 
Tate Newfield, tnewfield@tntech.edu
Tate Newfield assembles blown glass to create light and amorphic shapes that are simple and coherent. After assembly, each sculpture is painted and becomes a model of movement and flow that denote rhythmic patterns and spatial awareness. In 2018, Tate received his BFA in Glass from Rochester Institute of Technology and was awarded First Place at the Glass Art Society (GAS) Student Exhibition in Murano, Italy. In 2019, he received Top Three at the GAS Members Exhibition in St. Petersburg, Florida. Tate hopes that those who have feelings or thoughts that are difficult to comprehend can utilize his sculptures to confirm their imagination.
METALS 
Kevin Dotson, kedotson@tntech.edu
Kevin Dotson received his MFA from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale (2020) with a focus in blacksmithing and received his BFA from the University of Florida (2016) with a focus in Sculpture. While working for various shipyards and machine shops all around Florida, Kevin's fascination for metal peaked. Blacksmithing and metalsmithing opened up a new realm of possibilities for material manipulation. Kevin is currently the artist-in-residence in metals at Appalachian Center for Craft.
WOOD 
Lexie Moore, lkmoore@tntech.edu
Lexie Moore is a contemporary artist, woodworker, and furniture maker from Chattanooga, TN. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in wood from the Appalachian Center for Craft at Tennessee Tech University. She is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art from the Maine College of Art as a low residency student. Lexie’s work is informed by traditional craft practices and displays an intricate investigation of dichotomies of form, color, pattern, texture, scale, and function. Her work has been featured in group and solo exhibitions across the country. Lexie is currently the wood artist-in-residence at the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, Tennessee.
EXHIBITIONS 
Sarah Davey, sdavey@tntech.edu
Sarah Davey is a contemporary ceramic figure sculptor from Lancaster, PA. She earned her BFA from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2005 and her MFA, in Ceramics from the School of Art and Art History at the University of Florida in 2019. Sarah’s work explores personal mythology within her ceramic figures to discuss our connection to the environment and physical manifestations of chaotic, internalized spaces. Black and white surfaces layered with acrid greens create a dark and surreal, moody current that runs through her narrative work. Sarah has presented her work in group and solo shows nationally and internationally, NCECA, art fairs, Urban Nation Contemporary Museum and Paradigm Gallery + Studio in Philadelphia. Sarah is presently the exhibition’s artist in residence at the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, Tennessee.
