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Craft Center to host a juried show group exhibition
Tennessee Tech University’s School of Art, Craft, and Design juried show will be on
display in Dogwood Gallery at Tech’s Appalachian Center for Craft through August 3.
The annual juried show showcases recent works created by the Bachelor of Fine Arts students of Tech. The show has been going on for over 10 years, according to Rebecca Dilldine, ACC gallery operations coordinator. The show alternates each year between the ACC and the Joan Derryberry Gallery on Tech’s main campus, although this is the first show since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year the students participating in the show can receive awards based on merit. The Best of Show will receive a $1000 award, the Woodsmoor Excellence in Craft a $1,000 award, and two Juror’s Choice Merit Awards will receive $250 each.
The ACC is a rare element of the School of Art, Craft & Design in that it is a satellite campus dedicated to promoting excellence in American craft with concentrations in wood, clay, glass, metal and fiber. Students gain knowledge in both tradition and innovation in professional studio craft as the ACC cultivates access to the highest quality craft education, craft artists, craftworks and events in a community arts setting.
The juror is selected by ACC Director Kim Winkle, and is usually someone within the craft community.
This year’s juror is Nick DeFord, an artist, educator and arts administrator who resides in Knoxville. He received his MFA from Arizona State University and an MS and BFA from the University of Tennessee.
DeFord regularly exhibits his fiber and mixed media work, with past exhibitions at the Bascom Center for Visual Arts, The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, the Knoxville Museum of Art and East Tennessee State University. His artwork and writing have been published in Surface Design Journal, Elephant Magazine, Hayden Ferry Review, and Willow Springs.
He is currently the program director at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, as well as a board member for the National Basketry Organization. He frequently teaches fiber workshops, with past workshops at the University of Louisville, East Carolina University, Arrowmont, and Penland School of Craft.
In the fall of 2018, he was a resident at the Rauschenberg Residency in Captiva, Florida, as well as a juror/reviewer for the Ohio Arts Council. Most recently, he was the juror for the American Tapestry Biennial 13.
“The juror is different every year,” Dilldine said. “We haven't had a juror from Arrowmont in several years.”
The Dogwood Gallery hours are Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 pm, Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
The ACC is located at 1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville, Tennessee.
