Take the scenic drive to Tennessee Tech University’s Appalachian Center for Craft near Smithville and immerse yourself in a hands-on craft workshop this fall. The Craft Center offers evening classes starting in September as well as two weekends of workshops.
 
The evening workshops are one night a week, 6-9 p.m., for eight weeks. The Monday evening class, Sept. 14-Nov.2, is Functional Handbuilding (a beginning level ceramics class) focused on learning techniques for handbuilding vessels, plates, bowls, cups, vases, and more.
 
The Wednesday evening class, Sept. 16-Nov. 4, is Pouring Vessels (advanced skill level) – students will create pitchers, ewers and cruets on the potter’s wheel with emphasis on form and surface development.
 
“The eight-week evening workshops offered by the Craft Center really give participants an opportunity to explore the craft medium,” said Jane Roberts, promotions manager at the Craft Center. “The additional contact time with the instructor and opportunity to become familiar with the studio environment truly enhances the experience.”
 
Also offered in September are three-day weekend workshops (Friday evening through Sunday afternoon) scheduled for Sept. 11-13 and Sept. 18-20. Choose from blacksmithing (forge welding axes and tomahawks), wheel throwing in ceramics, fabric dyeing, paper marbling, stained glass, glass bead making, beginning jewelry making, and woodturning.
 
“The Craft Center offers discounts of workshop fees for TTU employees and students,” said Roberts. “There is a 50 percent discount available one month prior to the start of any workshop for TTU folks – and not just for this fall, but throughout the year.”
 
Workshop classes are available for beginners to professional artists; however, participants must be at least 18 years old to register for a workshop and advance reservations are required.
 
The Appalachian Center for Craft overlooks Center Hill Lake near Smithville and is conveniently located approximately 6 miles from Interstate 40 at Exit 273 (Smithville/McMinnville). Take Hwy 56 South and turn left immediately crossing Hurricane Bridge over Center Hill Lake.
 
For more information about the Appalachian Center for Craft’s workshop program, please call the Craft Center at 931-372-3051, e-mail craftcenter@tntech.edu or visit www.tntech.edu/craftcenter.   

--Karen Lykins
This information posted 18 August 2009