​On Sunday, August 19 from 1:00 to 3:30 pm, local jewelry artist Kim Previte will lead a workshop in making wire-wrapped jewelry at the Artisan Depot gallery in Cowan. Participants will learn how to make earrings and a ring using copper wire. The fee for the workshop is $20 plus a $8 materials fee for tools and wire. Participants may keep their tools, and their work will be on display at the gallery through September 9. The workshop is geared for beginners, but experienced jewelry-makers are also welcome. Click here to register.

Originally from Ohio, Kim Previte lives in Estill Springs. She is a member of the Franklin County Arts Guild and her work is for sale at the Artisan Depot. ​​

​The Artisan Depot is the gallery of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street East in Cowan, Tennessee. It is open each week from noon to 5:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Click here for more information, like our Facebook page, or contact Diana Lamb at 931-308-4130.​​​​

​The Franklin County Arts Guild has announced the appointment of a new coordinator for its gallery, The Artisan Depot in Cowan. Pippa Browne, a local artist, will be the Gallery Coordinator for 2018/19. A native of Zimbabwe, Pippa lives in Sewanee and has been a member of the Franklin County Arts Guild for three years. Previously, she was Scheduler with Valley Art Gallery in Salinas, CA.

"I am taking on this position with a fair deal of trepidation," said Pippa. "The bar has been set high for this role but i know that under the guidance of Margie Gallagher, who previously held this post, and with the support of the members of the FCAG and Artisan Depot, we will continue to see the gallery achieve more than its mission."

Pippa continued, "I would like to have the community members of Franklin County and beyond be aware of the Artisan Depot: aware of it as a place where the work of active artists can be viewed, and a place where they can be part of an artist community by taking part in community shows as well as attending workshops."

The role of Gallery Coordinator, a volunteer position, is to ensure the smooth operation of the gallery. Among the tasks overseen by the Gallery Coordinator are: budgeting, accounting, filing/reporting, event coordination, show scheduling, jurying of artists, setting of commissions, and working with building management. 

Pippa graduated in Fine Art and Psychology from the University of Natal, South Africa and she has been involved with the arts as a teacher, illustrator, writer and exhibiting fine artist for over 30 years. Her fine art has been selected for regional exhibitions in the United Kingdowm and for National Exhibitions in Zimbabwe. Pippa’s illustrations were selected for three consecutive years to be part of the 'BIB' in Bratislavia, Slovakia as well as other international exhibitions. In 1995 her first book, 'African Animals ABC' was selected as one of Bookchat Magazines books of the year in South Africa.

The previous Gallery Coordinator, Margie Gallagher, held the role for over two years. About Pippa, she says "In addition to being an outstanding artist. Pippa has lots of experience with artist-operated galleries in a variety of settings. So she brings practical experience and new ideas to the position."

​The Artisan Depot is the gallery of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street East in Cowan, Tennessee. It is open each week from noon to 5:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Click here for more information, like our Facebook page, or contact Diana Lamb at 931-308-4130.​​​​

The recent two-session workshop led by Cathy Norrell, "Clay Leaf Faces," inspired her students to create work that is evocative, whimsical, and, for some, well outside their comfort zones. 

Mosaicist Carol VandenBosch said of the workshop, "Taking this clay class was the best decision ever! Cathy is an exceptional teacher and a creative guide, working alongside every student. One-on-one assistance and floating the classroom provides instant problem-solving and encouragement. Cathy is so personable and wants her students to succeed."

Said Patricia Bishop, "You know there is just something soothing and healing about getting your hands in a lump of clay and watching it come to life. What a thrill! Cathy is such a fun, creative person; I love her classes and I look forward to the next one."

​"I had a wonderful time in the Clay Leaf Faces workshop," said Diana Lamb. "A great group of people, each with a different vision, and all the work turned out perfectly. Larger faces and smaller faces were so much fun to do."

Kim Phillips, who is a paper artist, said of the class, "In addition to having found a great teacher, working in media I am not used to is very stretching creatively. It makes me want to do more 3D work and to mix media."

The next workshop sponsored by the Franklin County Arts Guild is Pastels with Justyna Kostkowska. Click here for registration information. If you would be interested in taking, or leading, an art workshop, please email the Workshop Coordinator, Kim Phillips, at franklincoarts@gmail.com. ​

​The Artisan Depot is the gallery of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street East in Cowan, Tennessee. It is open each week from noon to 5:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Click here for more information, like our Facebook page, or contact Diana Lamb at 931-308-4130.​​​​

The Franklin County Arts Guild, as part of fulfilling its mission to promote the arts, offers workshop on a wide variety of art endeavors, from clay and stenciling to pastels and collage. If you would be interested in leading a workshop, please email us at franklincoarts@gmail.com.

Nancy Wallace, president of the Franklin County Arts Guild, and Pat Richards, press reporter for the guild, caught up with Carly-Grace Pate, the first recipient of the newly endowed Franklin County Arts Guild Scholarship Fund, on her last day of school. Her father and mother, Gary and Andie Pate, were there to thank the Guild for the gift to their daughter. They said it would be a great help to Carly-Grace as she starts on the next part of her journey into her adult life. Carly-Grace is planning to attend the University of Alabama at Huntsville to major in Arts-Photography. 

We asked Carly-Grace to tell us a little about herself and how she came to pursue art; this was her story...

"I have carried around a sketchbook since I was old enough to hold a pencil, said Carly-Grace," but it was not until I was twelve that I picked up a camera. I was a decent artist when it came to drawing and painting, but I was not passionate about it like I was with photography. I spent the majority of my teen years teaching myself the foundation of photography, for example: how to shoot in manual correctly, how to use photoshop in a natural way, what angles and perspectives are pleasing to the eye, and how colors can make people have different emotions. Even though sometimes I got frustrated when I opened up new photos, and they were not what I had expected, I never gave up because I had people behind me supporting every step."

Carly-Grace continued, "None of this would have been made possible without the love and encouragement of my family. I would especially not be where I am today without the help of my mom. Without hesitation, she would go on long road trips just so I could take a couple pictures, drive me to all my photo shoots, assist me with countless amounts of art shows, and be my number one fan (especially on Facebook). She will forever be my role model. The community as a whole has dramatically impacted this journey I have been pursuing by booking hundreds of sessions with me through the last five years as well as buying my prints at local art shows. Thank you to you all, and I am excited to see where these next four years take me.”

Carly-Grace will be entering art in the Guild's next community art show, "Miniatures," which will run from June 21 through August 12 at the Artisan Depot Gallery in Cowan. Carly-Grace and her family will be at the opening reception at the gallery on July 13 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The public is invited to the reception, especially those that support Carly-Grace and those that would like to help support others in the community that want to follow their dreams in an art education.

If you would like to know more about our scholarship fund, click here. 

Community members are invited to submit work for community shows; Guild membership is not required. Click here for more information about shows.

​Popular artist and instructor Catherine Norrell will be leading a two-session workshop in her signature clay faces technique at Artisan Depot in Cowan June 23 and 30. The workshop time is 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on both Saturdays. Participants will learn how to construct a clay face using texture and design elements. Basic clay and tool techniques will also be taught, along with various finishes to complete the faces. The workshop is geared toward beginners, but all levels are welcome.

The fee for the two-session workshop is $120 and includes all materials and kiln firing. Participants are encouraged to wear old clothing and to bring a sack lunch. For more information and to register, call Catherine at 423-242-5775 or email her at: spottedcrowstudio@gmail.com. Seating is limited; please reserve your space now.

Cathy Norrell's Spotted Crow studio is located in Chattanooga. She currently has a solo show on display at the Artisan Depot. For a full list of shows, click here.

The Artisan Depot is the gallery of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street East in Cowan, Tennessee. It is open each week from noon to 5:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Click here for more information, like our Facebook page, or contact Diana Lamb at 931-308-4130.​​​​​

A select group of art pieces by Guild member Cathy Norrell is currently on display at the Artisan Depot Gallery, with an opening reception Saturday, May 19 at 4:30 pm. The public is invited.

The theme of Norrell's show is "Duende," an evocative term from Latin countries that, in art, dance, music and poetry, represents many things: ghosts, imps, the creative fire, sadness, and more. It is an appropriate theme for Cathy's show, as her work draws up emotions in the viewer.

Widely known for her ceramics, Cathy's show at the Artisan Depot includes other media such as collage, mixed media, and three-dimensional pieces. The show will be on display through June 24.

The opening reception is a time to meet with the artist, acquire a piece or two, and also browse the offerings on display from other Guild artists. There will be hors d'oeuvres and beverages, as well as live music from Stuart Bonnington.

Cathy Norrell's Spotted Crow studio is located in Chattanooga, and she is a popular art instructor at the Artisan Depot.

Nearly 300 artworks by Franklin County students were submitted for the Spring Winchester Wriggle. Margie Gallagher, our Gallery Coordinator, and Anna Kathryn Anderson, one of our longest-standing members, helped the Wriggle committee determine the best pieces in several categories. All of the student work was on display in the Courthouse in Winchester for the Wriggle, and then the winners and honorable mentions are to be the inaugural display in the Artisan Depot in our newly Student Gallery. Please come out on May 11 and show your support for our Franklin County students. Everyone is invited.

If you're an Amazon Prime customer, you can shop for Mothers Day using AmazonSmile, and a portion of your purchase can be designated to the Franklin County Arts Guild. Continue reading below for how to use AmazonSmile. 

​On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), search for Franklin County Arts Guild; you can change your selection at any time. For more information about AmazonSmile, visit smile.amazon.com/about.

If you prefer to buy local, the Artisan Depot has a huge selection of hand-made goods that mom will love!

The Wednesday Art Group is heading to Chattanooga on Wednesday, May 23, to visit Ignis Glass Studio for a hands-on glassblowing experience. Everyone is invited ~ Guild member or not ~ and the group will depart from the Education Building of the Cowan Center for the Arts at 9:00 am, to carpool to Chattanooga. 

​Ignis Glass Studio, located in downtown Chattanooga, offers a unique opportunity for guests to try their hands at blowing glass. To make a hand-blown ornament, the cost is $43; a paperweight costs $60. Reservations are requested for groups; to reserve your spot, please email franklincoarts@gmail.com with "Road Trip" in the subject line, and let us know if  a) you can drive or  b) you'd like to ride with someone. The glass studio can only accommodate 20 people at a time, so please reserve your spot early.

After glass-blowing, group members may decide to have lunch while in Chattanooga. There will be lots of choices for interesting places to eat. 

The next community show at the Artisan Depot is "Magical Thinking." It runs from April 26 through June 17. Intake for the show is April 19 through 22, and the public is invited to an opening reception on Friday, May 4 at 5:00 pm.

Community shows sponsored by the Franklin County Arts Guild are open to anyone in the community; membership is not required to submit art for community shows. 

​For a full list of shows, click here.

Joy Snead is a self-taught artist and native of Franklin County.  She taught at Good Shepherd Catholic School for over 20 years.  When the school closed, she found herself wondering what was next.  That is when The Knowledge Nook came into the picture.  The Nook, as she likes to call it, is Joy's working art studio.  She also provides tutoring, homework help, and, of course, art classes.

Says Joy, "My own art is whimsical, and easygoing.  I like to paint with acrylics and watercolors, and I do pencil and ink drawings.  I love drawing animals, getting inspiration from the two animals that live at The Nook: Betty, a beautiful veiled chameleon and her sidekick, Wilma, an obnoxious cat."

The public is invited to a reception of "Angels and Animals" on Friday, April 13 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and refreshments will be served.

On March 24, Cathy Norrell will be leading a one-day workshop, "Basic Stenciling and Beyond," from 10:00 am to 4:00. All materials, and lunch, are provided. Participants will make several projects, including a fabric piece. Cathy, who works in her Spotted Crow Studio in Chattanooga, is a popular instructor and her art can be purchased in the gallery. 

On April 14, Kim Phillips will lead a workshop, "Zenoodling ~ Doodling is Good for You," from 1:00 to 3:30 pm. Doodling can inspire creativity in other artistic pursuits, like papercutting, mosaic, stained glass, and quilting. Participants will learn basic doodle form, work with negative space, lettering, journaling, and both planned and unplanned designs.

For more information and to register for either of these workshops, click here.

If you have an artistic skill to share with the community, consider leading a workshop at th gallery. Whether your specialty is painting, watercolor, drawing, collage/mixed media, knitting/crochet, or another medium we can accommodate in our space, please contact us about leading a workshop.

​​​The Artisan Depot is the gallery of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street East in Cowan, Tennessee. It is open each week from noon to 5:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Click here for more information, like our Facebook page, or contact Diana Lamb at 931-308-4130.​​

A big thank-you to everyone that made Arts & Ales be bigger and better than ever. You helped make our one big scholarship fundraiser a huge success.

We changed things up a little this year and, instead of having draft beer, we served from bottles and cans. One of the reasons was because of you! We had draft beer last year that people liked but couldn't find in their area because, well, it was draft. This year, no matter what we served from a bottle or can, it is available commercially. If you liked a certain beer, you can ask and most businesses will be happy to supply it for you. And, by serving packaged beer, there was no waste. That is a win, win, win. Drink craft beer, be happy. 

Just to let you know, we were responsible with all those bottles, cans and boxes. We care about our planet and want to keep it clean in our neighborhood. So, we made sure that all the cans, bottles and cardboard got recycled, even if we had to go through the trash to do it. Thank you, Margie Galligher, Mark Ledbetter and Mackie Priest; you went above and beyond the call of duty separating all those bottles and cans.

According to a report from the EPA, in 2013, Americans produced 15.1 million tons of textile waste and around 85% of that ended up in landfills. Just one single person contributes roughly 70 pounds of clothing and other textiles to the landfill per year, the equivalent of 200 men’s T-shirts. But out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind. Just because they are now in the ground doesn’t mean they aren’t actively visible in terms of methane green house emissions and other gases that contaminate ground and surface water for humans and wildlife alike, through the dyes and chemicals of fabrics and other components of clothing and shoes that can leach into the soil. These are textiles that, with a little bit of thought on the part of the consumer, could be recycled or repurposed, lessening the burden financially on cities and counties that are in a constant dilemma as to where and how to dispose of these items.
 
But what does this have to do with an art show? The current art exhibit at the Artisan Depot Gallery in Cowan, TN is called "Wraps, Jewelry & Wearable Art" and includes art bags, original scarves, fun and beautiful hats, funky wire-wrapped jewelry, and handmade baby clothing and blankets. Many of these items include components of recycled materials such as fabrics, clothing, beads, copper wire and other materials to create unique wearables or wall art. The artists that work with recycled materials make a conscious effort to reduce waste in landfills and to give new life to materials that ordinarily might be discarded.
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Five artists are participating in this group show, including Pat Richards Bishop, wearables and jewelry; Kim Previte, copper wire wrapped jewelry; Frances Perea, wearables and wall hangings; Joyce Adams, hand-knit scarves, Pat Underwood, crocheted baby clothes and blankets.

The show opened February 22 and continues through March 31 at the Artisan Depot Gallery in Cowan. The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday, February 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

​​The Artisan Depot is the gallery of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street East in Cowan, Tennessee. It is open each week from noon to 5:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Click here for more information, like our Facebook page, or contact Diana Lamb at 931-308-4130.