September 1–29, 2023 @ Tipton Gallery
The East Tennessee State UniversitySlocumb Galleries with Tennessee Craft and partners presents Crafting Blackness Initiative's' "Black Bodies Making Form" exhibition series and publication. Featuring Black Tennessee Craft artists since 1920, the public is invited to the opening reception Sept. 1, from 6-8 p.m. at Tipton Gallery, Johnson City, Tennessee, with artists talk and guests of honor Commissioner Aaron Murphy and Tennessee Craft President JoEl Loguidice and ETSU Provist Dr. Kimberly McCorkle.
The exhibition is co curated by Karlota Contreras-Koterbay with ETSU Advancement director and Umoja board member Karen LeBlanc Sullivan featuring influential and contemporary Black craft artists from Tennessee including historical figures like William Edmondson, Bessie Harvey, Greg Ridley and Sammie Nicely. Governor's art awardees Hattie Marshall-Duncan and Bill Capshaw are also included in the line up of this unprecedented project that will tour the rest of our state until 2027 culminating with exhibitions and publications.
The next event as part of this exhibition is the Crafting Blackness Panel Sept. 28, at 4-6 p.m. at Ball hall auditorium followed by reception at Slocumb Galleriesat 6 p.m. Prominent Black scholars including University of Memphis faculty Dr. Earnestine Jenkins, Tennessee,State University's Dr. Cynthia Gadsden, former curator at Tennessee State Museum Brigette Jones, Tennessee Craft's Bonnie Matthews and ETSU'sDr. Daryl Carter are panelists. This panel is also promoted as part of the Equity and Inclusion Symposium that week.
The exhibition also features contemporary Black artists Samuel Dunson, Gary White, Elisheba Mrozik, Elise Kendrick, Althea Murphy-Price and the Black Appalachian Highland artists including Jason Flack, Pam Faw, Javan Collie, Doniqua Joyner, Akintayo Akintobi, Shai Perry with 82-year old quilter Magdalena Story and kins; collective mural work by Orange Mound Artists of Memphis including founder LueElla Marshall, Lurlynn Franklin, Shamek Weddle, Andrew Travis. The exhibit also boasts work by contemporary master craft artists like peach pit carver Roger Smith, masking tape sculptor Willard Hill, gourd carver Jane Buis, ceramicist Jackie Schlicher with influential doll makers Aundra McCoy and Ludie Amos.
Slocumb Galleries has received generous support from artists and institutions who have lent their invaluable collections including Edmondson, the first African American artist featured at MoMA in 1930s that opened opportunities for Black folk artists. The exhibit is open for viewing Thursdays and Fridays from 5-7 p.m. until Sept.29. The Tipton Gallery is located at 126 Spring st., downtown Johnson City.
Category: Exhibits