March 8, 2025 | 1 pm @ Slocumb Galleries
The East Tennessee State UniversitySlocumb Galleries in partnership with Crafting Blackness Initiative, Tennessee Craft and the Langston Centrepresent "Rug Tufting Demo by Black Craft Master Jerry Machen" Saturday,March 8, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Langston Centre. Sponsored by the Arts Build Communities grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Machen of Kingsport, Tennessee, has created innovative, pictorial textile wall hangings and custom carpets for over 40 years. The owner and operator of Agape Carpet and Rug Specialists, Machen is one of the foremost rug restorers in the southern region and a Tennessee Arts Commission Folklife Artist. Interested in art since he was a youth, he devised ways to take his carpet’s byproducts to create inspired folk art works. Cornelia Briscoe has apprenticed to Machen and is offering opportunities for youth to learn this technique.
After the demo, Black master craft artist Machen and his apprentice Cornelia Briscoe conduct a free workshop for youth and artists from March 17-20 at ETSU Art & Design Fibers Studio. Limited spots for the workshop are available, email Slocumb Galleries Community Engagement Facilitator Lyn Govette atgovette@etsu.eduto reserve a spot. All events are open to the public free of charge.
Category: Workshop