Jules Corriere

Jonesborough Yarn Exchange Awarded Art Grant and Pinnacle Awards

JONESBOROUGH, TN - The Jonesborough Yarn Exchange was recently awarded a grant by the Tennessee Arts Commission and received two Pinnacle awards from the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association.

The Jonesborough Yarn Exchange is a monthly, story-based old-time radio performance at the International Storytelling Center. The performance also airs on WETS 89.5 FM on the last Wednesday of each month at 8 p.m. and is streamed online. These productions celebrate the culture, history and stories of the people of Jonesborough and the Southern Appalachian Region. Now in its seventh season, the show is performed by a multi-cultural cast of local actors, storytellers and musicians, creating an audio patchwork quilt of what it means to be home in the Mountains of Tennessee.

At the beginning of June, the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange was awarded a grant of $4,250 provided by the Tennessee Arts Commission. This is the third year in a row that grant has been award to the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange Radio Show. This grant will support next year’s season.

“The Project Support Grant really helps to support programs like the Yarn Exchange Radio Show.” Said Jules Corriere, outreach program director for the McKinney Center and the director for the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange. “Without the grant, it would be hard for community-minded projects like this to remain both affordable for the community audiences and sustainable for our organization. Our overall goal of the radio show is to make arts and our community’s stories accessible to all, and this grant allows us to do just that.”

But the accolades for the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange don’t stop there. They were also noted as a top performer in the tourism industry, receiving two recognitions at the annual Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association Pinnacle Awards in May. They were awarded top entry in Best Festival or Event under $50,000 and the Advertising and Promotions Rack Card under $50,000 categories.

“When they called the radio show to receive the award for “Best Event or Festival in Northeast Tennessee,” I was really surprised and stunned,” said Corriere. “There are so many incredible events happening all year long in our region, from Bristol to Greeneville and places in-between. Receiving that honor, among all of these other fabulous programs, was so validating of the work we are doing, which is sharing our stories and creating a positive image of Northeast Tennessee, and Jonesborough in particular. We strive to do all we can to tell these stories and make Jonesborough a place people want to come and experience. When that happens, we all benefit.”

Celebrate the culture, history, and stories shared at the Yarn Exchange during their next performance June 25 at 7 p.m. at the International Storytelling Center. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased by calling 423-753-1010 or visiting Jonesborough.com/tickets.