Workshops
Welcome to the workshops at the Appalachian Center for Craft
The Appalachian Center for Craft offers hands-on workshops on our campus nestled in the woods on Center Hill Lake in Smithville, Tennessee. Participants may find workshops for a variety of skill levels in blacksmithing, clay, fibers, glass, metals and wood. Workshops are accessible to those who want to learn an entirely new skill as well as those who want to refine their existing skills. Artists from across the country and our own campus lead workshops in our professionally equipped studios throughout the year.
Discounts are available to residents of Dekalb, Putnam, Smith and White counties and current Tennessee Tech students, faculty and staff. For more information, click the “discounts” drop down menu below.
Workshop registration is currently unavailable due to office closures for winter break, but we’re excited to share that the Early Bird Discount—20% off workshops—has been extended through January 15, 2025! Our online marketplace will reopen on January 2, 2025. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to helping you register for a workshop after the break
Monday Night Pottery with Darby Lewis
Learn the art of making pottery on the wheel or strengthen your wheel-throwing techniques! This 6-week course will focus on fundamental pottery techniques, from preparing your clay to glazing and decorating. We’ll create a variety of functional wares on the wheel, including cups, mugs, bowls and vases. Enrollment includes 50 lbs of clay. Additional clay is available for purchase. This workshop meets Monday evenings from 6-8pm from February 3 to March 10, 2025.
$330
6-8pm; Feb. 3; Feb. 10; Feb 17; Feb 24; March 3; March 10, 2025
Darby Lewis is currently the Clay Artist in Residence at the Appalachian Center for Craft (2024-2025). After receiving their BFA in Clay from Tennessee Tech University in 2020, they were the adjunct instructor for Cumberland University’s clay program before going on to their current residency.
Intro to Chainmaking with Talia Tax
This introductory class is a great way to learn how to solder by making chains! We
will cover how to make jump rings, how to set up and solder most effectively, and
several methods of connecting rings to make a chain. Students will make several copper
chain samples and at least one silver chain to take home.
$180
February 8, 2025; 10am - 5pm
Talia Tax is an artist from Arizona currently residing at the Appalachian Center for Craft. They collect techniques and ways of making to create sculptural objects that pick at the threads of contemporary American society and gender norms. Using metal and found objects, Talia examines the concepts of safety and authenticity through a queer lens.
Harvest Mouse with Gerry Burklow
In this class we will explore several basic needle felting techniques to build a life
sized mouse. We will build an armature and learn how to felt small fingers and toes,
build forms with wool, work with glass eyes and learn about different types of wool
fiber. You will leave with your own finished mouse and a myriad of ideas to build
your skills. Open to all levels.
$165
February 8, 2025; 10am - 5pm
Gerry Burklow is an award winning retired hospice nurse who worked in a world a stark reality and pain. As part of her self-care practice she discovered the art of needle felting. Completely self taught, you can find her most days in her studio- a land where cheeky squirrels serve tea to chipmunks and polar bears sail ships. “The art I make comes from a wonderful childhood and memories of a simpler time- and who doesn’t love an owl in a big hat?”
Blacksmithing Basics with Marcus Johnson
Whether you’re new to the forge or hoping to brush up on the basics, this workshop is for you. Participants will learn to operate a coal forge, including temperature management and basic forging techniques, as well as some basic decorative elements. Students will start off making simple wall hooks, and then will have the option to make spoons and forks. No prior blacksmithing experience necessary.
$170 UNAVAILABLE
February 8, 2025; 10am - 5pm
Marcus Johnson is a bladesmith and metalworker based in Middle Tennessee, specializing in kitchen cutlery. A graduate of TTU’s Appalachian Center for Craft, he has been a participant in several regional craft fairs, as well as fairs in the New York City area, where he was born and raised. His knives have won awards ranging from Honorable Mention, to Best in Show.
Linocut 101 with Sarah Bogdal
If you’ve ever been curious about printmaking, this workshop is the perfect way to dive in! Linocut printing is a technique that creates printed images from carving a block of linoleum. Students will learn different ways to use carving tools to create line, texture, shading and more. After designing and carving our blocks, we will learn how to print with both a press and by hand, using a printing barren. Everyone will leave with their own carved block, several prints and the know-how to make linocuts at home. No experience needed.
$165
February 8, 2025; 10am - 5pm
Sarah is a printmaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. She graduated with a BFA from Watkins College of Art in 2018, and has been included in exhibitions in 14 states since the completion of her education. In 2022, Sarah was awarded the Les Christensen Excellence in Art Award for The Warren by the Bradbury Art Museum. Sarah has also participated in several art festivals and makers markets across the Southeast. Sarah’s goal is for viewers to enjoy the print in its totality, but also to delight in each mark, squiggle, line, and curve as much as she does.
Summer 2025 workshops will be announced soon!
Stay informed by joining our monthly mailing list.
- » How to Register
To reserve your seat, register online via our Workshop Marketplace and pay the workshop tuition fee. If you need assistance, we are happy to help you register via phone. Call our office at 931-372-3051 M-F, 8:30am - 4:30pm
- » Discounts
We offer 25% discounts on workshop tuition for Tennessee Tech University students, faculty and staff AND all residents of Dekalb, Putnam, Smith and White counties. Use the code WINGSUP25 when prompted to enter a promotional code at checkout.
Discounts must be applied to your purchase when registering. The Craft Center cannot make refunds after registration for missed discounts.
- » Daily Schedules for Weeklong, Weekend and Daylong Workshops
- » Room and Board for Summer Workshops
Workshop participants are able to purchase Room and Board as a package including lodging and meals. Please note that we recommend registering for Room and Board at least three weeks before the workshop start date. We cannot guarantee Room and Board to participants during check-in unless they have registered for it at least 2 weeks in advance.
Weekend Room and Board
Room & Board: $270. Board for 2 nights, 6 meals, Friday evening - Sunday afternoon.
Meals Only: $150 for 6 meals, Friday evening - Sunday afternoon.Includes lodging for Friday and Saturday nights and 6 meals. Meals include Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Sunday breakfast and lunch. Check in is between noon and 2:30pm on Friday. Check out is by 2pm on Sunday.
Weeklong Room and Board
Room and Board: $675. Board for 5 nights, 15 meals, Sunday evening - Friday afternoon.
Meals Only: $375 for 15 meals, Sunday evening - Friday afternoon.
Includes lodging for Sunday through Thursday nights and 15 meals. Meals include Sunday dinner, Monday-Thursday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Friday breakfast and lunch. Check in is between noon and 2:30 pm on Sunday. Check out is by 2pm on Friday.Daylong Lunch
$25
Includes 1 lunch on saturday.All meals are catered by Chartwells.
Each room is air-conditioned and contains two single beds and a restroom with a shower. The common space contains a refrigerator, coffee-maker, and complimentary coffee pods. We provide participants with bar soap and linens including a pillow, blanket, sheets, and towels.
Workshop participants staying off campus may purchase a meal plan for their workshop by selecting “add meals only” from the Room and Board listing.
- » Material Fees
Material fees will be charged to all workshop participants based on materials used in each workshop, in addition to any supplies your instructor asks you to bring. Materials fees are collected on the last day of the workshop. The chart below contains an estimate for each studio’s materials fees. Please note that it is possible for fees to be less or greater than the amount indicated on the workshop listing and in the estimated range below.
Fibers - $50-$150
Wood - $50-$200
Clay - $35-$150
Metals -$35-$150
Blacksmithing - $35-$150
Glass - $50-$200 - » Workshop Policies
- Refunds and transfers are available up to 30 days prior to the first day of the workshop, minus the $75 processing fee. No refunds will be available after this date.
- If a workshop is cancelled due to low enrollment, registered participants will receive full refunds or may transfer into another workshop. Notice will be given no later than 2 weeks prior to the start of the workshop.
- Participants are responsible for bringing items on a workshop material list and paying for material fees, which are not included in the workshop tuition. A list of materials to bring and an estimated material fee is included in the confirmation email you receive prior to online registration. If you have not received this information, please contact craftcenter@tntech.edu
- All workshop participants must be 18 or older.
- Tennessee Tech does not condone and will not tolerate discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, veteran status, and any other basis protected by federal and state civil rights law. Tennessee Tech complies with Title IX and prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities, admissions or employment.
- Individuals may be dismissed without refund from campus for hazardous, disruptive, aggressive or intimidating behavior. We strive to maintain a friendly, inspiring, safe atmosphere on our campus for maximum creativity!
- The health and safety of students, faculty and staff is important to us. We encourage you to review Tennessee Tech University’s Covid-19 Guidelines -- click here to view.
Questions? Contact the Craft Center at craftcenter@tntech.edu.
