The North Carolina Arts Council announced today that two traditional artist teams from western North Carolina have been selected for the fourth annual “In These Mountains” Appalachian Folklife Apprenticeships.
Jim McDowell (Weaverville, Buncombe County) will mentor Nicholas Garrison (Asheville, Buncombe County) in traditional methods of wheel-thrown pottery, including clay processing, glaze formulas, and different methods of kiln firing. McDowell is one of the few Black potters working in western North Carolina, and has honed his craft in honor of his four-times great aunt Evangeline, an enslaved potter in Jamaica who made face jugs reflecting the religious rituals of her ancestors. Nicholas Garrison has already spent a year learning under McDowell, and will explore both the techniques and cultural narratives expressed through his mentor’s style of pottery and revitalization of the face jug tradition. Using pottery for storytelling and as a spiritual outlet, he will explore his own cultural heritage through McDowell’s mentorship. They will conclude their work together with a public exhibition.
Nancy Mahala (Creston, Ashe County) will mentor Genal West (Zionville, Watauga County) in traditional coverlet weaving and its accompanying fiber crafts, such as spinning and processing flax and wool, creating original patterns, and dyeing fiber using native plants in the area. Mahala is a member of the Blue Ridge Fibers Guild and an experienced teacher, and has been working with West for one year. As West advances, she intends to build her own loom and will begin teaching her own students and children. She will integrate what she learns as an apprentice in her classroom teaching by building a curriculum for the local high school in Appalachian traditional arts and crafts. Throughout the apprenticeship, the pair will demonstrate at local farmers' markets and craft shows and attend gatherings of the Blue Ridge Fiber Guild. They will also demonstrate at the local high school in West’s art classes.
The Appalachian Folklife Apprenticeship grant provides financial support for a mentor artist and an apprentice artist to work together for a full year on the transmission of a traditional art form of their region, community, or cultural group.
The program is offered by the Folklife program of the North Carolina Arts Council and supported by “In These Mountains: Central Appalachian Folk Arts and Culture,” an initiative of the regional arts organization South Arts. To learn more about the Appalachian Folklife Apprenticeship grant, visit https://www.ncarts.org/opportunities/grants/grants-artists/folklife-apprenticeships.
About the North Carolina Arts Council
The North Carolina Arts Council builds on our state’s long-standing love of the arts, leading the way to a more vibrant future. The Arts Council is an economic catalyst, fueling a thriving nonprofit creative sector that generates $2.12 billion in annual direct economic activity. The Arts Council also sustains diverse arts expression and traditions while investing in innovative approaches to art-making. The North Carolina Arts Council has proven to be a champion for youth by cultivating tomorrow’s creative citizens through arts education. NCArts.org
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history, conserving the state's natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.
NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, three science museums, three aquariums and Jennette's Pier, 41 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the N.C. Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, and the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please visit www.ncdcr.gov.