Hickerson Woodworks
It has now been 25 years since the first Arts Studio Tour, an annual November network of Rutherford County artists and crafters who open their studios to the public and invite the community to get an up-close look at their work. The tour has expanded every year since its inception in 1993, offering a unique opportunity before the holidays for guests to shop for fine handcrafted gifts while learning how they are made.
Some of the artists who started the tour are still a part of it, said Eva Berg, owner of Everich Farm, a fiber farm with a studio on this year’s tour. In 2018, eight different studios will invite guests and will feature the works of more than 30 artists.
At Everich Farm, Berg will discuss and show how to felt fabric that can be used to make hats. Berg is known for her hats, and this location will also host other items shown by guest artists, available for purchase.
“The whole idea is to show that art of the handmade,” said Sue Allen, who has been making stoneware with her husband, Ray, for 39 years. The Allens, who own Popcorn Studio Pottery, will give a pottery demonstration and explain the whole process step by step. At this stop, guests will also learn about dyeing silks and textiles and learn how to craft from eggs—the art of eggery, which uses eggs of all kinds to create art similar to Faberge.
Turtleware Pottery will present demonstrations for spinning pottery, beading jewelry and putting stained glass stepping stones together. Guests can design their own step stones that will be put together later in the shop by Kathyrn and Richard Spry, who work with the stained glass.
The tour is free and spans across miles of beautiful countryside in Rutherford County. Local people may go where they are most interested in visiting. Most of the studios will offer snacks and refreshments, and parents are encouraged to bring their children to enjoy and learn about these trades.
The Art Studio Tour runs the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17 and 18, with studios open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit artstudiotour.org.
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2018 Art Studio Tour Participants:
Elizabeth Bray Jewelry
521 E. Main St., Murfreesboro
615-542-6780
Elizabeth Bray – Handcrafted jewelry
Guest artist Henry Phillips – Handcrafted woodworks
Joe Brown Blacksmith
3538 Cripple Creek Rd., Readyville
615-890-3805
Joe Brown – Custom forgings
Guest artists: Erin and Jonathon Belcher – Metal works
Jim Carson – Pottery
Carla Crader – Jewelry
Everich Farm
Fiber Farm
8695 Highway 269 Bell Buckle Rd., Christiana
615-895-9813
Eva Berg – Fibers
Guest artists: Kaitlyn Savage – Functional pottery
Jystyna Kostkowska – Pastels
RJ Hadle – Fibers and textiles
Hickerson Woodworks
4172 Betty Ford Rd., Murfreesboro
615-896-0919
Logan Hickerson – Handcarved Woodworks
Guest artists: Becky Dickovitch – Encaustic and textiles
Scott Weiland – Functional ceramics
Andre Churchwell – Drawings and illustrations
Popcorn Studio Pottery
2031 Nelson Ln., Murfreesboro
615-896-9167
Sue and Ray Allen – Functional stoneware
Guest artists: Daune Jordan – Eggery and watercolor painting
Jan Quarles – Dyed silk and textiles
Red Oak Pottery
2925 Spain Hill Rd., Lascassas
615-273-2147
Bill and Judy Heim – Ceramic stoneware
Guests artists: Gene Casto – Woodworks
Doug Pelren – Wood turning
Mark Jackson – Painting
Anne Rob – Handcrafted jewelry
Studio S Pottery
1426 Avon Rd., Murfreesboro
615-896-0789
Lewis and Eric Snyder – Stoneware, porcelain and raku
Guest artists: Mary Veazie – Painting
Ginny Togrye – Painting
Phyllis Razo – Watercolors
Turtleware Pottery
4004 Southridge Blvd., Murfreesboro
615-904-9850
Guest artists: Kathryn and Richard Spry – Stained glass
Catie Beth Thomas – Woven jewelry and naturally dyed textiles
Sandra Arnold – Bead woven jewelry
Jamie Labo – Jewelry
