Traditional Arts Demonstrators
The Campbell Culture Coalition (producers of the Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival) is proud to be the first-ever partner with the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Tennessee Folklife Program to highlight the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program (TAAP)!
Six Demonstrator Teams will demonstrate skills relevant to the history, culture, and folklife in Campbell County of which Howard ``Louie Bluie" Armstrong is an embodiment.
Thank you to the Tennessee Arts Commission and Tennessee Folklife Program for their funding and support of this program.
Traditional Artists at the 2023 Festival
There will be 6 groups demonstrating at the festival!
Jeanette Underwood (Master) and Charlotte Underwood (Apprentice) are a mother-daughter team focusing on rare Appalachian agricultural foodways. Including seed saving, planting by the signs, foraging, food preserving by canning and drying, cooking and baking, recipe saving, and preparing medicinal tonics. Read and Learn More
Tony Branam and Joseph Hensley are fiddle-luthier apprentices of Keith Williams (currently a traditional artist at Dollywood) and will be presenting this rich tradition of instrument making for festival-goers. Learn More About Keith, Tony, and Joseph
Rick Stewart (Master) and Brendon Stewart (Apprentice) are a father-son team focusing on coopering which is the art of making wood vessels such as butter churns, buckets, barrels, canteens, pitchers, and piggins, among others, with the wood staves held together only with wood bands. The Stewart family has been carrying on this tradition for generation which you may learn more about here.
Marcella “Jane” Buis (Master) and Donald Simonton (Apprentice) are an aunt-nephew team focusing on the carving and decorating of gourd and walking stick art. Marcella’s termed ‘Afro-Lachian’ art represents the history of gourd carving with roots in Africa stretching into Appalachia. Learn More on the TN Arts Commission website about the work of Marcella and Donald.
John Brooks Sr. (Master) is woodworking and woodcarving expert creating fine, handmade chessboards and game pieces. Carrying on a loving trading of both woodworking and chess through generations. He’ll be joined by his grandson demonstrating these valued traditions. Read and Learn More
Eric Strong (Master) and Gracie Strong (Apprentice) are a father-daughter team carrying on a now third generation of marble making. Eric and Gracie will be joined by Park Ranger Shawn Hughes of Standing Stone State Park who is also a marble maker and Standing Stone State Park is renowned for the Annual Rolley Hole Marbles Tournament, where the Strong family has long participated. The Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival is proud to present this unique collaboration of folklife and Tennessee State Parks. Learn More on the TN Arts Commission website about the work of Eric and Gracie.
Kelle Jolly and Friends Storytelling
Kelle Jolly is not only a Co-Chair of the Louie Bluie Music and Arts Program Committee but is also a 2023 Master in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program with Apprentice Nayeema Hoffman maintaining the history of Appalachian Blues and storytelling.
At 2:15pm, on the Louie Bluie Stage, Kelle will host a very special storytelling session which you don’t want to miss!