Appalachian Center for Craft - Summer Workshops
Close

Workshops

Aerial view of the Appalachian Center for Craft
Front entrance of the Appalachian Center for Craft
Instructor and student working together
Instructor showing student how to work clay on a spinning table
Three men taking turns hammering a heated piece of metal
A young woman and an older woman working clay together
A group of women smiling and laughing as they learn a craft
A woman showing an older man how to do a craft
Three men heating metal in fires beside anvils
A woman showing a man in a red shirt how to do a craft

 

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.

 

2025 Workshops
Fall workshop registration is open!

 

Workshops

  • 6-Week Workshops

    Pottery
    Andy Foster 

    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. For first-time, beginner and intermediate potters!

    $330

    6 - 8pm on the following Mondays:
    9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13

    Register here

    Hands carving a clay bowl on the wheel


    Fundamentals of Jewelry
    Talia Tax

    This 6-week introductory jewelry class is a great way to begin your metalsmithing journey! Students will learn the techniques behind jewelry design and fabrication to create wearable or sculptural artwork. Demonstrations will include sawing, filing, forming, soldering, and finishing. Students will leave the class with several objects in copper and brass and the skills to continue their creative practice outside of the course. No prior metalworking experience needed.

    $330

    6 - 8pm on the following Mondays:
    9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13

    Register here

    Metal jewelry layed across a table

  • Fall Daylong Workshops

    Broom Making
    Jasmine Best

    Create enchanting hand-made brooms and explore the basics of this traditional craft! You’ll learn how to use broomcorn and twine to craft your own brooms, from start to finish. Make hand held and long handled brooms, including turkey wings, hawk tails, sweepers, pot scrubbers and more. Open to beginners, moderate hand and upper body strength is recommended.

    $180

    Saturday, September 27, 2025
    10am - 5pm; Orientation at 9:45am

    Workshop registration includes lunch

    Register Here

    Hand-made fiber brooms


    Hot Glass
    Kayla Sanford

    If you've ever wanted to try glassblowing, this is your chance! Join us for a full day of hands-on creativity in the hot shop. Start by learning how to gather, shape, and manipulate hot glass, then dive into techniques to craft spirited seasonal pieces like a pumpkin, cady dish, and a curious cat paperweight. No experience necessary. Finished glass pieces will need to be picked up at a later date.

    $220

    Saturday, September 27, 2025
    10am - 5pm; Orientation at 9:45am
    Workshop registration includes lunch

    Register here

    Glass pumpkin


    Felted Fungi
    Gerry Burklow

    Felt Mushrooms, Foresty Folk and more! Learn the basics of needle felting and let your imagination run free to create your own forest floor, complete with realistic mushrooms, Foresty Folk and several woodsy must-haves like ferns, bark, and moss. You will work with armature wire, different types of wool, and finishing and sculpting techniques you can use in other felting projects. This will be a creativity launch pad to make something one of a kind. Great for beginners or experienced felters who want to learn new techniques.

    $180

    Saturday, September 27, 2025
    10am - 5pm; Orientation at 9:45am

    Workshop registration includes lunch

    Register here

    Felted fungus


    Enameling Basics
    Talia Tax

    Learn how to fuse colorful glass to metal in this one-day enameling workshop! This class focuses on lead-free opaque enamels, with the option of working with enamel threads and transparent colors. Students will learn the full kiln-firing process, enamel application tips and tricks, and will leave with a few finished enameled pieces.

    $185

    Saturday, September 27, 2025
    10am - 5pm; Orientation at 9:45am

    Workshop registration includes lunch

    register here

    Finished enamel pieces

     

 

Workshop Information

Questions? Contact the Craft Center at craftcenter@tntech.edu.

 

Experience Tech For Yourself

Visit us to see what sets us apart.

Schedule Your Visit