Traditional fiddle tunes by Clancey Ferguson, the Ozark Folk Center's 2014 Musician of the Year, filled the lobby of the Historic Arkansas Museum on July 10 for the opening night of the exhibit "Art. Function. Craft. The Life and Work of Arkansas Living Treasures." Later in the evening, Ferguson would play with fiddle maker Violet Hensley. Hensley, who said she was one year and three months shy of being 100 years old, is one of Arkansas' Living Treasures.
Each year, the Arkansas Arts Council honors one of the state's outstanding traditional craftsmen who also works to preserve his craft, naming him an Arkansas Living Treasure. The new exhibit includes honorees' works along with photographs by Kat Wilson of the artists in their studios.
Honorees in attendance for the opening reception included potter Jim Larkin, bladesmith James Cook, woodworker Doug Stowe, vessel ("basket") maker Leon Niehues, pysanky egg artist Lorrie Popow and Larry Williams, who makes handmade woodworking planes.
The exhibit runs through Feb. 15. It includes a corresponding film series that can be watched at tinyurl.com/neb98gg.
High Profile on 07/19/2015