3034 Arts and Creativity

Artisans participating in extension programs

Carrying on Traditions

One year ago, a man came to visit the Whitely County Downtown Community Art Center. He arrived in a motorized wheel chair and had to knock on the door so we could let him in. He introduced himself and informed us that he knows leathercraft and his passion was to teach others so that knowledge of this craft does not get lost. He became discouraged because he himself could not physically teach the class due one side of his body being paralyzed. We quickly set up an appointment to meet with him so he could teach us the art of leathercraft so that we could help pass his knowledge on to others. We had been approached by members of the community to offer leather making classes so we knew there was a need for this type of art in the county and Ned provided us with this opportunity.

Over the past year we learned a lot from Ned about tools, techniques, dyeing, and processing leather. We also learned a lot about him. He had a rough life. Ned learned leather work in prison and mastered the craft. He has a passion to continue the tradition of leathercraft and is so grateful to have this opportunity.

With Ned’s help we have offered three leather classes to date and introduce the art to 31 people. The first was part of a staff team building day, the second was offered to the community at our monthly Mountain Textiles group, and the third to a group of college students through a program that we partnered with at the University of the Cumberland’s called ‘Weekend in The Burg’ and we plan to teach a three-part class at 4-H camp in June.

Ned is still a part of our learning process and has attended a few of our class to provide expert advice. Ned’s outlook on life is optimistic and this exudes from his presence. Ned describes the financial opportunities of learning leather craft, “It will help someone’s else learn something they don’t know and they can prosper from it.” He loves to share stories with others and is very grateful to the Whitley County Extension Fine Arts for providing him an avenue for extending his knowledge of leathercraft. We continue to learn from Ned and continue to build the leather arts opportunities in Whitley county.