After our lunch at Littons, Tom and I drove north to the Appalachian Arts Craft Center. in Clinton, Tennessee  Tuesday is usually our day to do laundry and grocery shopping, but a visitor told me that Tuesday was weaving day at the Appalachian Arts Craft Center.  I had seen an article about the Tuesday Weavers in Handwoven Magazine a couple of years ago, but thought they were affiliated with the Museum of Appalachia across the street.

The Appalachian Arts Craft Center began in 1970 as part of the “war on poverty” government program.  Two teachers were hired to begin a traditional crafts program of classes and a place to sell the work produced.  By 1975, the Center offered classes in weaving, pottery, and quilting.  Crafters could become members of the Appalachian Arts Craft Center for a small fee, and sell what they made in the store.

The current Appalachian Arts Craft center was built and dedicated in 1987.  There is a shop upstairs and a large studio for the various crafts downstairs.  Classes at the center include pottery, cane weaving, stained glass, needle felting, soldering, and broom making.  The Tuesdays Weavers use the studio every Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.  In addition, the Center offers classes for home schoolers and takes classes to local retirement centers and nursing homes.

Tom and I walked in just as the Tuesday Weavers were cleaning up.  The first thing that caught our eye was the 40 looms all arranged like Tetris pieces in a tiny space.  The looms in use were at the edges of the puzzle so the weavers could easily pull them out and put them away.  In the center of the maze was a barn loom, donated by the Museum of Appalachia when the Appalachian Arts Craft Center first opened.

Because we came at the end of the weaving time, we were invited to talk to anyone about what they were working on.  It was fun to see the different works in progress.  Most of them were working on foldable Schacht looms similar to mine.  The Tuesday Weavers have a huge library of weaving books and an equally impressive collection of weaving yarns on shelves around the room.

I talked to several of the weavers in the room, including two women who were the leaders of the group.  They gave me a little history of the Tuesday Weavers, which have been together since the Appalachian Arts Craft Center was founded.  They have one member, a man, who was among the founders of the group.  Even though he is in his 90’s, he still comes by to weave occasionally.  I was impressed by the focus of the group but also the relaxed and playful atmosphere.  It looked like a good place to learn from others and try new things.

With the weavers packing up to go home, Tom and I headed upstairs to check out what was offered in the shop.  All members of the Center can sell their crafts in the shop, but the crafts are juried to meet quality standards.  I saw some lovely woven scarves, rag rugs, and shawls for sale.  There are quilts, pottery, paintings, and carved wood items for sale.  It was a very nice selection and everything was professionally done.

I really enjoyed my visit to the Appalachian Arts Craft Center and talking to the Tuesday Weavers.  The Center is definitely worth checking out and is located just off I-75, across the street from the Museum of Appalachia.