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Foothills
Craft Guild P.O. Box 5087 Oak Ridge, TN 37831 (865) 470-0669 |
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HISTORY DOCUMENTS
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Document 1:
by Peg Heddleson (date: 1967) |
 Peg Heddleson at Loki Crafts, 2004 |
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It's time to re-write Foothills Craft Guild history. For some reason, the one-page
Guild history sent out with our show information has consistently neglected mentioning
the two women who really started the organization. The only people mentioned have been
"a group of craftsmen who decided to frame by-laws." By-laws cannot be framed unless a
group already exists.
Here are notes from my diary: 1967 April 12: "Bess Mottern here. (My home in East Village) with Margaret Thompson. We talked about forming a guild and about crafts." Bess Mottern was a Southern Highland Guild weaver whom Margaret had invited to my home to discuss forming a new guild in Oak Ridge. Bess advised, "Don't do it. You'll have nothing but trouble." We didn't believe her and went ahead with a second meeting (September 7, 1967) at Margaret's house on East Drive. About ten people were there and the new guild began. 1968: On January 2, several of us went to the Oak Ridge Art Center to tell them about our group. The Art Center wasn't interested. On February 12, the new guild met at Margaret Thompson's home. Sam Thompson had served as temporary president until Bill Henry was elected as our first official president. June 6: Board meeting. 1969: On February 25, to Scarboro for a Community Action meeting to explain our guild and to find out what we could do to work together. There were many more meetings and participation in craft shows all over East Tennessee to introduce ourselves to the public. I set up shows in the Green Room in Oak Ridge, at St. Mary's Festivals, at the Unitarian Fairs, at the Art Center and the Armory, at the Conference Center in Gatlinburg, Ramsey House (in the cow barn!), etc. I started the scrapbook because I suspected we would grow. In the early days, Margaret and I did everything--photographs, publicity for The Oak Ridger, window displays all over Oak Ridge. If you have ever started a new group, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. If you haven't started a group, the early days will be a mystery. Re-writing our history is simple. Just say--"On April 12, 1967, Margaret Thompson and Peggy Heddleson started the Foothills Craft Guild."
Peggy Heddleson The Foothills Craft Guild was organized by a group of Oak Ridge and Knoxville craftsmen in 1967 for the purposes of learning together and having annual shows of their work. The group was formally incorporated and given a non-profit charter by the State of Tennessee in early 1968. From an original 25 charter members led by President William Henry, the group has grown to over 60 members from all over East Tennessee. Membership is open to anyone in the State. Prospective members must submit an application form and have items in each of their craft categories judged by the Standards Committee, which upholds high standards of workmanship, originality, and quality of materials. Applications and further information may be obtained by writing Box 99, Oak Ridge, 37830. Judgings are held several times a year. Under second President, Sam Thompson, the Guild continued holding monthly meetings with programs designed to teach craftsmanship and appreciation for a variety of arts and crafts, using members and outside speakers. The Guild also became a part of the Oak Ridge Community Arts Council and worked with other agencies such as the Art Center to sponsor speakers and programs. An annual scholarship is given to someone in the arts-crafts field. Help is given to surrounding community centers wishing to begin crafts programs and to individuals wishing to become craftsmen. Displays are set up in the schools, libraries, and cooperation with the public is given whenever possible. Mrs. Eldon Arnold is the third President of the group. After two years of shows in the Ridge Recreation Hall, the Guild moved to the larger National Guard Armory and began to have guest craftsmen and musicians at their fall shows. The November 21-22, 1970, show is the fourth to be sponsored by the Guild. Members of the Guild often hold membership in other guilds and many have had one-man shows both in this area and out of state. As a group, the Guild has participated in several national shows and folk festivals. Many members sell their crafts through fine shops all over the country from Vermont to California. The Foothills craftsmen maintain gift shops showing a sampling of their work at the Diplomat Motel on Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge and at the Caverns of the Ridge between Oak Ridge and Knoxville. The Diplomat Shop is open seven days a week at all hours. The Caverns shop is open May-October during daylight hours. |
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