Museographs: Appalachian Handicrafts

High atop the Southern mountains, Appalachian settlers mastered crafts essential for their remote lives, including blacksmithing and basket-making. Their unique skills helped them thrive, creating items like hand-thrown pottery and cornhusk dolls. However, the Industrial Revolution challenged these traditions; potters were replaced by more durable materials, and commercialization changed timeless techniques. "Museographs’ Appalachian Handicrafts" tracks these craftsmen's journey from isolation to modern success, highlighting influential figures and showcasing the enduring spirit of Highland art.

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About the Author: Caron Lazar
Carôn Caswell Lazar began her career at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. During her career she has studied art; taught art, art history and history; created art; sold art; helped to plan and build two repositories for art; written art programs; published art; and designed art catalogues and installations. She taught interdisciplinary studies accredited in the International Baccalaureate program and was part of the 1977 team for IB program development. Carôn taught both middle and high school at Daycroft, a private co-educational boarding school in Greenwich, CT. A student of and intern to Dr. Joseph Campbell, she has traveled, studied and lived extensively in the third world focusing on art, culture, mythologies and religion. She is the author of books and CDs on Character through Art, Classics and Culture as well as Museographs, a monographic series focusing on world culture and history. Mrs. Lazar is a frequent speaker, seminar and workshop leader and continues to write and teach about the world and the people who make it what it is.
High atop the Southern mountains lived the Appalachian settlers. They were people unconcerned with convention who lived removed from the throes of civilization for more than a century. From mighty blacksmiths to prized basket-makers, their crafts were well suited to a remote existence, giving them ‘the tools to tame the wilderness.’

Hand thrown pottery preserved and transported food. Cornhusk dolls lent amusement to children’s playtime. Chair making and woodcarving added beauty and functionality to the home, and the celebrated art of the coverlet was a legacy of tradition and hard work.

Though early Appalachian society was prosperous, the technology of the Industrial Revolution presented new challenges. Potters fell victim to highway robbers and was then replaced by glass and metal containers. These new materials infiltrated rural markets and served as better storage alternatives. In addition, the one-person art of the coverlet was forever changed when Francis Goodrich’s Allanstand Cottage Industries sought to commercialize its production and circulate the coverlet to the general public. This increased exposure led to the development of faster production techniques and resulted in economic hardship for the hill country.

Museographs’ Appalachian Handicrafts records the development of these American craftsmen and —women, from humble beginnings to modern success stories. Extensive biographies introduce you to major figures within the society, such as Daniel Boone and Alvin and Trevele Wood. This cleverly written document illustrates, with personal flair, how evolving Highland art has thrived in both its early and its current forms.

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Available in the following formats: .epub, .pdf, .mobi

Price: $2.99 USD

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