Knoxville Mayor’s Maker Council welcomes four new artists
Founded in 2016 with the leadership and fiscal agency of the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, the Mayor’s Maker Council is made up of a broad cross section of the creative community, with up to 21 members representing local makers, arts and business support organizations and City officials. All are appointed by the Mayor.
This year, the Mayor’s Maker Council welcomes four new members.
Amelia Galvas is the owner and operator of Aviary Broom Co. Dedicated to keeping the broommaking tradition alive, she visits schools, museums, and other organizations to speak, demonstrate and teach. On the weekends, she can be found at the Market Square Farmers Market. Aviary Broom Co. is also a steady presence at the Museum of Appalachia and various festivals throughout the year.
What does she hope to bring to the Council? “Art education,” she says. “I like to brainstorm solutions, execute plans and collaborate. I like to lead teams, and I like to plan events. One of Knoxville’s strengths is community, and all the wonderful things that come with it.”
Shannon Herron earned his MFA in design at the University of Tennessee. As the Marketing & Creative Director for Dogwood Arts, he oversees all communication, graphic design, marketing, and media relations for the 20+ annual events and programs hosted by the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
“I believe a sustainable creative community is one in which artists and makers can make a living wage doing what they love. It means building a community that is ripe with opportunities to create and sell work, and to collaborate with and learn from other creatives.
“I think many Knoxville businesses have a willingness to incorporate locally-made artwork and furninshings whenever and wherever they can. We have an abundance of Maker Spaces and galleries that feature local artwork, and several organizations that exist to promote and support creatives of all types.
“Having the University of Tennessee here is another huge advantage, with students, artists, and professors that impact our community. The City of Knoxville is also extremely supportive of the arts and creates a welcome atmosphere for everyone to thrive.”
Jaleria Rivera is the Founder of SpaceCraft and a Transnational Fusion Belly Dancer, a personal dance style that incorporates a variety of traditions. She pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Creative Writing at UT Chattanooga, but during the pandemic shutdown, cut off from her usual connections, she discovered the joy of improvisational dancing and was inspired to create a business and dance practice rooted in play, artistic expansion and cultural discovery.
“I created SpaceCraft with the intention of becoming Knoxville’s first -- and hopefully not only -- artists studio co-op. I see a thriving community of artists and creatives who have access to the space and resources needed to fully immerse themselves in their craft.
“Knoxville is on the come up! We have a special sauce, if we lean into what makes us unique. There is an abundance of talent brewing in this city. We need to nurture that and not lose out to neighboring cities already known for their established art scenes: Nashville, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Asheville. We can be the face of the new creative trade if we invest in our people, infrastructure, and culture.”
Jondale Stratton serves as the Technical Director for Knox Makers, a non-profit makerspace serving the Knox area since 2010. He is also the organization’s “Lasercutting Czar,” spreading, he says, “the good word of 2D in this 3D world.” Stratton received his degree in Computer Science from UTK and currently holds the position of IT Manager for the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis.
He is a familiar presence at shows and markets; in 2015 his lasercut wood art earned him a membership in the Foothills Craft Guild. In his time on the Council, Stratton hopes to help others “define being or attempting to be creative as success, and celebrate it. I want to promote sharing, teaching, and openness among the community, and bring people together outside of their normal groups.
“Knoxville has a great history of crafting, a strong community of makers and a supportive local government. As a newcomer, I hope to connect with others on the Council, find our commonalities and see where I can be productive.”
The Maker City is the greater Knoxville-area community of makers, artists, creatives, and small-scale manufacturers and supporting entities. Led by the Mayor’s Maker Council, we facilitate collaborative partnerships, programming, and opportunities in an effort to create a sustainable creative community. For more info, visit us at http://themakercity.org/.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville Mayor’s Maker Council welcomes four new artists
