Exhibit Open Through Oct. 25

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Sept. 10, 2013) - - - "Tradition - Tennessee Lives and Legacies" opened in Columbia State Community College's Pryor Gallery last week, highlighting 25 selected folk art subjects from across Tennessee.

"Folk art, as handed down from generation to generation, is the focus of the "Tradition" exhibit," said Rusty Summerville, Pryor Gallery curator. "The wonderful photographs of the exhibit are complemented with various pieces of Tennessee folk artists, including paintings, chairs with weaved backs and bottoms, white oak baskets, brooms, hand-made marbles, buckets, churns, carved wooden animals and carved peach seeds."

This exhibit was developed as a companion piece to the "Tradition" photography book that was produced as a collaborative project between Dr. Robert Cogswell, director of the Tennessee Arts Commission folklife program and Nashville photographer Dean Dixon. "Tradition" highlights Tennessee's folk heritage through a combination of color portraiture and short essays that details the various art forms and artist stories.

The exhibit, provided by TAC, will be on display in the gallery until Oct. 25. The public is invited to a free artists' reception Oct. 26 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. The book, "Tradition - Tennessee Lives and Legacies," will be on display in the gallery and can be purchased through the curator.

The Pryor Gallery is located in the Waymon L. Hickman building on the Columbia campus. The gallery is open and free to the public Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Photo caption: "Jack Martin: Selmer" - After leaving his high-tech career, Martin revived "Hockaday Handmade Brooms," his grandfather's broom making business. He and his wife, Virginia, have settled in Selmer at the family farm and shop along Highway 142. Photo credit: Dean Dixon

Photo caption: "Rick Stewart & Renée Stewart: Hancock County" - The brother/sister duo both learned their grandfather's master crafting and artistry skills. Rick tried his own hand at coopering, the process of making churns, buckets and other staved wooden vessels, while Renée took to carving animal and human figures, including dogs, raccoons, mules, horses, ladies washing clothes and farmers in overalls. Photo credit: Dean Dixon