Ruth Fleming Hawkins (1917-unknown) began carving at age 20, at a time when there were few women among the Brasstown Carvers. Her attention to quality and detail brought great demand for her carvings. She began with napkin rings, progressed to animal…
This blackware bear paw was made by the Bigmeats, a family of Cherokee potters. Charlotte Welch Bigmeat (1887-1959) had five daughters, all of whom made pottery: Tinie Bigmeat Thompson (1913-1999), Ethel Bigmeat Queen (1916-1942), Elizabeth Bigmeat…
This clay vase was made by the Bigmeats, a family of Cherokee potters. Charlotte Welch Bigmeat (1887-1959) had five daughters, all of whom made pottery: Tinie Bigmeat Thompson (1913-1999), Ethel Bigmeat Queen (1916-1942), Elizabeth Bigmeat Jackson…
This blackware clay pipe was made by the Bigmeats, a family of Cherokee potters. Charlotte Welch Bigmeat (1887-1959) had five daughters, all of whom made pottery: Tinie Bigmeat Thompson (1913-1999), Ethel Bigmeat Queen (1916-1942), Elizabeth Bigmeat…
Ruth Fleming Hawkins (1917-unknown) began carving at age 20, at a time when there were few women among the Brasstown Carvers. Her attention to quality and detail brought great demand for her carvings. She began with napkin rings, progressed to animal…
Ruth Hawkins (right) and JCCFS staff member Gladys Rogers looking at a table of woodcarvings. Ruth Fleming Hawkins (1917-unknown) began carving at age 20, at a time when there were few women among the Brasstown Carvers. Her attention to quality and…
Helen Gibson sawing a block of wood for a carving. Brasstown Carver Helen Gibson has been carving since she was a child. She began learning from her mother, Dorothy (Dot) Payne McClure (1922-1958), and from her neighbors Fannie Ivester and Martha…
Helen Gibson carving with an unidentified Brasstown Carver. Brasstown Carver Helen Gibson has been carving since she was a child. She began learning from her mother, Dorothy (Dot) Payne McClure (1922-1958), and from her neighbors Fannie Ivester and…
Brasstown Carver Jack Carpenter saws woodblocks to use for carving. Jack Carpenter (b. 1933) grew up in Robbinsville, NC. He first came to John C. Campbell Folk School as a woodcarving student in the 1950s. Jack worked in the Folk School's woodshop…