JamesBen Art Center

Quilt Trail of Northeast Tennessee Newest Installation

2008-12-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

This past Thursday morning (12/18/08) at 11:30, the Art Center celebrated its final project of this bicentennial year. The Church Street side of our historic building is now emblazoned with the glorious red, white and blue quilt square based on the quilt at the foot of the bed in Andrew Johnson's bedroom at the Homestead. This project has been over a year in its completion. Cooperation was garnered from The Morgan Square Corporation, the National Park Andrew Johnson Presidential site, the Appalachian RC&D Council, the Town of Greeneville and the Bicentennial Celebration Steering Committee. Actual creation of the wooden, 8'x8' square was accomplished via the labors of Jody Ervin, Mel Donnelly, Jill Reid, Jody Palm, Barbara Heins, Chrissy Pryor and Sharon Collins. Almost 5 hours were involved with the lay-out of the 105 saw-tooth pattern elements in a 4 concentric circle motif by Jody Ervin, Daniel Luther and JamesBen. Then the 6 remaining folks spent 4 separate Saturdays painting 4 layers of color, pattern and sealant to realize the final work for the latest installation in Greeneville on the Northeast Tennessee Quilt Trail.

Greeneville Mayor, Laraine King welcomed folks to our fair town. She noted the beauty of the quilt pattern and commented that its location on the James-Ben: Art Center put it in an eye-catching spot at the gateway to the historic district. She emphasized that, as something visitors would be drawn to, it represents both the city's past and its future.

Roy Settle, coordinator of the Appalachian RD&C Council, briefly touched on the creation and history of the Quilt Trail and identified the Homestead quilt as the 81st quilt square placed in Upper East Tennessee. Roy pointed out that our quilt tradition is an effective and welcoming symbol for the Appalachian Culture. While focused in the more rural areas and usually mounted on barns, Roy noted that along with the Nathanael Greene Museum installation, this site made Greeneville one of the first municipalities on the Quilt Trail. He further said that the James-Ben: Studio & Gallery Art Center was approved as a site because of the gallery's efforts and reputation for featuring 150 Tennessee artists and artisans, including 30 Greene County folks.

Co-chair of the Andrew Johnson Bicentennial Steering Committee, Carlos Whaley expressed greetings on behalf of Jim Small, fellow co-chair, and AJNHS Superintendent, Lizzie Watts, both of whom were unable to participate due to other commitments. Carlos described the unveiling as a wonderful occasion so near the conclusion of the Bicentennial Year. He acknowledged the mutual benefit of the Bicentennial Celebration to President Johnson's place in history and to his hometown. At this point, Carlos announced the erection of a billboard by the Steering Committee, on the southbound side of I-81 near exit 36, to highlight the historically important relationship between Lincoln and Johnson. He quoted the billboard, "Lincoln Chose Johnson, Discover Why. Home of the 17th President, Greeneville." It will be displayed through 2009, the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth. Carlos then graciously commented that "no one in Greeneville's retail community has done more to promote and support the Bicentennial than James-Ben." Carlos then introduced President Andrew Johnson, portrayed by Daniel Luther, to unveil the quilt square.

President Johnson promised, "in the spirit of the previous speakers," to keep his remarks brief:
"Across the length and breath of our great country there can be but few communities that welcome the newcomer as warmly as Greeneille, TN. I received that welcome in 1826 when I came here as a young man seeking to make my way in the world. I received it again in 1869 when I returned home from the White House, weary from the labors of our late unhappy struggle. I hope that all present here will join me in a ferverent desire for the future -- that all who pass by and behold this beatuful image will recognize it as a symbol of this community's rich, significant history and of its place as a warm, safe haven to call home!"

At which point, President Johnson unveiled the installation to the spontaneous applause of the crowd of history, art and tourism enthusiasts.

Our Business Destination Site: JamesBen: Studio & Gallery Art Center

2008-06-16T08:51:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a Tennessee Economic Development/Tennessee Main Street sponsored workshop held in Kingsport. It was DYNAMITE! The presenter was Jon Schallert. He is very informative, extremely dynamic and willing to give complete information about the business strategies he has spent 20+ years developing. I have no intention of stealing his thunder; rather my point is no matter how difficult you find attending his presentation, the workshop is worth every iota of effort, energy and expense. I went so far as to close the gallery the entire day of his workshop and learned enough to re-invent our gallery as a Business Destination. Stay tuned. I'm actively applying every bit of strategy he shared , every concept he taught us and all the marketing topics he offered like improving the effectiveness of having an internet site: how to gain free local, regional and national publicity; and how to get word-of-mouth marketing to spread more quickly. I am so excited by his workshop, I find it difficult to curb my enthusiasm about him and his work. This workshop " Increasing Sales and Profits as a Destination Business" is a small business person's most wonderful hopes and dreams presented as a proven, successful business strategy.

Daniel's Graduation

2008-05-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

We're preparing for Daniel's GRADUATION today, Saturday, May 10th... and it is in spite of Tusculum- certainly NOT facilitated through their cooperation and advocacy - that he has completed his degree! At this point, Daniel's experience with them has been 3 years of frustration, lack of complete information, staff incompetency and in one instance, complete untruths! It's a pity that Tusculum's bureaucracy is so ingrained that its overriding purpose is it's own perpetuation rather than the omnibus advocacy, information dissemination and appropriate support of Tusculum's students. What for Daniel could and should have been a celebration of completing a process he postponed 30 years ago, has been nothing but trials and tribulations. Since Daniel, in his wonderfully forgiving and understanding manner, is not writing this and I (JamesBen) am, I have chosen to be very honest and candid about Tusculum's amazing lack of empathy with their students, particularly within the residential program. It got so frustrating for him that Daniel completed his last two classes within the GPS program. Obviously, these are my opinions and observations. However in expressing these thoughts to other graduates, current students and some staff, it has come to my attention that his experiences and my feelings are anything but isolated. In fact, Daniel was even told by that same bureaucracy that while what was being required of him was unfair, it was their prerogative to enforce those charges and they were doing so! Really creates confidence in the education and environment available for Tusculum's students, doesn't it? Particularly when one considers the social service stance espoused and required of the students but not practiced by the institution, it is possible to speak of premeditated hypocrisy. If you are interested in the details, please do not hesitate to request names, dates and details! It will give me great pleasure to comply!

IN HIS 200th YEAR, ANDREW JOHNSON CONTINUES TO INSPIRE !

2008-04-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

This is very exciting! Our first blog.

Daniel is finishing his final class TONIGHT. That is a major YAY! He is graduating after having delayed this choice for 20 years.

I've just recruited the first Black Greenevillians, the Manuel Family, to take part in the Bicentennial Celebration Collection this afternoon. A couple of folks brought in their mother for me to meet and to enlist in this project. Her response was that they were also capable and talented. If she was to take part so should they. They ALL agreed to create for the Collection! I'm really excited.

President Johnson was instrumental in extending emancipation to all of the USA population. Lincoln's proclamation freed only the slaves of the states in rebellion -- slaves in Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland and Missouri were not freed. It was during Johnson's term of office that the amendments to our constitution were proposed and ratified. Included in Johnson's views was his idea that the living conditions of all poor people, without regard to their racial background, would be improved by emancipation. It is with that spirit of inclusion that we have created the Bicentennial Collection and I wish to personally extend our invitation to everyone who wishes to participate in this celebration.

August 8th (the day Johnson freed his household slaves) is celebrated as "Freedom Day" here in Upper East Tennessee. Thanks to the untiring dedication of several Greene Countians, August 8th has been declared a state holiday. The African-American Task Force Coalition of East Tennessee will sponsor it's second Emancipation Day Conference later this month here in Greeneville. If you want to know more, please log onto www.nps.gov/anjo/parknews/index.htm or contact Leroy Ripley at 423-798-9592.

Now, back to my original point: of the 27 artisan, artists and organizations participating, 24 are from Greene County. That this many folks have chosen to contribute their talents, time and creative spirits to this project is a source of humbling personal affirmation and just plain JOY to me. Thank you everyone!

Without a doubt this project, which first started taking form in 2006 when Daniel chose to base his one-man-show (Tennessee Tailor) on the speeches and letters of Johnson with the inclusion of some of his published responses during the time of his impeachment, has been one of the most personally inspiring quests that we have taken. As we have gotten to know and understand our 17th President, we have discovered just how much his belief in and defense of our constitution has relevant application in our country today. If you have an interest in these applications, please research this remarkable gentleman yourself. He will swell your heart, expand your love for our country and renew your values in political participation. His constant choices to believe in, practice the values of and be inspired by of our constitution are his most enduring legacies to each of us here in his hometown and his beloved United States of America!