2023 board nominees

Board nominees were asked to answer the following questions:
1) Make a statement of who you are and the medium you've chosen to express your creativity and life statement through.  Here is where you may list awards, accomplishments, and affiliations
2) Announce your candidacy and state what your commitment to the Guild is
3) Reveal what are your strengths that will bolster the continuation and expansion of the Guild through your service to the board
​

judy woodson

​My name is Judy Woodson, and I am a jewelry artist specializing in soutache and bead embroidery. I have always had a love of art and have been drawing since I could hold a pencil. I went to the University of Tennessee majoring in graphic design. While I did not make that my career, but instead went back to school and received my paralegal certificate, art has always been my first love. I began beading in 1990 and am self-taught. After the gentle advise/pressure of several dear friends, I juried into Foothills in the Spring of 2018 and jumped into the Fall Show that year with both feet. I have been an active member of Foothills since then. I am also a member of the Knoxville Chapter of the Embroiders’ Guild of America, where I served as Vice President for four years.
I believe I would bring a strong set of skills to this position from my many years as a paralegal, concentrating in contract, corporate and transactional work. I am organized and detail oriented, and as I love working in such an exact medium, I thrive on what others may consider tedious projects. I feel I
am a diplomatic person who can navigate both the business side of the guild while understanding the artistic needs of the members. I am strongly committed to seeing this guild thrive and expand in the future. I would love to strengthen our outreach to young artist who may have never heard of the guild or realized such a wonderful group of artists exist in our area. I would be honored to be considered for a position on the Board. Thank you.

---

Nancy Rowland
​Engle

Hi. I am Nancy Rowland Engle, a proud member of the Foothills Craft Guild and a metal smith working in silver, copper and brass. I am grateful for the opportunity to run for the Board, and hope that I will have a chance to share ideas and work with others to continue moving the Guild in a positive direction. My experiences include working with organization and set-up for showcases of the Professional Crafts program at Haywood Community College, for our participation in seasonal shows put on by the Southern Highlands Craft Guild in Asheville, North Carolina.  I hope to be able to bring my ideas and experience to the table and help to promote a spirit of positive collaboration for the good of our Foothills Craft Guild.

Janet Edkins

​Hello my friends, my name is Janet Edkins. I’m a bead artist making jewelry with seed beads, healing crystals, stones, shells, and wood, all gifts of Mother Gaia. Wearing these offerings of Gaia inside one’s energy field allows healing to proceed for individuals and for humanity collectively.
I chose to stand for a position on the board because I was asked if I could help the Guild. I am an average human being with a number of skills, a few ideas, and a willingness to try to sustain the Guild. In my working life I held many positions and worked at various occupations both in the US and the UK. I offer no special promises beyond trying my best to consider all situations, offering my thoughts and individual approach in support of the Guilds’ Mission, Values, and needs, as appropriate.
As members I believe we all have an obligation to continue, as best we can, to reinforce the stated goals and mission(s) of the organizations to which we belong. This is me, putting my time and talents where my stated beliefs require.

rikki taylor

I have been a member of the guild dating back to when guild shows were in the Oak Ridge Recreation Center.
My joy is in creating smiles. The colors and patterns found in my work frequently have that effect.  I have been creating with clay for more than 45 years, using various styles including raku, salt-fire and stoneware. I currently create both functional and sculptural pieces in all shapes and sizes using white earthenware clay decorated with brilliant underglazes.  My work has traveled nationwide and internationally.  
A notable achievement as a potter is a bowl entitled “Running Man.” In 2000 this work was acquired by the Renwick Museum of American Craft, which is a division of the Smithsonian Museum.
As for my time on the board, The Standards Committee 
has streamlined the jurying method by making use of the internet for applying and jurying. This has enabled established artists a streamlined path to membership. Now, with year round jurying and recruitment the guild was able to grow even during the pandemic. 
Education​​​​​​​​​​ and Memberships
U.S. Navy 1972-1975            ​​​​​​​​​​
Florida Atlantic University BFA 1979                                
University of Tennessee MS 1982                                        
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Tennessee Craft 1985- present 
Foothills Craft Guild 198?-  present 
Southern Highlands Craft Guild 2005- present                              

---

---

---