Governor and First Lady Haslam’s 5th Annual Holiday Open House Begins Friday

Monday, November 30, 2015 | 01:45pm

Annual event invites visitors to tour the Tennessee Residence decorated for the holidays

NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam will open the Tennessee Residence on Friday, December 4 for the 5th annual Tennessee’s Home for the Holidays. The free open house event invites Tennesseans to tour the executive residence decorated for the holidays with self-guided tours offered Monday through Saturday, December 4-17. Guests may reserve a time to visit on the First Lady’s website, www.tn.gov/firstlady. 

“Crissy and I look forward to the open house every December,” Governor Haslam said. “It’s a great way for families to celebrate the Christmas season at a place that is significant for all Tennesseans.”

This year, the decoration theme is “Tennessee Craft,” highlighting the work of outstanding Tennessee artisans. In partnership with Tennessee Arts Commission and Tennessee Craft, the First Lady’s office worked with artists across the state who have loaned their work for the two-week open house.

Original art in a variety of mediums including clay, fiber, glass, wood and metal will decorate the trees and mantels in the Tennessee Residence. In Conservation Hall the trees will be decorated with ornaments crafted by students who participated in art camps across the state this past summer. The craft pieces will be supplemented with complimenting ornaments and decoration from Jim Marvin Collection, based in Dickson, Tennessee.  Marvin is known internationally for his holiday design and has assisted in decorating the White House for the holidays since 1997.

“Tennessee has a rich craft history that has been passed down from one generation to the next. There are talented artisans across the state creating one-of-kind treasures,” First Lady Haslam said. “Handmade traditions can be lost if they are not appreciated. This year’s open house celebrates Tennessee craft as an important part of our state heritage.”

First Lady Haslam visited artists, studios, art centers and galleries around the state this summer to learn more about craft traditions in Tennessee. She is also serving as honorary chair for Tennessee Craft’s 50th Anniversary in 2015, celebrating 50 years of preserving and advancing Tennessee craft.

Corporate sponsors SunTrust Foundation and Tennessee Valley Authority are helping to provide the open house event at no cost to the public.

 

Tennessee’s Home for the Holidays participating artists:
 

Bryce Brisco, ceramics artist, Silver Point

Olen Bryant, sculptor, Cottontown

Ben Caldwell, metalsmith & sculptor, Nashville

Bill Capshaw, ceramics artist, Oak Ridge

Malvina Carrera & Angela Webb, jewelry makers

Rafael Casco, papier mache artist, Knoxville

Raydarr Craig, walking stick maker, Sewanee

Lundy Cupp, sculptor & carver, Kingston Springs  

Alan Daigre, furniture maker, Readyville

David Dansby, quilter, Centerville

Karla Deal, copper artist, Nashville

Joe Deanda, glass artist, Dollywood theme park

Hattie Duncan, papier mache sculptor, Jackson

Richard Dwyer, wood turner, Johnson City

Virginia Fisher, copper artist, Memphis

Anne Freels, corn shuck doll maker, Oak Ridge

Celia Garduno, needle worker, Chattanooga

Johnny Glass, glass artist, Smithville

Melodie Grace, ceramics artist, Nashville

Amy Hand, ceramics artist, Knoxville

Prentice Hicks, glass artist, Chattanooga

Scott Hodes, glass artist, Nashville

Jennifer Hyatt, metal sculptor, Memphis

Lisa Jennings, painter and sculptor, Nashville

Wes Jordan, ceramics artist, Springfield

John Lucas, wood turner, Sparta

Damon MacNaught, glass artist, Silver Point

Jack Martin, broom maker, Selmer

Anthony Martin, blacksmith, Fairview

Matt McAllister, ceramics artist, Mt. Pleasant

Randy McCurdy, glass artist, Wartace

Jane McGinnis-Glynn, ceramics artist, Bethpage

Linda McLaughlin, copper artist, Franklin

Tammy O'Connor, stained glass artist, Shelbyville

Polly Page, doll maker, Pleasant Hill

Susan Parry, glass artist, Signal Mountain

Donna Rizzo, ceramics artist, Charlotte

Victoria Rose, glass painter, Dollywood theme park

Hector Saldivar, papier mache artist, Knoxville

Matt Salley, glass artist, Knoxville

Phil Schmidt, wood carver, Memphis

John Sellberg, ceramics artist, Nashville

David Sharp, wood carver, Smithville

Roger Smith, peach seed carver, Culleoka

Thomas Spake, glass artist, Chattanooga

Brenda Stein, wood turner, Nashville

Jeanie Stephenson, metal artist, Decherd

Chris Szaton, glass artist, Dollywood theme park

Niles Wallace, ceramics artist, Memphis

 

For more information about Tennessee’s Home for the Holidays, please visit www.tn.gov/firstlady.