Over the next nine months, artists will teach traditional artistic knowledge to their family and community members to continue these practices into the next generation. The Apprenticeship Program is designed to help folk and traditional artists facilitate instruction in a one-on-one teaching environment with their apprentices.
2021 Apprenticeship Teams:
Bill Bailey, Idiophonic Instruments
Apprentice: Isaac Gleitz
Marion and Harrison Counties
Sam Bartlett, Irish-style Tenor Banjo
Apprentice: Lucy Annable
Monroe and Morgan Counties
Daniel L. Cain, Hoopnet Making
Apprentice: Jaden Robb
Posey County
Reverend Dennis Freeman, Gospel Hymns
Apprentice: Mark Duerson
Marion County
Steve King, Blacksmithing
Apprentice: Darren Bender-Beauregard
Orange County
Ralph Scutchfield, Violin Making and Repair
Apprentice: Jimmie Lyon
Marshall St. Joseph Counties
Beatriz Vasquez, Papel Picado-inspired Art Installations
Apprentice: Gabe Schlebecker
Marion County
Additionally, TAI documents the progression of their apprenticeship through interviewing, video recording, and photographic documentation to further promote and preserve these traditional art forms. Given the unfortunate postponement of the 2020 celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 Apprenticeship Program cohorts will demonstrate their work together at the Indiana Heritage Fellowship celebration in 2021.