Smokies

Cherokee woodcarver, silversmith, and storyteller

Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary)

Reuben Teesatuskie is skilled in woodcarving, silversmithing, and storytelling. He presents programs that include Cherokee language, story, and storytelling. He also demonstrates wood carving and teaches Cherokee traditional dances.

Chuck and Peggy Patrick

Oldtime musicians and craftspeople

Brasstown, NC (Clay County)

Chuck and Peggy Patrick, natives of Blairsville, Georgia, grew up learning traditional mountain music and crafts. Peggy's father and grandmother were both square dance callers, and from her family she learned much oldtime and gospel music. Chuck, who is also an oldtime musician, was trained by his stepfather in several traditional crafts. His stepfather's family ran Jackson Forge in Blairsville, and taught Chuck blacksmithing skills, which he uses today in his crafting of knives and other edged tools.

Old Folks Day Singers at Morning Star Methodist Church

Shape-note singers

Canton, NC (Haywood County)

Since 1889, the Morning Star United Methodist Church southeast of Canton has hosted a gathering known as Old Folks Day. Thanks largely to the encouragement of North Carolina Folk Heritage Award recipient Quay Smathers, Old Folks Day became a favorite gathering of shape-note singers. Smathers, who is now deceased, had learned shape-note singing as a small child from family and community members in Haywood County, and from traveling singing masters who would visit churches for several days at a time, instructing the congregations in the singing of shaped notes.