Tom (Rogers, AR) has been doing found object metal art for the last 15 years. He also works as a lighting and electrical designer, brews beer and makes home-made root beer, writes music and plays several types of musical instruments.

Bill (Memphis, TN) is a working artist/blacksmith, and professor of Metal Arts and Sculpture at Memphis College of Art. He earned a MA in Blacksmithing from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and has a BFA from Memphis College of Art.

Doug (Eureka Springs, AR) has been working with his hands, in various different media, his whole life. He began building drums in 1992 and has taught many people over the years to build their own drum. He is passionate about sharing his skills with others. Those skills are wood working, glass bead-making, kayak building and pottery.

Amanda (Canterbury, NH) is an award-winning sculptor based in New England and currently completing commissions and residencies throughout the United States.  She is a recipient of the National Sculpture Society’s Dexter Jones Award for best bas-relief sculpture.

Lisa (Guthrie, OK) is a cowboy boot maker in Oklahoma. She writes, speaks, and teaches to promote cowboy boot making and working with fine leather. She is the author of “The Art of Leather Inlay and Overlay” Schiffer Publishing 2016.

Bert (Bentonville, AR) started his interest in blacksmithing while attending the grand opening of ESSA’s blacksmithing studio in 2014. He now has his own forging shop, The Smithin’ Jones Backyard Blacksmith Company, and is an active member of The Blacksmithing Organization of Arkansas. Bert joined ESSA’s Board of Directors in 2016. He also owns Gaskin’s Cabin Steakhouse in the Eureka Springs area.

Eli (Eureka Springs, AR) is a self-taught, award-winning, and highly published photographer with over 25 years of experience. He is a regular presenter and judge for camera clubs and art groups and offers workshops at Rocky Mountain National Park, Garden of The Gods, and the Ozarks Natural Science Center. He is a certified workshop facilitator and makes his workshops engaging, interactive, and fun.

Nick (Knoxville, TN) is an artist, educator, and arts administrator. He received his MFA from Arizona State University, and a MS and BFA from the University of Tennessee. He exhibits nationally and has also taught workshops at Penland School of Crafts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, East Carolina University and the University of Louisville. Currently, Nick is the Program Director at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee and works on his fiber art practice from his home studio.

Laura (Des Moines, IA) has an interest in many different art forms, and has taught classes at her coffee shop and art studio – Two Sisters and Me. Laura loves to encourage and challenge her students to use their imaginations and open their minds to the endless possibilities papier mache offers.

Chelsie (Nixa, MO) is a graphite artist who received her BA in Art Education from Lubbock Christian University. For the past 15 years, she has been creating, teaching, and promoting the arts. Chelsie’s work focuses on relationships, removing the noise, and finding the timeless beauty of a moment.