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Ceramics
Ceramics
STAFF
Executive Director:
Cheryl Osborne, a graduate of the University of Kentucky, has 17 years’ experience in project financial management with Millstone Construction and ERS Pipeline before she started as the AAC’s Office Manager in January 2021. She assumed the AAC's Financial Director position after the July 2022 flood, overseeing all AAC bookkeeping and managing grants from ARC Power, ARC INSPIRE, ARC DLG, EDA CARES, and NEA, as well as fundraising and development. Cheryl’s other prior work includes as a substitute teacher and volunteering on the Neon Area Days Committee.
** Photo Credit: Liz Terry Photography
Artistic Director & Culture of Recovery Coordinator:
Liz Terry is a photographer and artist from Hindman, KY. She works in many mediums but focuses mainly on ceramics and photography. Her work has been published in both digital and print around the state including KY Bride Magazine, TOPS Lexington Magazine, Bridal Bliss, How They Asked, and more. She is one of Click Magazine's "Click Pro" photographers. She has taught photography in local schools and hosts workshops in photography and ceramics for beginners.
Liz's work includes meeting with and scheduling teaching artists, curating galleries, and coordinating the Culture of Recovery program. She brings her skill and background in the arts and business, and her love of people to her work at the Artisan Center.
** Photo Credit: Liz Terry Photography
Gallery Store Manager:
Lisa Burke is a native Floyd/Knott-countian. She attended East Kentucky Beauty College and Morehead State University. She has 25 plus years in procurement and inventory control. She has worked at Pikeville Medical Center, as a surgical purchasing agent. While Lisa comes from a medical background, she brings her skills and knowledge, applying them to the AAC gallery store. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the gallery store - including but not limited to, greeting guests, procuring and displaying art, maintaining item masterlist and inventory.
Office Manager / Bookkeeper
Branson Johnson is a lifelong Floyd County, Kentucky native. He is currently serving as the Bookkeeper and Office Manager at the Appalachian Artisan Center. He joined the AAC crew in late July 2025, he currently assists with financial bookkeeping and daily office operations here at AAC. Branson is currently a student at Eastern Kentucky University, completing his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is also a graduate of Big Sandy Community and Technical College. With the use of his attention to detail, along with a growing passion for financial management, Branson aspires to build a long and fulfilling career in accounting/bookkeeping. His career goal is to support and assist the growth of organizations that make positive impacts in their communities.
Troublesome Creek String Instrument Company/ Master Luthier:
Master Luthier Doug Naselroad joined the Appalachian Artisan Center to found the Appalachian School of Luthiery in Hindman, Kentucky in 2012. In 2016, the school's Hindman Dulcimer Project won the prestigious Governor's Award in the Arts for Folk Heritage.
Recipient of the 2017 Homer Ledford award, Doug was named a South Arts Fellow in 2019, and coauthored the Culture of Recovery (COR) program funded by ArtPlace America. Once a month, he hosts the Knott Downtown Radio Hour on Appalshop's WMMT.
Doug currently serves as Director of the Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company at the Appalachian Artisan Center in Hindman, a nonprofit manufacturing company that employs people in recovery.
** Photo Credit: Liz Terry Photography
Master in Residence/Blacksmith:
Dan Estep was born in Perry County, KY. He began his career in metalwork in 1982 after being laid off from his trade as a welder in the mines. He is one of the original members of the Southeast Kentucky Blacksmith Association and of the AAC in Hindman, KY. He is also a member of the Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil Association, Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, and a juried member of Kentucky Crafted. Dan is a traditional ironworker – a toolmaker and bladesmith. In 2011, he began devoting more time to his company, Wren Forge Ironworks, and since 2016 has instructed workshops and coordinated special projects for the AAC at the Kentucky School of Craft studio in Hindman, KY. He was lead Instructor for an NEA “Our Town” Grant award - SPARK Knott County – (2016-2017) and currently serves as AAC’s Master Blacksmith with the “Culture of Recovery” Program.
** Photo Credit: Liz Terry Photography
Master in Residence/Ceramics:
Richard Kirk Banks is a multidisciplinary studio artist working in Hindman, KY. A Whitesburg,
KY native, Kirk is a graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall and the University of Virginia’s College
at Wise with an emphasis in fine/studio art. He practices primarily in three media: ceramic arts,
printmaking, and painting. Kirk’s pieces from each medium are characterized by bold, saturated
colors, simple patterns, and lively functionality. His ceramic work is generally functional and
wheel thrown. He teaches clients weekly through Culture of Recovery and Family Fun Arts Exploration. His print work includes serigraphs and monotype/monoprint on paper, while his paintings are made with acrylic, oil, and pastels on canvas or panel.
Appalachian School of Luthiery Director:
Originally working from Mt. Sterling, Paul Williams is a seasoned luthier and is the director of the Appalachian School of Luthiery. After his career in the U.S.Navy and long-time employment with the Lexington Federal Medical Center, he has made his mark as a versatile luthier of stringed instruments ranging from dulcimers to guitars. He is known for using native Kentucky wood for one-of-a-kind instruments, focusing on the specialized sound each wood makes. While continuing to make his own instruments at the School of Luthiery, he teaches clients weekly from the Culture of Recovery program, sharing the mission to make a positive impact towards the addiction recovery efforts of this region.
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