"Local Roots" an Abingdon Oral History Program: Kathy & Rees Shearer

Kathy and Rees Shearer will tell stories of the early days of Holston Mountain Artisans, featuring the handwork of around 100 craftspeople and artists from our region. HMA recently moved into the former Wolf Hills Antique shop in Abingdon. All visitors are welcome in their new shop at 280 West Main Street.

Kathy and Rees met in college and became VISTA volunteers in Northeast Georgia after graduation. Working with a college arts professor, Rees helped start a craft cooperative there which was active for 25 years. They married in 1970 and moved to Washington County for Rees to fulfill alternative service as a conscientious objector to war.

Connecting with Eric Reese, who worked at the Progressive Community Club (now People Inc.), they reached out to many talented craftspeople and artists in the region who needed a place to sell their work. Together, they organized the member-owned craft cooperative Holston Mountain Arts and Crafts in the fall of 1971 and set up business in Robert Porterfield's Cave House on Main Street in Abingdon. After 40 years, in 2012, the co-op moved to the old county jail house on Park Street and renamed itself Holston Mountain Artisans.

You may also like the following events from Tumbling Creek Cider Company:

• This Sunday, 8th June, 03:00 pm, Stretch and Flow Yoga with Erin - EVERY SUNDAY at The Taproom in Abingdon
• Next Tuesday, 10th June, 04:00 pm, TEACHER HAPPY HOUR! - Every Tuesday and Friday in Abingdon
• This month, 18th June, 05:00 pm, Sip and Scribble with Mel! in Abingdon

Also check out other Arts events in Abingdon.