CRAFT IN AMERICA: Harmony

Encore Friday, March 1, 2024 at 9 p.m. on KPBS 2 / Stream now with the PBS APP

Celebrate the joy of music and the creation of handcrafted instruments on this new episode of CRAFT IN AMERICA. "Harmony" features accordion maker Marc Savoy and the Savoy family; bow maker Susan Lipkins; luthier Doug Naselroad and the Appalachian Artisan Center Culture of Recovery program; and artist Richard Jolley, whose monumental glass sculpture inspired the commission of a violin concerto.

In Hindman, Kentucky master luthier Doug Naselroad leads the Appalachian Artisan Center Culture of Recovery program, which teaches musical instrument making to people in recovery from opioid addiction and other substance abuse.

The program teaches students to make the mountain dulcimer, which requires a complex construction process using woods from the region. It seeks to revive the local economy as well as support its students on their road to recovery. Many of the graduates go on to become luthiers themselves or apply their new knowledge to other occupations - a testament to the healing power of craft.

Work by the featured artists was exhibited at the Craft in America Center from Dec. 11, 2021 through March 19, 2022.

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Marc Savoy on accordion and Ann Savoy on guitar playing on their porch.

Courtesy of Denise Kang

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Marc Savoy's accordions.

Courtesy of Denise Kang

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Tabatha Mosley makes a mountain dulcimer at the Appalachian School of Luthiery in Hindman, Ky.

Courtesy of Denise Kang

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Bowmaker Susan Lipkins cuts wood in her Woodstock, New York studio.

Courtesy of Denise Kang

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Master Luthier Doug Naselroad cuts wood for his mountain dulcimer at the Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company in Hindman, Ky.

Courtesy of Denise Kang

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Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company, ED-1 model dulcimer.

Courtesy of Mikey Slone

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Double Bass Player Lizzie Burns with her Susan Lipkins bow.

Courtesy of Denise Kang

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Glass artist Richard Jolley shapes glass with lead assistant James A. Breed in his Knoxville, Tenn. studio.

Courtesy of Denise Kang

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Glass artist Richard Jolley shapes glass with lead assistant James A. Breed in his Knoxville, Tenn. studio.

Courtesy of Denise Kang

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Glass artist Richard Jolley shapes glass in his Knoxville, Tenn. studio.

Courtesy of Denise Kang

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Richard Jolley, "Cycle of Life: Within the Power of Dreams and the Wonder of Infinity," 2009-2014 exhibited at the Knoxville Museum of Art.

Courtesy of Elizabeth Felicella

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