HCTC Ky. School of Craft hires Jeff Adams

Jeff Adams has a vision for the HCTC Kentucky School of Craft in Hindman, where he began work this summer as director and he s excited about his role. As he puts it, There is something very special and sacred about this place.

One of his goals is to expand the facilities to include a foundry and metal fabrication program that builds on the region s strengths, with particular attention to invitational public events that include casting metal in the iron cupolas utilizing local coal and coke as fuel.

I want to maintain our traditional craft identity, but also look forward to offering workforce solutions and employment strategies to our students from an applied design viewpoint. My focus is to preserve the notion of the handmade object at the Kentucky School of Craft, but also embrace current and evolving technologies to ensure our students have marketable skill sets, Adams stated.

HCTC President Dr. Steve Greiner said Jeff Adams experience, skills, knowledge and background are an ideal match for the Kentucky School of Craft. Jeff has a real appreciation for our rich history and tradition as an arts community, Dr. Greiner said.

I was extremely blessed to attend one of the best Art and Design Masters programs in the world, at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield, MI. It is important to note that this was only made possible through the support and mentoring of my teachers at the University of Kentucky. My belief is that HCTC s Kentucky School of Craft has the same opportunity to become a similar flagship institution in the unique fashion of a two-year college dedicated to the crafts and applied design. With the proper vision, facilities and faculty, the school can mature into a leading force in the education of professionals working in the industry, he said.

I have found that I have a very supportive administration at HCTC and a passionate and invested local community that want to see Kentucky School of Craft reach its full potential on a national stage. Add to that the natural beauty of this area and the warmth and good nature of its people and the School has every opportunity to grow into what was originally envisioned, Adams said.

The new director is impressed by the facilities at the school. They are absolutely astounding! I have had the opportunity to tour some of the biggest and best four-year university art and design schools in the country. The current wood and jewelry facilities at the Kentucky School of Craft are unmatched in their excellence and technologies. I look forward to every tour that I conduct at the School for the simple reason to see everyone s jaw drop when they see what we have here, Adams said.

Adams began his teaching career at The University of Notre Dame and taught at other institutions around the country. He believes that as an administrator, it is important for him to maintain a presence in the studio classroom in order to stay in touch with the students and keep his own creativity flowing. His prior experience is in wood, metal fabrication, foundry, design and printmaking.

Adams and his wife, Laura, have two children, ages 2 and 4.

To contact Adams, email him at jadams0429@kctcs.edu.