Appalachian Craft Tradition

As she encountered the craftspeople of Appalachia, Doris Ulmann felt a responsibility for documenting their work in order to preserve it should their traditions be lost to time. Although Appalachian craft is very much so still thriving today, Ulmann’s photographs did aid in capturing the importance of creating by hand.

Her work emphasized the ability of Appalachian artists to create objects that are simultaneously practical and beautiful. With her photography, Ulmann was able to capture Appalachian traditions in which the ideas of hard work, handmade craft, and the necessity of function came together.

Working with a wide variety of artists, Ulmann also documented the diversity within Appalachian craft and the vast array of works created by these artisans. Just within this selection of Ulmann photgraphs, for instance, the crafts of: textiles (and several of the steps within that), pottery, weaving, woodcarving, and basketry are all represented.

Below is larger selection of Ulmann's photographs that add to the documentation of traditional Appalachia and its craftspeople.