Tennessee Folklore Society Annual Meeting

The Tennessee Folklore Society (TFS) annual meeting will be held at the historic Latta Theatre in downtown Selmer Saturday, Nov. 16. Included on the agenda are presentations by several acclaimed Tennessee folk artists and folklorists. The event is supported by funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC). Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by a membership business meeting at 9:30. The public is invited to attend any or all activities on the schedule.

Following an introduction of its folklife program by the Tennessee Arts Commission at 10:15, artist Hattie Duncan of Jackson, renowned for her sculptures depicting African-American life in West Tennessee, will discuss her work at 10:45 a.m. In 2019, Duncan received the prestigious Governor’s Arts Award in Folklife Heritage.

Afternoon programs will begin at 12:45 p.m. with Nashville researcher Sandy Conatser, who has documented the music box tradition in Middle and West Tennessee. At 1:30, Jack Martin, a fourth-generation broom maker, will discuss his work and tradition. Martin will be followed at 2:15 with a presentation by Tony Kail of Memphis. Kail’s program is entitled “The Mysterious Madstone of Humboldt, Tennessee.” Madstones were used throughout Tennessee in folk healing and Kail’s workshop will explore the folklore and history surrounding these stones.

The meeting will conclude with a music program at 3 p.m. by Hardin and McNairy County musicians Wayne Jerrolds and David Killingworth who preserve the fading old-time repertoires from the region.