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Black Artisanship: Cousins Andrea Clark and Ali Rivera Carry On a Family Tradition of James Vester Miller

Black Artisanship: Cousins Andrea Clark and Ali Rivera Carry On a Family Tradition of James Vester Miller

Asheville-based Andrea Clark has made it her life’s mission to keep the memory of her grandfather James Vester Miller alive. Miller was considered a master brick mason. His legacy lives on in the remaining buildings that stand and function throughout the Appalachian city but also in the walking trail Clark established. Her cousin Ali Rivera assists in the endeavor. Their fathers were brothers and Miller was Rivera’s great-grandfather. James Vester Miller was born enslaved and went on to become a remarkable sought-after stonemason and builder in Western North Carolina. Four of his sons followed in his footsteps. While not stonemasons, his descendants are also keeping his memory alive through crafting. Rivera is a metalsmith and Clark is a chair caner. Rivera’s admiration for Clark often translates to the enthusiasm she feels about Clark’s artisanship. 

Chair caning is still practiced by a few Black artisans but overall it is a dying art, which makes Andrea Clark’s caning practice even more special and serendipitous. At one time, the photographer and filmmaker showcased her ware in the YMI Cultural Center in Asheville, the very building her grandfather James Vester Miller built. Cousin Ali Rivera said Clark was taught the craft by an Italian artisan in the 1970s and continues to practice chair caning for a few clients in Asheville. 

Appalachian Heritage: Cousins Andrea Clark and Ali Rivera Carry On a Family Tradition of Black Artisanship
[Photos courtesy: Angel Rivera and Andrea Clark]

Metalsmith Ali J. Rivera furthers the family legacy of working with their hands to  craft sterling silver jewelry often paired with gems, found objects from nature like sea glass and a few non-traditional items such as electrical wire. Her late brother was also a metalsmith. Without question during the time their great-grandfather Miller lived and worked, most metalsmiths were men. Today, there are more women metalsmiths but women-of-color metalsmiths and artists are rarer. 

Photo credit: AJR Metals (The ring is Sterling Silver with Found Blue Sea Glass Ring)

As the owner of AJR Metals, Rivera informs her collections on personal interests like heritage and ancestry, travel, art and music. She opened her studio during the pandemic though she’d been a metalsmith for years. Her hand-crafted jewelry can be purchased from her studio’s online shop

James Vester Miller would be proud of his descendants as they forge their own paths and demonstrate a legacy of creativity and artistic ability. 

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Michiel Perry

Michiel is a Black Southern Belle living a lowcountry life. I love all things fashion, home decor and southern! When I am not running around doing fun stuff for Black Southern Belle, I live in antique stores and have a minor obsession with historic homes 🙂

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Michiel Perry

Michiel is a Black Southern Belle living a lowcountry life. I love all things fashion, home decor and southern! When I am not running around doing fun stuff for Black Southern Belle, I live in antique stores and have a minor obsession with historic homes :)

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LEROY CAMPBELL CAREFREE HAND SIGNED AFRICAN AMERICAN ART
Gullah Spirit: The Art of Jonathan Green
35″” x 35″” Juneteenth by Synthia Saint James Canvas Art Print – Masterpiece Art Gallery
‘Beyonce’ Graphic Art Print on Wrapped Canvas Size: 18″ H x 26″ W x 1.5″ D
HBCU’s Canvas Print
A Different World (TV) 11 x 17 TV Poster – Style A
(27×40) Eve’s Bayou Movie Samuel L Jackson Lynn Whitfield Original Poster Print
Yes. Jesus Loves Me (Religious) – Katherine Roundtree 16×20 Black Framed
Dancing in The Living Room (Girls) – Katherine Roundtree 24×32 Black Framed – African American Black Art Print Wall Decor Poster
The Goodbye Kiss (Buffalo Soldier) – Katherine Roundtree 24×32 Black Framed – African American Black Art Print Wall Decor Poster
Amanti Art Funeral Procession Framed Art Print
Goddesses by Synthia SAINT JAMES Canvas Wall Art 3 Piece
227 – TV SHOW 80’S CLASSIC SHOW PRINT, GIFT FOR BEST FRIEND, FOR MOM, HOME DECOR, BLACK ART POP ART, FEMINIST
MASTER PIECE LESSONS GULLAH ISLANDS WALL ART, 35X35
GULLAH IMAGES: THE ART OF JONATHAN GREEN
GULLAH GEECHEE HERITAGE IN THE GOLDEN ISLES (PAPERBACK)
MASTER PIECE JOOK JOINT GULLAH ISLANDS WALL ART, 35X35
MY KIND OF NET ART PRINT BY GULLAH LIVING SERIES BY SAMANTHA CLAAR – X-LARGE
35″ X 35″ GULLAH GEECHEE CONJURE WOMAN BY SYNTHIA SAINT JAMES CANVAS ART PRINT – MASTERPIECE ART GALLERY
RING SHOUT GULLAH ISLANDS – UNFRAMED PRINT ON CANVAS WORLD MENAGERIE
MASTER PIECE GATHERING GULLAH ISLANDS WALL ART, 30X40
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