March 16 – September 16, 2028
Library and Technology Center Art Galleries
UNG Dahlonega
This exhibition will celebrate Tommye McClure Scanlin as both a leading tapestry artist and an influential educator whose decades at North Georgia College helped shape a generation of fiber artists. Her work—rooted in the southern Appalachian landscape and guided by a lifelong commitment to thoughtful, deliberate making—reveals how materials, place, and memory intertwine. Alongside representative examples of her tapestries, sketches, writings, and process materials, the exhibition will highlight the creative paths of alumni inspired by her instruction.
EVENTS
March 23, 2028 - Reception
Late April - Community Tour - Led by Tommye and student curators
Late August - Tommye's legacy - Alumni and Student Panel
Mid September - Auction or Art Sale
Proceeds will go to create a scholarship for students focusing on fiber arts.
ATTENTION Alumni, Mentees, and former students of Tommye Scanlin
Research about Tommye Scanlin's works and life, and interviews with her former students will commence in 2027. We would love to have your participation! Though there is plenty of time still, if you would like to share your memories or if you are interested in displaying an example of your work at Tommye McClure Scanlin: Earth, Fiber, Memory, please contact Dr. Ana Pozzi Harris, ana.pozzi@ung.edu. Thank you!
Tommye McClure Scanlin (b. 1947) is a distinguished tapestry artist and educator based in Dahlonega, Georgia. She began her weaving journey in 1972, exploring various techniques before focusing on tapestry in the late 1980s. As a Professor Emerita at the University of North Georgia, Scanlin initiated the institution’s weaving program, nurturing countless students’ appreciation for fiber arts. Her work, deeply inspired by the Southern Appalachian landscapes of her upbringing, has been showcased in numerous juried and invitational exhibitions. She has authored three books The Nature of Things: Essays of a Tapestry Weaver (UNG Press, 2020) reflecting on her artistic journey and connection to nature, Tapestry Design Basics and Beyond: Planning and Weaving with Confidence (Schiffer Publishing, 2021), and Marking Time with Fabric and Thread Calendars, Diaries, and Journals Within Your Fiber Craft (Schiffer Publishing, 2024). Scanlin continues to teach workshops at renowned craft schools, sharing her expertise and passion for tapestry weaving.
