ABOUT  US
  
The Beginning
was in June of 1993,
with assistance from Jubilee Project,
Clinch Artists
in
Sneedville, Tennessee.
 
Gallery
that provides
a consignment sales outlet
and marketing assistance
for its members.

Dedicated To
encouraging the production of
high quality arts and crafts
in
Northeast Tennessee.

Mission Statement
is to serve artisans in
Hancock, Hawkins, Grainger, Claiborne and Union
counties in Northeast Tennessee
by promoting marketing,
sharing information,
communicating challenges,
disseminating best practices,
announcing career opportunities,
publicizing or reviewing products and services.

Mission Goals
is to assist underserved microentrepreneurs
in starting, stabilizing and expanding
art & craft businesses.
By doing so,
we will work towards our goal to,
increase assets & economic well being
of the artisans and their families,
resulting in healthy connected communities.

Our Gallery
 where our creations can be viewed and purchased.
Jubilee Project Center
197 North Jockey Street
Sneedville, Tennessee
423-733-4195

Open year round,
9 am-5 pm, Monday - Friday,
upon request
Location of our main office.

Members' Responsibilities
The benefits of membership only happen if each member
is willing to do his or her share in supporting the efforts of the Coop
and takes an active role in it’s activities.

*Artisans must meet the general guidelines
for workmanship and the specific guidelines for their category.

*Members must agree to and sign the coops’ marketing agreement.

*Members must be willing to help plan and participate in special events.

*Members are responsible for keeping up with their own inventory
and ensuring that items are clean and in good condition.

*Each member is required to work in the store a specified number of hours each year.
The number of hours is set by the Coop Membership and may vary from year to year.
Work requirement is currently 4 hours per month.

*Members are responsible for their own label, tags and price sticker
which must accompany each item and be reflected on their inventory list.

*This is Your Coop;
success depends on your active support and help.

Product Evaluation
 
 Procedures for Product Evaluation
Clinch Artists is dedicated to encouraging the production of high quality crafts in
Hancock, Hawkins, Grainger, Claiborne and Union Counties of Northeast Tennessee.

All crafts submitted for evaluation must be the original hand crafted work of the applicant.

1. The evaluation committee meets at 1:00 at the Jubilee Project,
on the first Monday of each month
(unless a holiday at which time they will meet on the first Tuesday of the month),
The committee will be the members who are present for the meeting that month.

2. All work to be juried should be brought into the Jubilee Project Gallery in Sneedville
by the last Friday of the month.  Evaluation will be at the next monthly meeting.

3. Applicants should submit 3 examples of their work for each category being evaluated
and complete the Membership Application Form,
fill out applicants portion of Product Evaluation Form
and sign the Product Marketing Agreement.

4. There is a $10.00 non-refundable product evaluation fee to be paid at the time of application.
Make checks payable to: Clinch Artists or pay with Visa or Mastercard in person or on line,

5. Applicants will be notified by mail within three weeks after evaluation.

6. If work is not accepted,
applicants will be given a written explanation and suggestions
as to how their crafts can be improved to meet our standards.
Improved works can then be resubmitted with an additional jury fee of $10.00.

7. If work is accepted,
applicants will need to supply the Cooperative with enough work to create a display.

8. Applicants should be aware that,
while the Cooperative takes all reasonable care of work in the galleries,
whether consigned or not, applicants leave works at their own risk.

Guidelines For Evaluation
Clinch Artists strives to help artists and crafters of
Hancock, Hawkins, Grainger, Claiborne and Union Counties
market their work which show craftsmanship and skill,
creative ability, originality and professionalism.
 
1. We place a priority on the following factors:
a. originality of design
b. quality and types of materials
c. quality of construction and neatness
d. products must appear finished from all sides, top and bottom
e. hanging pieces must be secure and ready for hanging
f. all work must be completely finished and ready for sale
 
2. All products must be initialed, signed, or personalized with a tag by the maker
when the item allows.
   
3. Preference for membership in the Cooperative will be given to residents of
Hancock, Hawkins, Grainger, Claiborne and Union Counties. We will make exceptions
for work that is unusual and gets a unanimous vote from the jury committee.
 
4. Substantially new works in new categories of existing members
should be submitted to the evaluation committee for approval.
A $10.00 product evaluation fee must accompany each Product Evaluation Application.

Policies

Policy for Conflict Resolution
The Clinch Artists will make every good faith effort to resolve conflicts.
Members are asked to bring issues directly to the parties involved.
If the issue cannot be resolved between two members,
they should consult with the cooperative president.
If the issue cannot be resolved they may request mediation with a third neutral party.
Diantha Hodges as staff of Jubilee Project is available for this service.
If the issue is between a member and the cooperative management,
who is an employee, the issue should go before the employee's supervisor.
If the manager is not an employee, the issue should go before the membership
as to how it should be handled.
For example, the membership could request the issue be resolved with a mediator,
go before the officers, or appoint a committee to review
the situation, or be dealt with by the membership at large.
The decision of the membership will decide by majority vote.

Policy for Ending Membership
1. If a member wishes to withdraw from Clinch Artists,
they will give written notice to the cooperative manager.
It is requested that a reason be given so if there are underlying conflicts,
they can be addressed.

2. If the cooperative or the manager wants to end the membership status of
ne of the members, efforts will first be made to resolve the issues.
If they are unable to be resolved, the future membership status of the individual
will be brought before the members of the cooperative for a decision.
The member in question will be invited to attend the meeting also.
A third party may be asked to facilitate this portion of the meeting if desired by either party.
Members are invited to join the Clinch Artists by the membership at large,
and members will be asked to end their relationship the same way.
All members of Clinch Artists  will be notified ahead of time
of the meeting at which this decision will be made.

3. Notice and reasons for ending membership status will be given to the member in writing.