John Alexander – Grayson’s Master Craftsman

You may have met John Alexander in the classroom as an educator, or on the walking trail, or today at a craft show or workshop making all types of brooms, traditional style whisks, spider web catchers, even a vegetable scrubber. He is also a master Appalachian toy maker and baskets from tree bark. Retiring from education, today John is spending time sharing his art with all who are eager to learn. He can be found at local craft shows, teaching classes at public libraries, community colleges and local public schools. His family is also involved in these activities.

From a small farm in Rockbridge County, VA, John’s father taught him how to make items they needed from raw materials on their land. Small scraps of wood became simple toys, and poplar tree bark woven into baskets. At Berea College, John was introduced to the art of broom-making. Each student as an on-campus job, and he was assigned to the broom-making shop. He was fascinated by the craft, training in all of the skills by his teacher, Johnny Reed, Berea College’s resident broom maker, shared with him during his years there.

Berea College, a private liberal arts college located in Berea, Kentucky, was founded in 1855. It was the first college in the South to be coeducational and racially integrated. It provides academic programs and work study that covers all costs after Pell grants giving a cost free opportunity for students. As Berea is a ‘work college’ all students work 10 hours a week. It is well known for resident artists teaching traditional crafts in textiles, wood working and brook making sold in local and national shops.

As you watch John’s videos found many places on the internet, his love and skill in the craft brings an appreciation for the heritage and life of days past, and the value of keeping the traditions alive. With the broom sage (sometimes called ‘broom corn’) pieces of wood, or horn for handles, strong string, a ‘tying table’, cutting knife, using strength to pull the string and weave the corn, he fashions different sizes and types of brooms. Asked “Do they (the brooms) work?” he responds, “They work if you do.”

Grayson County is proud to recognize John Alexander as the Featured Artist for the 2024 Ag & Art Adventure.

C. Laura Bryant, 2024