Printer version
1947 Born Russellville, Tennessee
2015 Died Morristown, Tennessee
EDUCATION
1968-1969 Coursework, Morristown Junior College, Morristown, Tennessee
1976 BS Art Education, Coursework in Sculpture & Weaving, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
1981-1983 Graduate Coursework in Ceramics & Drawing, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
1989 Sculptural Studies, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
RESIDENCIES
1987-1992 Artist in Residence, Tennessee Arts Commission, Nashville, Tennessee
1988-1992 Artist in Residence, South Carolina Arts Commission, Columbia, South Carolina
PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE
1977-2015 Professional Artist
1977-1989 Art Teacher, Upward Bound Program, Tusculum College, Greenville, Tennessee
1986 Co-Founder, Director, From Africa to Appalachia Foundation, Morristown, Tennessee
1980's Owner, Operator, Nicely Art Center, Russellville, Tennessee
1987-1989 Instructor, Out Reach workshop, Ft. Sanders Educational Development Center, Knoxville, Tennessee
BIOGRAPHY
Samuel Louis 'Sammie' Nicely is known for his stoneware and mixed media sculpture and drawing. Nicely uses a combination of slab, pinch and coil techniques to develop his sculptural forms. Nicely is also known for his pit-fired and mixed media masks that reference African and Southern Appalachian art.
His work is an expression of the way Nicely's African roots contrast with prevalent European traditions. In a departure from ceramics for which he is best known, Nicely also created a large series of pastel drawings.
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
BellSouth Telecommunications, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia
Carroll Reese Museum, Eastern Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee
Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee
Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, Wilberforce, Ohio
Rose Center, Morristown, Tennessee
Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville, Tennessee
BIBLIOGRAPHY
“Exhibit a Tribute to Art and Life of Sammie Nicely.” The Daily Post-Athenian, February 3, 2016.
Wampler, Angela, “Black History: Artwork Inspired by African Heritage,” A! Magazine for the Arts, January 31, 2012, https://artsmagazine.info/articles.php?view=detail&id=2012013020055573885.
Williams, Don. “Artists Three” Folk Artists Play Off of What They Find.” Knoxville News Sentinel, December 5, 1989.
![]() | Southern Highland Craft Guild |
![]() | Center For Craft |
Citation: Jeffrey Kuratnick. "The Marks Project." Last modified April 13, 2023. http://www.themarksproject.org:443/marks/nicely