The John C. Campbell Folk School is proud to congratulate Helen Gibson, the Folk School’s Resident Woodcarver from 1990 to 2019, on being honored with the prestigious North Carolina Heritage Award. This award recognizes individuals whose dedication to their art forms exemplifies the state’s rich cultural heritage.

Helen Gibson is renowned in the Brasstown community as a master of the traditional Brasstown carving style. Having studied under Jack Hall, Helen is one of the few remaining instructors to carve and teach the celebrated Brasstown Nativity figures, which she also illustrates in her instructional books, Carving the Nativity and The Animals of the Nativity. These books, along with her works on carving Moses and St. Francis of Assisi, showcase Helen’s meticulous approach to carving in the round—a technique that brings her carved figures to life in remarkable detail.

In addition to her contributions to the community, Helen continues to teach a week-long carving class at the John C. Campbell Folk School and leads workshops across the Southeast, sharing her expertise with aspiring carvers and preserving the Brasstown carving tradition.

“Helen’s dedication to her craft and her contributions to traditional woodcarving are an inspiration to all of us,” said Bethany Chaney, Executive Director of the John C. Campbell Folk School. “We are delighted to see her artistry and commitment to preserving regional folk art recognized with this award.”

Earlier photo of Helen from the 1980’s

Helen Gibson Teaching