Michael Dees, Master Caner – Moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia from the sand hills of North Carolina in the late 70’s, became immersed in Appalachian culture and realized that many of the cultural traditions were dying at an alarming rate. He learned seven step caning from a local couple, studied and researched various patterns and materials used in chair weaving, and after 35 years and hundreds of chair seats, he has become a Master Caner, one of less than 100 in the United States. Michael is the curator and an instructor at Chestnut Creek School of the Arts of Galax, VA. and a member of ‘Round the Mountain Artisans Guild of Southwest Virginia.
