2025 - 26 Council
The Mayor’s Maker Council meets monthly, and its members serve two-year terms. These individuals are approved by the Mayor, reflecting a commitment to fostering innovation and creativity within The Maker City. The Council’s primary goal is to develop and implement programs that advance The Maker City’s mission.
The Council’s members come from a wide variety of maker disciplines, including performing artists, potters, and custom manufacturers—all are entrepreneurs. Each member brings their own experience and perspective, which collectively enriches the Council’s work. This diversity ensures that the programs and initiatives developed are inclusive, addressing the needs and aspirations of our ever-changing maker community.
The Mayor’s Maker Council is a testament to the city’s dedication to nurturing creativity, innovation, and community engagement.
To reach the council, email hello@themakercity.org.
Previous Council Members
Brent Thompson, Sugarlands Distilling Co.
Sarah Shebaro, Striped Light
Matthew Cummings, Pretentious Craft Co.
Andrew Edens, Smoky Mountain Vintage Lumber
David Harman, Native Maps
Alaina Smith, Cold Gold
Derek White, Bird on the Wire
Terrence Carter, KAUL
Preston Farabow, Aespyre Metalworks
Doug Laney, KnoxMakers
Victor Agreda, Jr., Author
Nanci Solomon, Rala
Dale Mackey, Dale’s Fried Pies
Tom Cervone, Clarence Brown Theatre
Melissa Nelson, Melissa Kaye Decor & Co.
Shaun Parrish, Wild Love Bakery + Old City Java
Matthew Sterling, Sterling Contracting Co.
Tanika Harper, Harper’s Naturals
Sherry Jenkins, Dogwood Arts
Marianne Canada, HGTV
Haseeb Qureshi, Forthlaw PLLC
Forrest Kirkpatrick, Fork Design LLC
Barron Hall, Mighty Mud
Kelle Jolly, Kelle Jolly Music
Ryan Ashley Anderson, Smart and Becker
Daje Morris, DM Photography
Kelly Hider, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts
Alyssa Maddox, Retropolitan
Enkeshi Thom El-Amin, The Bottom
Jacob Watson, Beckway
Laurie Kay, Monsters Made With Love
Saray Taylor Roman, Taylor-Roman Portraits
Sean Simoneau, KnoxMakers
Kelly Sullivan, Knoxville Arts Center
Victoria Walsh, Macrame Mama
Mary Thom Adams, SPARK
Jasmine Newton, Javon Renee Portraits
Brigid Oesterling, Brigid KO Designs
Marcus Williamson, UTK Designer
Ashley Garner, NEST
Marshall Prado, UTK Architecture
Kami Astro, Corte-Land Art House
Kiame Biandudi, Waymakers
Wil Wright, Wil Wright Music
Jonathan Clark, ART.Official Intelligence
Alex Jaynes, A. Jaynes Woodworks
Hannah Houser, Hannah Houser Management
Tuyen Ho, Hexcode
**Please note: businesses listed correlate with Council terms.