Broom & Toy Making
Independence, VA
John Alexander is a broom maker, poplar basket craftsman, and educator living in Grayson County, Virginia. Growing up on their small farm, John’s father taught him how to make the things they needed with the raw materials found on their land. Small scraps of wood became simple toys, and poplar tree bark was woven together to become baskets. To John, this self-sufficiency is what defines Appalachian art and culture.
As for broom making, John’s introduction to the art form was pure luck. As a student at Berea College, John’s first on-campus job was an assignment at the broom making shop. John became fascinated by the craft, training in all of the skills that Johnny Reed— Berea College’s resident broom maker—could share with him during his years there.
Today, John is retired and spends his time sharing the art of broom making with anyone who is eager to learn. You can find him at the occasional local craft show, but John spends most of his time in the classroom—even in his retirement. He teaches classes on the art form at public libraries, community colleges, and local public schools, ensuring that the traditional Appalachian art continues on in the generations to come.
John received a Tradition Bearers Fellowship in April 2023 from the Greater Bristol Folk Arts & Culture Team, supported by Mid Atlantic Arts' Central Appalachia Traditions initiative. John will be in the Appalachian Traditions tent in the Virginia Folklife Area on Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, October 15.