from the earth: broom traditions by george jones jr. exhibition recap

George Jones Jr.'s exhibition, "From the Earth: Broom Traditions" will be on display in Kentuck's Museum Gallery from May 1, 2025 - May 31, 2025. This exhibition is a wonderful example of where form meets function. Broom making has a long and varied history, with roots in ancient besom brooms made from twigs, evolving into modern broom-corn brooms. The practice gained prominence in the late 18th century with the invention of broom-corn brooms and the Shakers' innovation of flattening them for more efficient sweeping.

George Jones, Jr. uses traditional materials, techniques and tools made in the early 1900s to create his unique brooms.  George may be the first in his family to view broom-making as an art form, but he continues to use the tools and techniques passed down through four generations. He grows and harvests 90% of all his broom corn on his farm in Lauderdale County, Alabama.

There are brooms of all shapes and sizes on display, from long, slender "spider brooms" to classic "shaker brooms," and even small "cake testers." George's expertly crafted handles feature a stunning variety of hardwoods and found objects, including a 1930s croquet mallet and early 1900s mule hames.

"I use broomcorn to make my brooms. The broomcorn is attached to a handle using string or wire. Once the broom is wound or tied, it is hand-stitched. After stitching, the broom is cut to length. The handle is then finished with two coats of furniture-grade lacquer. A leather thong is attached for a hanger and the broom is then complete."

With the encouragement of Kentuck's founder Georgine Clarke, George first exhibited at the Kentuck Festival of the Arts in 1992. In 1996, George was named a Master Craftsman by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.  In 2007, George received a Heritage Crafts Fellowship from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.  Each year only two Alabama artists are awarded this honor. Festival guests can expect to see him demonstrating his craft at the 54th Kentuck Festival of the Arts on October 11-12, 2025.

George's brooms are true works of art, so much so that some people choose to hang them on their walls, afraid to use and possibly damage them. But, George actually says the opposite: he encourages people to use the brooms regularly, stating proudly, "They only get better the more they are used."

To learn more about George and his family's four-generation broommaking tradition, listen to season 3 episode 1 of Alabama Folklife Association's podcast, "Alabama Folk." The episode is titled: "My Brooms Are Me: A Fourth Generation Broommaker in the Shoals."

From The Earth: Broom Traditions is on view in Kentuck Art Center’s Museum Gallery until May 31, 2025. Regular Gallery Shop hours are Monday-Friday, 9:30-5:00, Saturday 12-4pm, and closed Sunday. See something you're interested in purchasing? Give us a call at 205-758-1257 or email us at kentuck@kentuck.org. Our staff is happy to help!

A: The Hearth Hand Tie Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County Mule Hames handles circa 1900's, 9" x 40.5", EX-GJJ-01, $84

C: The Hearth Hand-Tie Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Elm handle, 7" x 36", EX-GJJ-11, $52

D: The Shaker Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Elm handle, 13" x 60", EX-GJJ-12, $92

E: The Hearth Hand-Tie Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with recycled Oak chair leg, 9.5" x 39", EX-GJJ-20, $52

F: The Hearth Hand-Tie Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with a Broom corn stalk braided handle, 9" x 32.5", EX-GJJ-22, $60

I: Round Table Whisk Broom, George Jones Jr., Dyed Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County, 5.5" x 13", EX-GJJ-16, $25

J: Round Table Whisk Broom, George Jones Jr., Dyed Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County, 4.5" x 13", EX-GJJ-17, $25

M: The Shaker Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with a Broom corn stalk braided handle, 12" x 59", EX-GJJ-03, $175

Q: The Spider Web Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with 1940's  Croquet Handle, 3" x 49", EX-GJJ-40, $36

R: The Spider Web Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Hickory handle, 3" x 61", EX-GJJ-37, $36

S: The Wound Hearth Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County, 8" x 31", EX-GJJ-05, $34

V: The Shaker Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Elm handle, 13" x 58.5", EX-GJJ-08, $92

W: The Hearth Hand-Tie Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with a Broom corn stalk braided handle, 7.5" x 41", EX-GJJ-09, $72

X: The Shaker Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Ambrosia Maple handle, 13" x 61", EX-GJJ-10, $125

Y: The Hearth Hand-Tie Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with 1930's Croquet handle, 7" x 41", EX-GJJ-21, $52

Z: The Hearth Hand-Tie Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with 1950's Croquet handle, 8" x 40.5", EX-GJJ-23, $46

AA: The Hearth Hand-Tie Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Oak handle, 8" x 38", EX-GJJ-24, $46

BB: The Hearth Hand-Tie Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with 1890's spindle handle from Mobile AL, 8" x 39", EX-GJJ-25, $60

DD: The Hearth Hand Tie Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Elm handle, 10" x 30", EX-GJJ-27, $46

EE: The Shaker Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Elm handle, 14" x 56", EX-GJJ-28, $86

FF: The Wound Kitchen Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Oak handle, 12" x 54", EX-GJJ-29, $86

GG: The Shaker Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Oak handle, 12.5" x 61.5", EX-GJJ-30, $86

HH: The New England Round Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Oak handle, 5" x 61", EX-GJJ-31, $86

II: The Wound Kitchen Broom, George Jones Jr., Dyed Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Sycamore handle, 11" x 54", EX-GJJ-32, $36

JJ: The Wound Kitchen Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Sycamore handle, 11" x 54", EX-GJJ-33, $36

KK: The Wound Kitchen Broom, George Jones Jr., Dyed Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Sycamore handle, 11" x 54", EX-GJJ-34, $36

LL: The Spider Web Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Driftwood handle, 3.5" x 58", EX-GJJ-41, $32

NN: The Spider Web Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with 1890's stain spindle handle, 2.5" x 54", EX-GJJ-39, $38

OO: The Spider Web Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Spiral Pine handle torched to bring out the grain, 2" x 58", EX-GJJ-38, $36

Sold: Round Table Whisk Broom, George Jones Jr., Dyed Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County, 4" x 12", EX-GJJ-13, $25

Sold: Round Table Whisk Broom, George Jones Jr., Dyed Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County, 4" x 12.5", EX-GJJ-15, $25

Sold: The Cake Tester Broon, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County, 5" x 12", EX-GJJ-19, $14

Sold: The Hearth Hand Tie Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County Mule Hames handles circa 1900's, 9.5" x 41", EX-GJJ-02, $84

Sold: The Hearth Hand-Tie Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with deer antler handle, 9" x  28", EX-GJJ-07, $64

Sold: The Shaker Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with a Cedar handle, 14" x 51", EX-GJJ-04, $100

Sold: The Shaker Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Sycamore handle, 12.5" x  52.5", EX-GJJ-06, $100

Sold: The Shaker Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with Elm handle, 13" x 61.5", EX-GJJ-26, $92

Sold: The Spider Web Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County 1960's  Croquet Handle, 3" x 50", EX-GJJ-35, $36

Sold: The Spider Web Broom, George Jones Jr., Traditional Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County with laser engraved sycamore handle, 2.5" x 56", EX-GJJ-36, $36

Sold: The Turkey Wing Whisk Broom, George Jones Jr., Dyed Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County, 9" x 14", EX-GJJ-14, $25

Sold: The Turkey Wing Whisk Broom, George Jones Jr., Dyed Broom Corn grown in Lauderdale County, 8" x 14", EX-GJJ-18, $25