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Most anyone who ever knew Sammie Nicely was left by a pleasant and long lasting memory. In his time he was found throughout the region often teaching younger folks how to expand their thinking by using art. Sammie was an intelligent gentle soul with a mind filled with creativity, and who, upon leaving for another project, would leave behind people who were inspired by having worked with him.

Jovita Wells, who has know Sammie since the second grade and who has followed his career, tells that he was always a kind and intelligent person who found worth in almost everyone. She has continued from those days as a close friend and proponent for Nicely and knows of his extensive background.

Samuel Louis “Sammie” Nicely (1947-2015) was born in Russellville and would receive his education locally before graduating from Middle Tennessee State University, where art was his central point of study. That would be followed by graduate work in sculpture at Arrowmount School of Art and Crafts in Gatlinburg.

Following graduation, he would use his skills to celebrate his heritage as an African-American man from Appalachia, along with a nod toward Native Americans. He counted himself as a contemporary folk artist and his works are an extension of his life and studies.

Following his schooling, Sammie would have extensive experiences as a teacher over a vast array of students that would range from grade schools through colleges.

Along with his work with young public school students, he would work with Walters State, and in 1980 he would exhibit some of his work at East Tennessee State University. There he would do a demonstration for a family day event, using clay as a medium.

Locally, Sammie would be a co-founder of the “From Africa to Appalachia to Appalachia” foundation. That work would result in an annual celebration for Morristown’s Rose Center.

In 2014 he would be named as the Artist in Residence for ETSU’s Reese Museum, where he would initiate a program to bring museum artifacts into local school rooms where he would work with the students studying the artifacts to create their own responsive interpretations. Their work would result in an exhibition entitled “Exhuberance: Kids make Art about Art.”

Sammie Nicely would pass away I 2015 and ETSU’s Reece Museum is currently celebrating and remembering his life in a display of his work and time entitled “An Exuberant Spirit – the Sammie L. Nicely Collection”, which is now on display at the museum.

The exhibit included 50 works from Nicely’s personal collection which were donated by family to the museum, along with added pieces from friends and others which would grow to 138 works of his various media.

The display will be open through October 13.

Sammie’s cultural heritage would lead him to self-identify as an African American and as a man from Appalachia who would work as a contemporary folk artist with a unique aesthetic which is evident in his work and in the collection.

Exhibition Coordinator Spencer Bremmer had worked with Nicely during his residency and would remember that “witnessing the effect Sammie had on young artist and the work they produced was amazing. The energy in the work was palpable and exuberant.. With this exhibition it feels like we’ve been able to come full circle to honor Sammie, his art, his collection, and his spirit.”

Education is more that memorizing a series of facts, it should also include nurturing the ability to think outside the box. Sammie brought that skill into his teaching.