© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A master of metal molds an apprentice of his art

Among the dozens of people plying their crafts here at the Great Lakes Folk Festival weekend are members of the Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program.  For 26 years, the Michigan State University Museum has supported master artists and their apprentices who keep our state’s artistic traditions alive. There are nine master and apprentice teams at this year’s festival.  Current State’s Kevin Lavery met one pair in a small mid-Michigan town who are turning scrap into sculpture.

Credit Kevin Lavery / WKAR
/
WKAR
Tim Higgins (left) and Sam Pettersen are metalsmiths...artisans of a craft that dates back 4,000 years.

Related Content
Every WKAR News story you read is rooted in fact-based, local journalism, produced without commercial influence and available for free to everyone in mid-Michigan. No paywalls. Ever.

But this work doesn’t fund itself. With significant cuts to federal funding, public media is facing a critical moment. If you believe in journalism that serves the public interest, now is the time to act. Donate today.