Traditions: Ohio Heritage Fellows; 102; Judy Sacks interview with Doug Unger, part 1 of 3

Q: First can you say your name and spell it for me?

JUDY: Uh, my name is Judy Sacks, J-U-D-Y S-A-C-K-S.

Q: What should we title you?

JUDY: Let’s see... Traditional Arts Consultant... Historian. Actually you know what, you can call me a Folklorist.

Q: Ok, why is Doug considered a master instrument maker?

JUDY: Doug has both the craft and the artistic sensibility that few people in this country do. Um, he is a traditional craftsperson because he follows the European apprenticeship model of how you learn to work with your hands with tools to make a beautiful object. Um, the objects that he makes are mandolins and banjos which we don’t think of as functional objects like chairs and furniture but it’s the same process where you learn hands on, one on one with a master artist. And ideally, if you reach a level of um, talent, you, yourself, become that master artist and train others.