Ashton Ludden lives and works in Knoxville, TN as an artist, educator, and community builder. She has a BFA in Engraving Arts & Printmaking from Emporia State University and a MFA in Printmaking from the University of Tennessee. Ludden specializes in the traditional crafts of wood and metal hand-engraving, printmaking, drawing, sign painting, and weaving.
Ludden is the founder, director, and artist at Relay Ridge, a collaborative artist space in Knoxville where fellow local artists have access to private studios, a gallery, and a community printshop. This space has grown into a rich community of artists needing affordable access to printmaking equipment and education, flexible gallery space, and affordable studios.
She is enthusiastic about sharing her artistic processes and has taught in various capacities outside of her studio practice. She teaches printmaking at Knoxville’s Community School of the Arts, a non-profit offering free art classes to low income families. Ludden also teaches at TN Governor’s School for the Arts, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, Relay Ridge, and recently taught at the University of Tennessee in spring 2024. She was the 2D Artist Coordinator for the Pentaculum Artist Residency (both winter and spring) at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts from 2016-2024
When she’s not in her studio or tricking others into liking printmaking, you’ll likely find her hiking with her dog in the Cumberland Plateau, laughing with her partner Andrew, napping with her cat in the sun, or talking about trees.