It is difficult to separate Doug Branton, the teacher, from Doug Branton, the artist craftsman, because he is a dedicated worker in both categories. He is constantly experimenting to produce some of the most unusual and difficult art works. But his working knowledge covers every facet of industrial arts: leather, clay, design, wood, metals, jewelry, and photography. Computer graphics has become an important part of Doug’s art experience while teaching classes in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.

Doug began his career in art while still in high school, and then attended Appalachian State University and received both a B.S. and M.S. Degree in Industrial Arts. Doug continued his education and received an Ed.S. Degree from Virginia Tech. Doug has attended many classes at art schools like Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts affiliated with the University of Tennessee, and the Cedar Lakes Art Center located in West Virginia.

Doug has been teaching for thirty-three years and is Associate Professor of Arts and Crafts at Southwest Virginia Community College.