Sally Wilkerson (born in 1919 in Palm Beach, Florida) spent most of her youth in Middlesboro, Kentucky, before attending and graduating from Berea College with a major in art in the 1930’s.  While at Berea, Wilkerson’s student labor positions included taxidermy work for the biology department and general labor in the art department.

Upon graduation from Berea, Wilkerson taught in public schools.  She returned to Berea College as a faculty member in 1946.  Her first appointment at the College included the teaching of art education courses and classes at Knapp Hall.  By 1952, Wilkerson’s teaching assignments included courses in weaving, General Studies-Humanities, and crafts and design at the Foundation School.

Wilkerson served as the coordinator of the Art Department’s exhibition program from 1971 to 1985.  In addition to her teaching, Wilkerson was a member of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen and of the Southern Highland Crafts Guild. She illustrated Dr. Willis Weatherford’s Pioneers of Destiny: The Romance of the Appalachian People, traveled widely, and served on numerous craft and textile boards during her tenure at Berea College (1946-1985).

Wilkerson passed away on March 7, 2012.