Call 1-800-808-3903
Posted by Jon Hoffman in Smoky Mountains
"If art has a purpose, it is to interpret life; reproduce it in fresh visions." Catherine Dinken Bowen
If your creative energy is spent shaping crafts of any kind, you can indulge your passion with likeminded folk while on vacation in your Pigeon Forge cabin. Sevier County is blessed with many talented artists, both homegrown and transplanted from all over the globe. Here's a summary of some locations of interest where imagination can be found.
Want to improve your own creative skills? Try a new medium and enhance your personal artistry? Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is located in downtown Gatlinburg, and hosts visiting artists throughout the year at various functions. Five artist galleries and the artist-in-residence studios are open to viewing by the public. Evening presentation events and the library and resource center are also accessible. Visit the campus store for uncommon pieces and other items of interest. Arrowmont's website is full of great information, so plan ahead and take a class!
If you would rather see others in action with plenty of opportunity for purchasing unique items, visit the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community Trail, located off Highway 321 on Glades Road, 3 miles outside of Gatlinburg. This 8-mile loop is the largest group of independent artisans in North America, over 120 studios using all forms of media. I have blogged about this great destination in the past (see archives June 6, 2013); it is definitely worth the trip and is a great way to shop locally.
http://www.gatlinburgcrafts.com/map.html
Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair brings the craftsmen to the public twice annually in the summer and fall. This year's dates are July 18-27, 2014, and October 9-26, 2014. If you are visiting during these dates, take advantage of this trade show-style event with both local and visiting artisans from all over the country. Don't miss these hugely popular events, located at the downtown Gatlinburg Convention Center.
In Pigeon Forge, Dollywood's Craftsmans Valley is actually a great location for daily artist demonstrations. See traditional crafts like wood carving, glass painting, candle making, and even more. Hot skills from master crafters like glass blowing and blacksmithing are also fascinating to watch, if you can pull the kids away from that next rollercoaster ride for a few moments.
In addition, the fall Harvest Celebration adds dozens of Celebration Crafters in booths throughout the park displaying a wide variety of skilled crafts. It's actually my favorite time to visit Dollywood: beautiful natural countryside in all its autumn splendor, with hand-crafted beauty also on display.
http://www.dollywood.com/themepark/crafters.aspx
http://www.dollywood.com/themepark/crafters/Harvest-Celebration-Crafters.aspx
For the kids, and also the kid in you, why not paint your own souvenir from your vacation? Visit the Ceramic Art Studio in Sevierville, located at 728 Parkway. Absolutely everyone can be an artist here. Choose your own piece from a broad selection of ceramic wares. All materials to paint and finish it are provided, along with basic instruction to get you started. The pieces are glazed and fired onsite, and can be picked up or shipped to your home address--no breakage worries! Group activities are also available. Consider a girls night out, a team building corporate activity, or a kid's party. Independently owned by friendly folk, they will gladly work with you to even bring a class to your group event location. For more information, check out this link: http://ceramicartstudio.com
So think about some art exploration while visiting this area of Tennessee. With a little planning, you can create your own one-of-a-kind piece, and maybe discover a talent you didn't know that you had. Take home an elegant memento of your visit. Even get a jump on Christmas shopping with "can't find it elsewhere" selections. Just another reason to love to return again to the Smokies: there's nowhere else quite like it. Reserve your stay with us today at Volunteer Cabin Rentals, and get your creative juices flowing soon!
Other blog categories:
Featured Cabin Gatlinburg National Park Pigeon Forge Places to Eat Sevierville Shopping Smoky Mountain Attractions Smoky Mountains Things To Do Volunteer Cabin Rentals Ways to Save Money Wears Valley