The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community – a collection of talented artisans along an 8-mile historic loop in Gatlinburg – is an important part of the Great Smoky Mountains. It started in the mid-1930s when the local craftsmen decided to work from their homes – where their tools were – instead of selling along the streets downtown. Woodcarver John Cowden was one of the first, and many artists began to follow suit, opening shops and studios next to (or inside of) their homes. As word spread, more and more visitors started coming to watch the craftsmen at work and buy their unique, handmade goods.
Over the past 80 years, the community has grown and become a staple on must-do lists for visitors in the Smokies. Today it’s home to more than 120 artists and craftsmen in an area that has been named a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail. No matter what time of year you’re visiting, plan to spend at least part of a day here. You can spend the afternoon driving around, walking from shop to shop, or taking a tour via the Arts & Crafts Trolley.
And for a special holiday treat – and to get back to the roots of selling in downtown Gatlinburg – the talented artists from the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community put on 3 crafts shows at the Gatlinburg Convention Center each year. Admission is FREE, and gives guests the opportunity to meet the artisans, watch them creating their one-of-a-kind pieces, and buy some awesome handmade gifts and goodies.
2017 Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show
If you’re here for the holidays, stop by for the Thanksgiving Craft Show (November 21-26, 2017) or the Christmas Craft Show (November 27-December 3). If you’re here this spring, make plans to be at the 2017 Easter Craft Show, April 12 – 15 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people, learn more about the history and arts of the area, and find some unique holiday gifts.
At the Easter Craft Show, find some beautiful pieces to add to your home, a unique centerpiece for Easter brunch, or a piece of pottery that will become a family heirloom. Among the booths, find:
- Watercolors
- Hand-thrown pottery
- Jellies and jams
- Christian artwork
- Handmade jewelry
- Leather goods
- Birdhouses
- Hand-carved items
- Custom knives
- Hand-poured candles
- Christmas ornaments
- Handbags, belts, and wallets
- Hand-weaved baskets
- Metal sculptures
- Instruments
- Clothing and accessories
- Glass pieces
- Homemade fudge and sweet treats
More Easter Events in the Smokies
Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
April 11 – 15 at the W.L. Mills Conference Center
–Classes, workshops, guided hikes, and more
Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny
April 15 at the Pigeon Forge Community Center
–Easter egg hunt, meet and greet with the Easter Bunny, and photo opportunities
Brunch with the Easter Bunny
April 15 at The Old Mill Pottery House Café & Grille
–Country cooking at The Old Mill, photo opportunities
Easter Sunrise at Ober
April 16 at Ober Gatlinburg
–Interdenominational service at sunrise at Ober Gatlinburg
Earth Day Festival
April 20 at Mynatt Park
–Kids’ activities, food and music, and fireworks
Earth Day 5K
April 21 – 22 at Mynatt Park
–Walk or run for a good cause
Spur Clean Up with Keep Sevier Beautiful
April 18 in The Spur area
–Help beautify the Smokies with a hands-on project
More Arts & Crafts in the Smokies
If you love the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community and want to explore a little more, there are plenty of other great galleries, workshops, and studios in the Smokies. Spend an afternoon at The Village Shops in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, where you can visit Alewine Pottery, The Lamplight Gallery, and Thomas Kinkade.
You can also spend a day exploring the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, where you can stroll the galleries or take weekend, 1-week, and 2-week classes, seminars, and workshops by talented artists. Some upcoming 2017 workshops include:
May 21 – 27
Woodturning, woodworking, textiles, fibers, metals, glass, ceramics, figurative ceramics, book arts, drawing/painting
May 28 – June 3
Woodturning, woodworking, textiles, metals, enamels, ceramics, drawing, paper arts
June 4 – 10
Woodturning, textiles, basketry, metals, enamels, ceramics, drawing/book arts, drawing/painting
June 11 – 17
Woodturning, woodworking, textiles, fibers, metals, encaustic, ceramics, bookmaking
June 18 – 24
Woodworking, textiles – dyeing, embroidery – mixed media, metals, enamels, ceramics, figurative ceramics, painting, printmaking
June 25 – July 8
Woodturning, woodworking, embroidery, Mokume-gane, enamels, pottery, ceramics/glass, drawing/painting, printmaking