Unleash your creative side (everyone has one) this Inspire Your Heart with Art Day on Thursday, January 31, 2019, an annual time to reflect on art and how it inspires YOU. Paints, pencils, pens, mixed media, photographs, digital mediums…you name it — art is everywhere and runs rampant in the Great Smoky Mountains! Find inspiration from local crafters and gifted artists as well as picturesque nature all around, from snow-capped peaks to wondrous wildlife. Gatlinburg hosts a number of art galleries, studios, and even a national art and craft education center, making it a fantastic location to nurture your inner artist. Inspire Your Heart with Art Day or any day: sketch, craft, paint, and bring your wildest creations to life in the Smokies!
Arts and Crafts Community
As the largest organization of independent artisans in the United States, the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community is no doubt the first thing that comes to mind on Inspire Your Heart with Art Day in Gatlinburg. Nestled around an 8-mile loop road await more than 100 craftsmen and artists with traditional, inventive, and skillfully crafted art pieces. Not only pleasing to the eye, many crafts from this community are also functional, from handwoven baskets and brooms to pottery, quilts, and jewelry. There are even quaint cafés and eateries along the way to keep you energized for more art to come just down the road!
Fantastic Art Finds
- Stained-glass windows
- Metal sculptures
- Hand-carved critters
- Painted river rocks
- Watercolor masterpieces
- Rock candles
- Concrete statues
- Hand-thrown pottery
- Contemporary-fused glass art
- Handmade instruments
- Painted silk scarves
- Glass suncatchers
If these creative crafts really strike your fancy, be sure to visit Gatlinburg during the annual Easter Arts and Crafts Show, April 17-20 (Wednesday – Saturday). The local art is even more beautiful and impressive in person. Plus, admission is FREE!
Art Studio of the Smokies
Joined by a talented staff with 25+ years of experience, Art Studio of the Smokies is a booming art studio with an eye for detail and a heart for artists of all ages and experience levels. What you can imagine, you can create here — from watercolor masterpieces to digital designs to 3D sculptures! The studio offers paint parties, private lessons, portfolio development, birthday bashes, and more. Customization is the name of the game as every event or class held is catered to you. So, if you want to draw your favorite music artist, paint a fantasy landscape, 3D-sculpt a soaring eagle, or simply learn better ways to up your Instagram game with Photoshop, this is the place for you. Get inspired by hosting your own art party or plan a trip to the Smokies with your gal pals or best buds and let Art Studio of the Smokies take care of the nitty gritty.
Art Studio of the Smokies
1360 East Parkway, Suite 6
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865.325.1888
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
A national arts and crafts education center, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is a staple in the art world of the Smokies. Located in Gatlinburg and a mere mile from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this school ushers in boundless inspiration for new art pieces and crafty creations. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a novice with passion, Arrowmont welcomes you with open doors, offering workshops with the pros.
And if you’re not up for creating, their art galleries are open to the public Monday – Friday (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) and Saturday (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). See temporary exhibits plus the school’s permanent collection — featuring nearly 1,000 incredible works! The school has even begun a new initiative in 2019 to preserve and teach traditional Appalachian craft, making it a prime place to discover time-honored methods and learn Smoky Mountain history through art.
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
556 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865.436.5860
Impromptu Art Retreat
Feeling inspired? Pack your bags, book your cabin, and head to Gatlinburg for an impromptu art retreat in the Smokies with Cabins for YOU! After crafting and creating all day in town, venture back to your cabin escape for more doodling, journaling, drawing, and (most importantly) relaxing. Soak tired muscles in the steamy hot tub, sip wine by the stone fireplace, swap art hacks with your bestie before slipping into the king-size bed, and wake up to morning mountain views — filled with inspiration for a new masterpiece! From 1-14 bedrooms and budget friendly to luxury, we have the perfect cabin for YOU.
Inspire your heart with Smoky Mountain art by taking a spontaneous trip to Gatlinburg — gaze upon inspirational landscapes, visit galleries of all sorts, and learn from local crafters along the way!