Want to Get Away from The Parkway? Try the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community

Nestled in a quiet area in Gatlinburg away from all the commotion of downtown, is a community of artists known for their extraordinary creativity. The Arts and Crafts Community is sometimes a forgotten gem for would-be tourists to the area just based on its location. But that would leave out an important piece of your vacation. The Arts and Crafts loop is just a few miles east of Gatlinburg, as its beginning is located at the big sign that greets you just before a turn onto Glades Road.

What you will find along this 8 mile journey is a large group of galleries and shops that are owned by artisans who create everything from elaborate pottery to beautiful paintings. Also there are cooks with cafes and candy shops--many of whom are well-versed in home cooking methods using local ingredients to delight guests to a one-of-a-kind southern specialty. The following is a tour of what you can expect to find, and how this area came to be such a hotbed for creativity.

Most of the people who got this community thriving spent most of their time working in downtown Gatlinburg; then, they decided with all the tourism that was expected to make the town a bustling hub of activity, it would be better for them just to stay home and work on their own creations. With the familiar historical names of Whaley, Ogle, Huskey, and McCarter making up the early days of the community, it is easy to realize that these talents were passed down generations. Talents such as woodcarving, broom-making, and weaving make it evident that it was something of a necessity for early settlers, and their children learned these skills making it unsurprising that such a community of artists would exist in current-day Gatlinburg. The fact that tourism became a vital part of the economy is also a credit to the continued--and growing--impact it had on families who decided to go into business here. It also explains the number of artists from other areas who decided that this was an ideal location to set up shop and sell their works of art. 

Because of this, The Arts and Crafts Community in Gatlinburg has been recognized and designated as a Tennessee Heritage Arts and Crafts Trail. It is the largest group of independent artists and craftspeople in the country--boasting over 120 in number. Don’t feel like you’re imposing when you show up to one of their shops; they want you to come in, even if it is their home. They work hard daily at their craft and welcome their guests as if they were family visiting them, so say hello and thank them. If you like what you see in their shops and decide it’s worthy of a purchase, you’ll be grateful knowing you helped that person to continue doing what they love, plus you’ll have a souvenir that you can’t possibly find anywhere else. 

The only downside to arriving in this respected community is the unexpected nature of some of their business hours. Some have set times they are open, but many open on a whim, so it’s not unnatural for a business to not be open when you visit--even if it’s during the week in the afternoon. Don’t be discouraged by this fact. There are plenty of shops that WILL be open if you are still on the hunt for that one treasure you have to have before leaving town. Who knows, maybe they will be open another day on your trip. Usually they will leave a note on their door apologizing for inadvertently inconveniencing you and will list the next available time they will open again. 

One place in the Arts and Crafts Community that has been loved by visitors for decades is Alewine Pottery. Robert Alewine, and son Mark, have been sharing their pottery work to happy guests who love good pottery when it comes into view. It’s truly a friendly place to visit with their impressive selection of dishes, bowls, mixers, and mugs--just a few of the offerings for sale and bringing a smile to your face when you see the quality.

If you’ve ever visited Pigeon River Pottery at the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, this place would probably be its equal in terms of quality and variety. You will notice Robert’s Signature collection throughout the store as well: this features leaves, trees, and cabins on the pieces of pottery. This is especially popular during the fall season as the leaves become the star of the show during this time--attracting a throng of visitors.

If you would like to look at Alewine Pottery’s magnificent selection before visiting, never fear, they have quite the following on Facebook and other platforms on social media. Their website even gives some insight into the process of pottery making--and pricing on their various items that are suitable in every room of your house. Go to alewinepottery.net for a look at their online shop.

Along Glades Road you will find a few areas where you can park and walk to a variety of shops. This makes it a bit easier on you and your car from having to constantly get in and out of your vehicle to stop at isolated locations on the loop. One such location is The Covered Bridge in the Glades. Acting as a dual-part residential and retail area, it provides a way for artists to rent a space while opening up their shop right there too. Here, you will find a beautiful courtyard where you can park your car and walk to the different shops and grab a bite to eat at a few cafes that offer guests a respite from the shopping. 

Split Rail Eats is one place at The Covered Bridge that offers traditional American cuisine with a touch of Southern flair. Pimento Cheese and Southern Fried Pickles are always easy choices for the regional visitor, but if you’re not familiar with these popular preparations, you’ll surely not be disappointed. Their mission is simple: to make you happy and give you a taste of good home-cooking. You are considered family, and it’s so nice when shop owners appreciate every single soul that walks through the door.

Located in the Morning Mist Village is Sparky’s Glassblowing. Sparky Neumeier’s job as a welder provided the ideal foundation for his foray into the precise art of glassblowing. Even though he grew up in Ohio, the Smoky Mountains called him, and he began to take an interest in the art form. Under the tutelage of local artisan, Jack Hess, Sparky now uses propane tanks and glass rods to make various creative pieces that include birds, bears, and trees. He also hasn’t let his color blindness compromise his work; his wife, Marsha, serves as his happy assistant in making sure pieces are labeled properly for him and helps paint many of his glass creations. One way Sparky shows his compassion is by giving away free glass ornaments for those that have or currently are serving in the military. That’s just one of the many reasons to shop in his store on your visit to Gatlinburg.

The Cliff Dwellers Gallery is an impressive chalet style of architecture that is rivaled only by the artwork that sits inside. While it was built in the 1930’s in downtown Gatlinburg--and owned by artist, Louis E. Jones--recently it was restored by another local artist, Jim Gray, and moved to its present location here in The Arts and Crafts Community. The Gallery is owned by six artists, and they, in turn, have opened up their space to some 60 different local artists to display their own creations. Some of the work by area artisans include such work as stained glass, pottery, rugs, baskets, and soft sculptured dolls. The building’s grounds--like many in the Smoky Mountains and the Glades--are very beautiful with the many flowers of the area blooming in the Spring. It should also be mentioned that the people that run the Gallery also love to make baked goods for their many guests during the year, so if you don’t already have a reason to go, this may entice you.

Jim Gray was not only responsible for the Cliff Dwellers Gallery, but he also has a shop in the Community in a 100 year old church building. Anyone with a good grasp on the history of East Tennessee is at least familiar with the contributions Jim Gray has made, either from his wonderful paintings, to his sculptures, which are located in plain sight to thousands of people every day--a sculpture of Dolly Parton and two of former President, Andrew Johnson. Jim Gray is recognized as not just a Tennessee artist, but as a national artist--all while being inspired by the Smokies from a visit he took in young adulthood. This has lead to thousands of paintings of land and seascapes--his true passion--and also sculptures.

He won countless awards as an artist, been featured in numerous magazines, and had requests to do artwork until his passing in 2019. Take a step inside his gallery to get a sense of what a true American artist like Jim Gray has churned out with his different paintings, or check out his website, in the meantime, at www.jimgraygallery.com. 

If somehow you can’t make it out to the Arts and Crafts Community, you will be happy to know that many of these artisans are at the Convention Center in downtown Gatlinburg several times during the year for The Craftsmen’s Fair. These fairs are a great way to introduce you to the artists who make these handcrafted items and possibly make you aware of what the Arts and Crafts loop is, since many people wander in off the Parkway sometimes just to get out of the cold or hot weather outside.

These shows are held seasonally, and while most of them are free, at times there is a fee for the larger shows that draw artists from areas all over the south. Once again, you are treated as if you are stepping into these artists’ shops, as they will have some of their work on hand for you to peruse, and their southern hospitality will make you happy you decided to spend your time here. Of course, for those that make candy as part of their business, samples can be tasted before you ultimately decide to take out your purse or wallet.

The Arts and Crafts Community has a rich heritage that dates back to the pioneer days of the pre-Revolutionary War period, and many of these artisans have roots to this era. This is not the only reason why it’s so important to visit this talented group of artists. You simply can’t find this kind of craftsmanship anywhere else in the South; many would argue that it is unmatched anywhere in the country.

While the wildfires that hit in November 2016  tragically affected so many lives in the Gatlinburg area, it largely spared The Arts and Crafts Community, but it’s aftermath has taken a toll on some of the businesses—a few have had to close their doors. Much of the existing businesses’ time and efforts have gone toward making sure people understand that they are still here. It is no secret that many potential visitors to the area were under the impression Gatlinburg was totally devastated when the fires ravaged the area--and didn’t give another thought toward coming here. The best thing you can do is support the local business, especially the good folks in this esteemed community in any way you can, whether it’s word of mouth or buying one of their handmade items. This will ensure that The Arts and Crafts Community remains a vital part of the area economy and preserving the traditions and talents that have been passed down the family tree for hundreds of years.