Living less than 45 minutes from the Arts & Craft Community http://www.gatlinburgcrafts.com/ near Gatlinburg, has made this a destination on many a day trip for Shirl & I. We consider ourselves to be very much "right brain" people, so we really appreciate the beautiful art & craft work found in this area as well as the interesting people that can be found behind each inspired piece of work. We have a friend, Andrea Wilson http://andreawilsonartist.com/, who works out of the Turtle Hollow studio (see picture below) that does some of the finest ink drawings of leaves that you will ever see. Andrea also does etchings and paintings of butterflys and flowers. She has also won numerous awards. I worked with Andrea's husband, David, an architect also, for many years at TVA.
What I find really interesting about the arts & craft community is the peaceful surroundings where these folks ply their trade and find their inspiration. Some of them work out of their houses while others will share studio space in commercially developed projects with other like minded individuals. Another one of our favorite shops and studio is the Cliff Dwellers seen in the photo below. If you do stop, say hello to Louise, an extremely talented lady who does beautiful drawings of birds. You will think that you have known Louise forever after talking to her for just a few minutes.
What I find really interesting about the arts & craft community is the peaceful surroundings where these folks ply their trade and find their inspiration. Some of them work out of their houses while others will share studio space in commercially developed projects with other like minded individuals. Another one of our favorite shops and studio is the Cliff Dwellers seen in the photo below. If you do stop, say hello to Louise, an extremely talented lady who does beautiful drawings of birds. You will think that you have known Louise forever after talking to her for just a few minutes.
To get to the arts & crafts community, take 321N from Gatlinburg and turn onto state rd. 454, which is Buckhorn Rd. One of the first studios that you will come to is called Turtle Hollow. Just keep following this road and you'll be directed to numerous other studios and eating establishments in the area. The picture shown below is Jim Grey's Gallery http://jimgraygallery.com/ where you will find some excellent paintings of the Great Smoky Mountains and other subjects as well. If you are coming from I-40 around Newport, Tn., take 321S and turn right onto Buckhorn Rd. or state rd. 454.
If you are really hungry and looking for an outstanding meal after an afternoon of exploring this unique area, you need to go to the Greenbrier Restaurant http://www.greenbrierrestaurant.com/. From the arts & craft community, head back south on 321 toward Gatlinburg, then turn left at traffic light no. 2A and drive approx. 3/10 mile up the hill that will deadend into the Greenbrier Restaurant parking lot. The Greenbrier has a dining area with a glass wall overlooking the mountain forest, which makes for a great atmosphere. They don't open until 5pm for dinner, so work up a good appetite during the day before going.
A day in the Arts & Craft Community is well worth your time. You will come away being inspired by the people and the surroundings and refreshed enough to go back to your everyday existence. You may even have thoughts that maybe it's time to escape from the "ratrace" and smell those roses afterall.
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