At Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, discover a diverse collection of creative goods!
By Julie Matthews
The Tennessee Smokies is known for its love of the arts, from musical performances and theatrical shows to artwork and crafts. The area’s artisans and their talented work are showcased and supported year-round at numerous craft shows, shops and events throughout the region. Gatlinburg in particular has a strong arts community. In addition to the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts being located there, the town is also home to the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, the largest independent organization of artisans in the nation, which has been growing strong for over 80 years.
Within the vicinity of an 8-mile loop is a special community of more than 100 artists and craftsmen, with the addition of restaurants, lodging and even a trolley runs through the area. At Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, discover a diverse collection of creative goods such as paintings, jewelry, pottery, quilts, leather, sculptures, glass, baskets, wood carving and much, much more!
The shops and galleries clustered in this one-of-a-kind art community will surely have something interesting for everybody. Take an afternoon to meet artists, watch demonstrations, learn about different types of craftsmanship and even try your hand at creating works of art all of your own.
During the holiday season, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community hosts the following events, so be sure to mark your calendars.
Thanksgiving Arts & Craft Show
November 21 – 26, 2023 / Free Admission
Gatlinburg Convention Center:
234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm.
The Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show runs from November 21 – 26, 2023. Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual Thanksgiving show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community is the nation’s largest organization of independent artisans makes its home in Gatlinburg, TN.
The Tennessee artist and craftsmen here create beautiful and useful things with techniques handed down for decades. Find gorgeous quilts, old-fashioned straw brooms with hand-carved handles, exquisitely woven baskets, hand-dipped scented candles, Victorian ceramic pitchers, pottery, dulcimers, stuffed bears, leather vests, and more. There is handmade jewelry unlike any you’ll find back home. Painters capture scenes of landscapes and mountain life, while potters and weavers work magic with clay and cloth.
Christmas Arts & Craft Show
November 27 – December 3, 2023 / Free Admission
Gatlinburg Convention Center:
234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm.
The Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Crafts Show runs from November 27 – December 3, 2023. Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual Christmas show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community is the nation’s largest organization of independent artisans makes its home in Gatlinburg, TN.
The Tennessee artist and craftsmen here create beautiful and useful things with techniques handed down for decades. Find gorgeous quilts, old-fashioned straw brooms with hand-carved handles, exquisitely woven baskets, hand-dipped scented candles, Victorian ceramic pitchers, pottery, dulcimers, stuffed bears, leather vests, and more. There is handmade jewelry unlike any you’ll find back home. Painters capture scenes of landscapes and mountain life, while potters and weavers work magic with clay and cloth.
For more information, visit GreatSmokyArtsandCrafts.com.
