Learn About the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community

Do you enjoy shopping in Gatlinburg on your vacation? Then you probably know about some of the top destinations along the Strip, like The Village Shops, Baskins Square, and The Mountain Mall. But have you strayed away from downtown Gatlinburg and ventured out to a hidden gem where you’ll find the most unique items to bring home as a memory of your adventures? If you’ve never been to the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, you need to visit the next time in town. But first, learn all about this interesting collection of talents and why you should add it to your itinerary!

History of the Community

As hospitality and tourism grew with the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so did the opportunities for locals. They had gifts to share with the world, and that’s exactly what they did. Shops were opened, and people came in droves after hearing about locally crafted sculptures, photography, jewelry, and much more.

As people continued to visit the collection of shops, lodging and eateries joined the community to create the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community people know and love today. There are over 96 artists and craftsmen in the area, and you’ll find unique skills many people believe to be lost to us today. They’re just harder to find, but you’ll find them here!

Shops You’ll Find in the Community

This Gatlinburg community is full of diverse skills and wares. So if you want a preview of what to expect when you visit in person, here are some of the shops you will find along the 8-mile loop in the Glades area:

Baskets, Brooms, and Chair Caning

Think basket weaving is a lost art? It’s actually not, and you’ll be impressed by the craftsmanship you’ll find in these shops. You can find baskets, brooms, and chair caning at:

• Fox Creek Baskets and Woodworking
• Fox Hollow Creations
• Highland Craft Gallery
• Lee Manis
• Licklog Hollow Baskets
• Ogle Broom Shop

Candles

Want your home to smell heavenly and support local artists? Check out these candle shops in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community:

• Candles by Dick & Marie
• Earthworks
• Rock Candles
• Lorelei Candles
• More Than a Candle
• Village Candles

Glass

Glass blowing isn’t a lost craft, and you’ll find some of the most beautiful creations at these glass shops:

• Firefly Glass Studio
• Hills Creek Gallery & Glass Studio
• Love Life Live Life
• Make It Magic
• Sparky’s Glass Blowing
• Talking Turkey Studio

Leather

Leather goods are still in demand, but you won’t find very many people who know how to work with this material. Check out these leather shops in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community.

• Craftsman in Leather by Gary McCoy
• Into the West Leather
• Smoky Mountain Leather & Woodcrafters
• The Leather Works

Jewelry

People have been creating and crafting handmade jewelry for centuries, and the pieces you will find in these shops are unmatched.

• Fleur De Vie Gallery
• Love Life Live Life
• Smoky Mountain Gold
• Tahiti Beads
• The Smiths
• Wire Wonders

Pottery and Ceramics

When your eyes settle on these handmade pottery pieces, you’ll want to take all of them home. There’s something about each piece being crafted by a pair of hands that just doesn’t compare to the commercially made pieces.

• Alewine Pottery
• Black Bear Crafts
• Buie Pottery
• Fowler’s Clay Works
• Gatlinburg Ceramics
• Judy Jones Pottery
• Rocky Flats Pottery
• Treasuries in Earthen Vessels

Painting & Fine Art

Want to fill your home with gorgeous Smoky Mountain paintings or photos? You can get those jaw-dropping pieces and support local artists at these stores:

• A. Jann Peitso Art
• Adkins Rollman Gallery
• Beech Branch Crafts & Art Gallery
• Brushworks & Wonderworks of the Smokies
• Cliff Dwellers Gallery
• Doug Benz Gallery
• Dream Painters
• Jim Gray Gallery
• Louise Bales
• Pat K. Thomas
• Terri Waters Gallery
• Vern Hippensteal Gallery

Wood Crafts

One of the most popular types of shops in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is woodworking and carving. Here are the talented wood workers you can’t miss seeing:

• Joe Compton Woodworking
• Ownby’s Woodcrafts
• The Wood Whittlers
• Whaley Woodcrafts

Quilting

One art that seemingly is lost to most people is quilting, or sewing in general. But at these stores, you will find beautiful quilts that will last many lifetimes.

• Apple Annies
• Holloway’s Country Home
• Mountain Stitches by Susan
• Pat K. Thomas

Although this isn’t a comprehensive list of all of the shops, restaurants, and places to visit in the community, you have an idea of what to expect when you go. Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is an impressive collection of talented people who would love to show you their passions, and you can take them home to be a part of yours. While you can spend quite a few hours touring this area, we know you want to fill your trip with other fun experiences as well. Check out these other Gatlinburg attractions to add to your list of things to do!