Community Partners
At each Spring and Fall Fair, community partners offer demonstrations and educational information in their booths. We invite you to visit our partners, virtually or in person:
The mission of the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, TN is to promote excellence in American craft by teaching both tradition and innovation in professional studio craft, and fostering access to the highest quality craft education, craft artists, craft works and events in a community arts context. Visit their website for more information on current exhibits, programs for school, as well as scholarships and summer programs.
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN is a community of individuals who seek meaningful arts and crafts experiences. The community includes people of all skill levels, ages and backgrounds. It includes makers, aspiring makers, skilled artists and craftspeople, appreciators of arts and crafts, and any individual who wants to be part of a dynamic and welcoming community. Visit their website to learn more about the Appalachian Craft Initiative, current exhibitions, community classes, and artists in residence.
Cheekwood is a 55-acre botanical garden and art museum located on the historic Cheek estate in Nashville, TN. Originally built as the home of Leslie and Mabel Cheek in 1929, Cheekwood is one of the finest examples of an American Country Place Era estate. Since being converted into a museum of art and botanical garden in 1960, Cheekwood has presented world-class art exhibitions, spectacular gardens and an historic estate unlike anything else. Its mission is to preserve Cheekwood as an historical landmark where beauty and excellence in art and horticulture stimulate the mind and nurture the spirit. Visit their website to learn more about current exhibitions, upcoming programming, and seasonal festivities.
For 95 years, John C. Campbell Folk School has transformed lives and brought people together in a nurturing environment for experiences in learning and community life that spark self-discovery. They offer year-round weeklong and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography and writing. All students and visitors are encouraged to become a part of the community through all-school activities such as concerts, dances, presentations and meals. Visit their website to learn more about this Brasstown, NC, treasure.
Shakerag Workshops, on the campus of St. Andrew’s Sewanee School in Monteagle, TN, began in 2004, with six classes in clay, digital arts, and book arts. From that small beginning, the program doubled in size with twelve classes offered in 2005 in book arts, clay, digital arts, papermaking, felting, and watercolor. Since those first years, each week, 50-65 participants gather to work together in small classes, enjoying the studio immersion and the relaxation that are afforded by being away from the daily concerns of one’s life. Participants of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience come to Shakerag—from beginners to professional studio artists, coming from near (Sewanee and Monteagle) and far (Hawaii, Switzerland, and England). During each Shakerag session a new community is created. Participants generally leave the mountain renewed and invigorated by their Shakerag experience. Visit their website to get more information about upcoming classes.
