If you like to browse and shop for arts and crafts items, early Spring is a good time to visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This is when the annual Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show takes place. Whether you are looking for a thoughtful gift, items to enhance your own home or simply want to browse and appreciate the skills it takes to produce unique crafts, this is your chance to see the work of more than 100 artists and artisans as Spring and Easter approach.
Carrying on Tradition
The Great Smoky Mountains and Appalachians is a region that’s rich in history and traditional crafts. Many residents carry on this tradition and make arts and crafts that visitors can admire and purchase. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, the largest group of independent artisans in North America, gives you many ways to appreciate the skills of these artists.
The wares of these skilled artisans are on display throughout the year in local shops and art galleries. Just three miles from downtown Gatlinburg is the 8 Mile Trail Loop, which consists of dozens of shops and galleries featuring paintings, pottery, holiday gifts, candles, handcrafted tools, glassworks and much more. Many visitors to the Smoky Mountains spend hours on this Loop checking out the fascinating items on display. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community also puts on special events where you can see all of these arts and crafts in one location. One of these events is the Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show.
The Event
The Easter Arts & Crafts show boasts a wide array of arts and crafts, including pottery, woodcarving, candle-making, quilting, weaving, broom-making, painting, and more. Free, friendly demos are part of the show. There will be food as well, including delicious honey, fudge, jellies and other local specialties. Watch artisans expertly weave baskets, and then wander the aisles to pick out authentic Smoky Mountain gifts and mementos created by Smoky Mountain artisans. You’ll find unique items you won’t find anywhere else in the country.
Don’t be shy: The artisans love to talk about their craft, and they’re happy to answer questions. You’ll be leaving this craft show with new knowledge if nothing else!
The Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show takes place from March 12-15, 2017 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in downtown Gatlinburg. Admission is free.
