Tag Archives: arts and crafts

Art in the Raw

Cliff Dwellers Crafts Co-op, Gatlinburg TNWhen I visited the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, I was particularly interested in the artists and crafts of the area. Fortunately, I got to see several artists in action. I’m fascinated with the raw materials of art–the backstage view before the finished product.

On the auto tour of crafts just outside Gatlinburg, we visited Cliff Dwellers, a historic building inhabited by a co-op of artists. In addition to a very tempting gift shop, you’ll always find someone working there. Be sure to go around the building and up to the 2nd floor for the artist’s studios. Teresa Tyler, Basketmaker, worked away on a bowl-shaped basket, which she said she had to take apart once because it wasn’t coming out right. Continue reading Art in the Raw