The word “vacation” conjures up as many different scenarios as there are vacationers. Some people just want to get away from the stress of work, traffic and schedules, and relax by the beach or in a secluded mountain cabin. Others want excitement and find it in theme parks, outdoor adventures and the attractions and events of a big city. Still others want to go exploring whether it’s just down the road or in some exotic locale on the other side of the world. Whatever form they take, in the end, vacations allow us to immerse ourselves, even for a brief time, in locations, events and activities markedly different from those in our daily lives. While there is no single way to vacation, many people have begun looking for vacation experiences beyond the typical “see-do-shop” variety. Volunteer vacations, both in the United States and abroad, are becoming popular. During one- and two-week stays, volunteers help non-profit organizations and government agencies with a variety of projects, including community development, teaching and park trails maintenance.
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my wanting to have a different vacation experience and my choice to attend a woodturning workshop at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. While I ultimately chose to attend Arrowmont, my research turned up four other programs in the Smoky Mountains region that provide similar arts and crafts experiences:
1. Appalachian Center for Craft – If you’re looking for total immersion – and seclusion - Tennessee Tech University’s Appalachian Center for Craft might be just what you’re looking for. The Craft Center is located about six miles south of Interstate 40 near Smithville, TN. Programs include undergraduate and non-degree certificate programs, but also public workshops held throughout the year, evening, three-day and six-day workshops, and a three-week intensive held in June. Instruction is provided in blacksmithing, clay, fiber arts, glass, metals and wood. Room and board is available during the three-week June and six-day July sessions. During the Fall and Spring semesters, workshop students can choose from several motels and campsites nearby. Day visitors are welcome at the Craft Center where they can shop in the Center’s art gallery, tour the latest exhibition, have lunch and hike. There are also two annual events sponsored by the Craft Center – the Annual Celebration of Craft in April and the Annual Holiday Festival held the weekend after Thanksgiving.
2. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts - One of Gatlinburg, Tennessee's greatest treasures - and best-kept secrets - sits tucked away just off of the Parkway at stoplight #3. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts offers one- and two-week workshops for all skill levels in a variety of media. Originally founded by the Phi Beta Pi Fraternity in 1912 as a settlement school, by the 1970s, Arrowmont had become a place for artists to gather, learn and socialize. One- and two-week workshops are offered each year from May to October in clay, fiber and textiles, glass, metals and enamels, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, woodturning and woodworking. Arrowmont also offers several “special topics” workshops, including stone work, book making and animation. Accomodations are available in both historic and modern facilities. Family-style meals are served three times each day. Many students attend Arrowmont through the school’s work study program, trading one week of work for one week of class.
3. Dollywood Craft Preservation School – If you think Dollywood is about the razzle dazzle country queen with a good helping of hillbilly hokum, you’re right – mostly. But tucked up behind the growing number of thrill rides, eateries, shops and stage shows are a group of craftspeople demonstrating blacksmithing, wood carving, candle making and more. I have found several accounts online about the school, but cannot find specific information on the Dollywood web site. Unlike the other schools, visitors to Dollywood can only take a weekend workshop in several craft areas. In some way, I can understand the "secrecy" of not wanting to advertise the workshops too much. I'm not sure the park could accommodate the thousands of people who might think they want to take a workshop, but who might not find it as fun as, say, riding the roller coaster. If you're planning a trip to Dollywood and want to try your hand at some mountain crafts without the larger expense of a week-long workshop, you can call the main number at 1-800-365-5996 for more information.
4. John C. Campbell Folk School – Much like Arrowmont, the John C. Campbell Folk School was begun to educate local residents and to preserve the mountain craft heritage of the region. The school is located in Brasstown, NC, just east of Murphy, NC. Campbell offers over 860 one-week and weekend workshops each year, according to their web site. Like the other schools, Campbell offers many crafts, like blacksmithing, weaving, woodturning and quilting. They also offer a unique variety of other heritage arts and crafts, including cooking, storytelling, dance and nature studies. Room and board is available on campus, and there are many opportunities for socializing during the week. Day visitors are welcome and can tour the school’s museum, shop, walk the campus’ nature trails, and, with reservations, have lunch with students, faculty and staff.
5. Penland School of Crafts – With a history dating back to the 1920s, Penland School of Crafts is located northeast of Asheville, NC and offers another unique learning vacation experience. Each summer, the school offers 98 one- or two-week classes in books and paper, clay, drawing and painting, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking, textiles, wood, and other media. In the fall and spring, the school offers eight-week “intensives,” plus several other residency programs for more serious craft students. Here, too, accommodations and meals are available, although all of Penland’s dormitory-style housing is not air-conditioned. Day visitors are welcome.
I should mention that there is another “collection” of arts and crafts schools located in New England, plus one other I found in Arkansas. Do you know of other similar arts and crafts programs in the United States or in other countries? Would you take a vacation like this?
I should also say that I am, in no way, affiliated with any of these organizations, especially Dollywood, other than being a student at Arrowmont and a visitor at John C. Campbell. I have tried to provide the most accurate information about each organization (notice there are no published costs), but please check the web site of each organization or call them for the most up-to-date information.
