I knew Gatlinburg by its reputation. The hiking routes. The scenic overlooks. And of course, the stretch of Parkway (U.S. 441) packed with family attractions — the aquarium, the mini-golf courses, the Ripley’s museums, the candy shops, the pancake houses. What I did not know is that just a few miles from all of that is an eight-mile loop that quietly holds one of the country’s largest independent arts communities. It is called the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, and it feels like stepping into the region’s creative backbone that’s been hiding in plain sight for generations.
I had just finished a hike when my hosts mentioned it, almost casually. “Next, we’re taking you to the loop,” they said. They kept describing art shops and ateliers, but I couldn’t imagine what it looked like amongst the highway that was flanked by the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains. But, as we drove along Tennessee State Route 321 (East Parkway), our host would point out different houses and buildings where third-generation makers and family studios have survived booms and busts. These galleries and shops shaped East Tennessee’s artistic identity long before Gatlinburg became a tourism powerhouse.
The community dates back to the 1930s, when local artisans formed a cooperative to sell their work in one place rather than hauling it into town. Nearly a century later, the loop is a rare example of a living craft ecosystem. But the thing is, you do not just buy art here. You meet the makers. The people who built it with their hands.
The Jim Gray Gallery: Where Tennessee’s Landscapes Live On
One of the first places I stopped was the Jim Gray Gallery, which feels as much like a tribute as it does a working studio. Jim Gray, one of Tennessee’s most beloved painters, passed away in 2019, but his presence is everywhere. His oils and watercolors capture East Tennessee the way locals feel it — not romanticized, but lived-in. Mountains softened by morning mist. Quiet river bends with a single boat pulled to shore. Bronze sculptures that feel carved from the same Appalachian ground he spent decades studying. Once you know the signature style of his work, you’ll spot them all over town.
His floral works were inspired by gardens tended by his wife Fran. They are lighter, more intimate, almost like conversations between the two of them. And because the gallery is run by his family, you feel that the spirit of his artistry is still alive. Today, Gray’s grandson Dan carries the legacy forward, creating his own pieces in the studio at the back. When he is there, you can watch him work, see his art take shape, and understand how this family built a regional art identity that collectors still seek out.
Owner/crafter, David Ogle, sits in his workshop chatting with visitors.
(Dream Network Media)
Ogle’s Broom Shop: A 105-Year Tradition Still Swept by Hand
Ogle’s Broom Shop sits in the same building as the Jim Gray Gallery, but the moment you step inside the workshop it’s a totally different vibe. The space is humble, with just enough space for the craftsman to sit and work on his brooms. The Ogle family has been making brooms here for more than 105 years, and the process has barely changed. The fibers, twine, and the wooden handles—all the supplies needed are within arms reach so that the broom maker can create a beautiful piece of art shaped as something we use to clean our homes.
The broom maker and owner, David Ogle, works with a practiced ease while greeting visitors as if they are old friends. “My papi learned me at nine. But it became my job at thirteen,” he said in his charming Appalachian dialect, never pausing his hands. It is the craft he grew up with, and he still finds joy in making one-of-a-kind brooms for customers who find him from all over the world.
His wife, Tammy, sitting quietly at the desk within the shop, manages the business and other things around the shop, while David works. Together, they carry the legacy forward with a blend of technique, storytelling, and hospitality that feels so rare today. You can buy everyday sweepers, but David admits that most buy them as decorative designs to display like the art they are.
Marbling artist Pat K. Thomas at the Cliff Dwellers Gallery explains details of her art.
(Dream Network Media)
Cliff Dwellers Gallery: A Collective That Keeps Evolving
Cliff Dwellers Gallery offers a different kind of energy. It’s a collective of artists who each bring their own skill set, technique, and vision. The building itself has a lived-in charm, filled with shelves of ceramics, marbled fabrics, carved wood, decorative ornaments, and hand-painted books.
Marbling artist Pat K. Thomas guided me through her process, dipping paper and fabric into trays of swirling color. “You never make the same pattern twice,” she said. “The material decides the final design.” Watching her work, you see how much of the loop’s identity comes from artists who are eager to share the details of their craft as a way for you to fall in love with it as much as they have.
I also met Louise Bales, who has been part of Cliff Dwellers for nearly three decades and helped shape the gallery’s direction. “This place works because each artist is committed to doing their part,” she told me. “We all take turns and chip in. This is an experiment that we had and it still works!”
Cliff Dwellers is where you go for variety. You can buy from multiple makers in one stop, see demonstrations, and find pieces that range from small gifts to major collector items.
Why Travelers Should Add the Arts & Crafts Loop to Their Smokies Trip
This loop is not a quick stop; it is an experience. Most travelers spend half a day traveling to the different makers. In a destination known for crowds and fast-moving attractions, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community forces you to slow down and connect with locals who are the salt of the Earth. Even if you’re just window shopping, you’ll walk away learning something deeper about the artists and crafters of the region.
The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is a self-guided loop that connects Glades Road and Buckhorn Road, both running off Tennessee State Route 321 (East Parkway). You can start at any point, though many travelers begin near Glades Road and follow the signs from there.
Most studios stay open year-round, but hours shift with the seasons. If you want more hands-on interaction, plan a trip around Hands-On Gatlinburg in May, when artisans host workshops across the loop.
Parking is easy at most stops, and many studios are small enough to explore in under 20 minutes. But, keep in mind, you may get caught up talking with the artists often keeps you longer than you expect.
Below is a map of the arts & crafts loop. You can also click HERE to view the interactive map.
