Arrowmont to Remain in Gatlinburg

Future of the Nationally Recognized School Now Secure
(Gatlinburg, Tenn.) 08/23/10 – In a historic decision, the Board of Governors of the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts has voted to keep the nationally renowned center for contemporary craft education at its current location in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Arrowmont offered its first craft workshops in 1945.

Over the past two years the organization has been considering options for the future following a decision by the owners of the land to sell the property currently occupied by the school. A special task force was formed to evaluate options and possible new locations for the school and through their work the choices were narrowed to a site in Greeneville, Tenn. or remaining in the current Gatlinburg location. Since then, the Arrowmont Board has been working with officials from Gatlinburg and Greeneville to finalize proposals presented by both communities.

In making the announcement, Arrowmont Board of Governors President Mary Ann Hruska said, “After reviewing the proposals from Greeneville and Gatlinburg as well as numerous meetings with local officials, the Board decided that Arrowmont should remain in its place of founding. We look forward to working more closely with the local community regarding our future.”
The Gatlinburg community effort to retain Arrowmont was led by former Mayor Jerry Hays and City Manager, Cindy Ogle.

"I am extremely pleased with this decision to keep Arrowmont in Gatlinburg. I want to especially thank the Gatlinburg Arrowmont Work Group for their dedication during this process. A lot of hard work has gone into preparing for this day by representatives of the City, Sevier County, Sevier County School System, the Chamber of Commerce, and private citizens. From here, it is my hope that we can sit down together and map out how we will achieve the goals and dreams for Arrowmont’s future," states Jerry Hays.

Arrowmont’s Strategic Planning Committee, along with the Gatlinburg Work Group, will immediately
begin determining next steps including the orchestration of a capital campaign for funds to support the School’s future and exploring community partnership opportunities. The School’s on-going fundraising continues through the Friends of Arrowmont Fund. You may join by visiting our website or by calling 865- 436-5860.

“This decision ensures that the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts will continue to be a leader in
contemporary studio craft for many years to come,” said Hruska, adding, “Arrowmont provides the best in craft education in new and exciting ways while furthering our mission of enriching lives through art.”

About Arrowmont
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is a nationally renowned arts center that offers an artist in
residence program and one, two-week and weekend workshops in ceramics, fiber, metals, glass, painting, mixed media, and woodworking for the beginner to advanced artist. Students learn in professionally equipped studios on a 14-acre residential campus in Gatlinburg, TN. Five galleries, an art supply store, and artist resource center are open visitors year round. For more information about Arrowmont’s programs, visit www.arrowmont.org or call (865) 436-5860.

I want a new Arrowmont mug!

In early spring of 1995 Steve Ford of Ford and Forlano taught a workshop in polymer clay and I was there. About Wednesday, during my lunch break, I visited the Arrowcraft Shop and bought two mugs. I still use the one above, and I pack it each time I spend a week at Arrowmont. They were made in 1994 by a potter named "Mangum." A quick consultation with Mr. Google brought me the Mangum Pottery website here: http://www.mangumpottery.com/ where I stayed a while and drooled over their current work.

I hear that Arrowmont mugs are frequently requested by new and returning students and I had an idea. What if students in pottery workshops made one mug per student just for Arrowmont and donated it to be sold in the Artists Outfitters Store or in a weekly or monthly mug sale to benefit the school or even specifically the clay studio? Clay instructors could get in on the project as well, with thrown and handbuilt mugs welcome. With or without handles, built large to hold a latte or tiny for espresso or right in the middle to hold the morning's first cup of black coffee or fragrant tea, the mugs could be used immediately and often.

A mug is an opportunity to try out a new technique on a small form and could spark some competition in making the largest or most beautiful or glazed with the most original glaze or the most humorous face or the most saleable...mmm. Options for mugs are endless. Mugs are a small investment that can grow into a collection; might be a collection of mugs or a more ambitious acquisition of fine ceramics. A mug is a wonderful gift for the person who has everything or for a father or husband or boyfriend who is difficult to shop for.

When I get to Arrowmont in September for Cynthia Toops' class in polymer clay I'm going to see if I can find a 2010 Arrowmont mug to add to the crowd.

Mugs by (left to right) Anna Silver, Kathleen Horst, J.R. Cooper, Joel Plum, unknown potter, Don Penny.

A new art raffle at Arrowmont!

This time the artists in residence at Arrowmont are holding a raffle to fund a catalog of the Residents' Exhibit at the end of the residency year. They have a modest goal of $1,250 and have already met 20% of that amount. Each of the residents is already accomplished in his/her medium and each has produced an original and well-made piece for the auction. Click on the links to see a close-up image of each item to be auctioned.

Andrea Moon's figure of stoneware, slip and fiber can't quite look you in both eyes:
http://arrowmontresidents.blogspot.com/2010/08/andrea-moon-you-are-here-stoneware-slip.html .

Shawn O'Connor's stoneware teapot appears to have been kissed by the fire in the wood-fueled kiln: http://arrowmontresidents.blogspot.com/2010/08/shawn-oconnor-teapot-wood-fired-stone.html .

Jennifer Wells has made her copper bowls with patina glow from within by lining them with gold leaf: http://arrowmontresidents.blogspot.com/2010/08/jennifer-wells-golden-bowls-copper-gold.html

Wyatt Severs has embellished his turned maple bowl with milk paint, acrylic paint and black ink: http://arrowmontresidents.blogspot.com/2010/08/wyatt-severs-learn-to-swim-turned-maple.html

Just as the sign says, you get one ticket for $5.00 and five tickets for $20.00. It's an opportunity to pay a small amount for what could be a big reward. And even if you don't win one of the works of art, a catalog of their final exhibit will make winners of these four residents providing documentation of an event that lasts only a month.

You have until 1 PM on Friday, August 6, to purchase your chances to win one of the pieces made "before" a year in the Tennessee mountains changes the vision and experience of these artists forever. Git 'em while you can!