Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee, United States
4.5 (47 reviews) Spent Ranking #3 in Smithville Educational sites • Art Museums
Delightful side trip
Traveling down US 40 we noticed this exit and had to see what the craft center was. We were delighted with the gallery and the drive to it. Of course we had to stop and buy earrings for family members. Well worth the time it took to get here
Address
1560 Craft Center Dr, Smithville, TN 37166-7352
Mobile
Current local date and time now
Friday, May 10, 2024, 15:50
User Ratings
4.5 based on (47 reviews)
Excellent
75%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Reviews
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5helenmary7766 5:00 PM Jun 19, 2015
Summer Intensive Program was AMAZING!!!
Another teacher and I took 7 high school students for a very intensive week at TTU's satellite campus at the Appalachian Center for Craft. Some of us took glass and fiber workshops, others took wood and clay. (They also have a metal studio.) The studios were fantastic, the cabins were very nice, and they fed us so much great food that I put on 4 pounds (even after walking up and down some pretty steep hills). My instructors (Gabe, Audey, and Kelsie) were some of the kindest, most patient, knowledgeable people I have ever met, even though they were so young (20's?). Special kudos to Gail who oversees the program and was as sweet and wonderful and has more stamina than the Energizer Bunny. I'd also like to thank the support staff (maintenance, kitchen, landscaping, etc.) who greeted me every morning as if they were happy to see me even though by the third day, I was so exhausted that I probably looked like a zombie wandering around lost. The price for the week for me and my two students was beyond reasonable and I would happily (and gratefully) sign up again next summer. The amount of art work we accomplished in one week is still mind boggling! (I may sleep for the next two days but it was well worth it.) The lake is also close (they provide canoes and life jackets) and they have a volley ball pit, a gallery, and a gift shop. I really wish I had known about this place before this year; I may have moved there and never looked back...
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5TampaFoodies2 5:00 PM Oct 12, 2015
Such a nice variety of high quality crafts!
I've visited many times, and always make a point of taking in the adjacent gallery that exhibits student works. Evidently, the instructors are really inspirational because the student works are very polished and have unique points of view. In the gift shop, I have purchased several pieces of pottery, wall hangings, wrought iron hooks, photographic prints; there's lots to choose from and it's representative of the best local artists. Hopefully, when I retire, I'll have the time to actually take classes there!
