The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, partners with Tennessee Craft to sponsor Craft Artisan Demonstrations in 12 Tennessee Welcome Centers during Tennessee Craft Week (TCW) Oct. 4-13. Tennessee Craft Week focuses on craft artists across the state, magnifying the artisan legacy, and inviting guests to take home an authentic treasure each October.
This 10-day celebration of handcrafted artwork is held in conjunction with American Craft Week and encourages the public to meet artists and learn their process on a one-to-one basis.
Tennessee Welcome Centers provide the perfect setting for guests traveling across Tennessee to meet the talented artists. Here, artists share their creative process and skills with travelers, making their trip more memorable. More than 15 million people visited the Tennessee Welcome Centers in 2018, an increase of 1 million visitors from the previous year. Take a moment to stop at one of the Welcome Centers and see why Tennessee is known as “The Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.”
"By showcasing artisans at our Welcome Centers, Tennessee Craft highlights the authenticity and creative spirit of Tennessee. It offers a tangible, ‘Made in Tennessee’ experience. I invite all travelers to see the craftsmanship and talent that permeates our state in all 95 counties,” said Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell.
Dickson resident and multi-faceted entertainer Craig Morgan is the 2019 Tennessee Craft Week honorary chairman. He serves as the spokesman to bring public attention to the craft artists in Tennessee and their work.
“I enjoy the process of creating art from a blank piece of wood in the same way I enjoy creating a song from simple words,” said Mr. Morgan. “I’m humbled to be the honorary chair of Tennessee Craft Week and hope everyone enjoys the artistic expressions of all the artists in Tennessee.”
In 2017, Mr. Morgan debuted The Gallery at Morgan Farms, a family-owned and operated farm-to-home business in his hometown of Dickson, Tn. The store features a variety of artisan items handmade by Mr. Morgan and his family.
Mr. Morgan has made a name for himself as a country music icon, TV personality, celebrated outdoorsman and patriotic Army veteran. One of country music's best-loved artists, Mr. Morgan has charted 25 songs on Billboard and thrills massive crowds with signature hits including "Bonfire," "Almost Home," "Redneck Yacht Club," "International Harvester," "This Ole Boy," "Wake Up Loving You" and the four week #1, "That's What I Love About Sunday."
Find Tennessee events: TNVacation.com, TennesseeCraft.com
Find national events: AmericanCraftWeek.com