More people visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park than any other park in the United States. The park receives approximately 9 million visitors a year. Established on June 15, 1934, the park consists of over 500,000 acres.
March 2, 2010 – Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam has appointed a committee to study the possible relocation of the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts to Knoxville and to work with Arrowmont officials to develop a proposal that’s beneficial to both the school and the city.
Arrowmont is currently located in Gatlinburg on property owned by the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity but is considering leaving that site after its lease expires in 2012. The school is exploring its options and has indicated that Knoxville and Greeneville are possible sites for relocation.
Rhonda Rice, executive vice president of the Knoxville Chamber, will chair the committee. Other members include:
Pam Fansler – President and East Tennessee Market Manager, First Tennessee
Sharon Miller Pryse – President and CEO of The Trust Co. of Knoxville
Jan Simek – Interim President, University of Tennessee
Alvin Nance – President and CEO, KCDC
Eddie Mannis – President and CEO, Prestige Cleaners Inc.
Carol Evans – Director, Legacy Parks Foundation
David Butler – Executive Director, Knoxville Museum of Art
Mark Williams – Managing Shareholder, Young, Williams, Kirk & Stone
Larry Martin – Deputy Mayor and Senior Director of Finance, City of Knoxville
Bill Lyons – Senior Director of Policy & Communications, City of Knoxville
