GATLINBURG, Tenn., (August 10, 2009) – From the anniversary celebration of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was formed the idea for Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts upcoming photography exhibition, “In View of the Smokies: Celebrating 75 Years.” The community is invited to Arrowmont for an opening reception, Friday, Aug. 21 from 6-8 p.m. in Arrowmont’s main gallery. The exhibition honors the park by featuring 75 spectacular images to celebrate each year of Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s anniversary.
Fifteen photographers were invited to participate in this commemorative exhibition through a variety of considerations including representation from both Tennessee and North Carolina, Arrowmont’s Sevier County Biennial Exhibition award winners and faculty, as well as historical, botanical and park calendar photographers.
Artists include: Tim Barnwell, Robert Batey, Ron Burke, Kendall Chiles, Jerry Drown (1915-2009), Jill Greene, Ken Greene, Cathy Griffin, Alan S. Heilman, Bill Lea, Don McGowan, David L. Shirk, Nye Simmons, Jim Thompson (1881-1976), and Jim Thurston.
“This exhibition reflects a full spectrum of the Smokies,” said Karen Green, Arrowmont’s Gallery coordinator and exhibition curator. “From the broad expanses of our beautiful mountains and valleys to microcosms of our flora and fauna, this exhibit offers a variety of interpretations of the Smokies from the various vantage points of each artist.”
“We were especially honored to be able to exhibit original photographs from the late Jim Thompson,” said Green. Thompson began taking photographs of the Smokies as early as 1913 and by 1924 was the official photographer for the Great Smoky Mountains Conservation Association, a Knoxville based club instrumental in the park movement. Thompson’s photos helped persuade Congress to authorize the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1926.
The exhibition runs through October 10. If unable to attend the opening reception, visitors can view the exhibit at Arrowmont at 556 Parkway in Gatlinburg, Mon.-Sat., 8:30-4:30.
About Arrowmont
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is a nationally renowned arts center that offers 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, Tennessee. Five galleries, an art supply store, and artist resource center are open visitors year round. Arrowmont was founded in 1912 as the Pi Beta Phi Settlement School. For more information about Arrowmont’s programs, visit www.arrowmont.org or call (865) 436-5860.
CONTACT: Kim Newman, Public Relations
556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865.436.5860×34
www.arrowmont.org
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