Community treasures: Townsend Artisan Guild fashions Smoky Mountains' art, fine crafts

By Linda Braden Albert
of The Daily Times Staff

They work with their hands and beauty springs forth.

All you have to do is browse the art and fine craft shops in Townsend and you can see the pride local artisans take in their labors. Their raw materials may be wood, stone, metal, fiber, leather, glass, clay or canvas and paint -- in the hands of accomplished workmen, they become heirlooms, fitting mementos of the Smoky Mountains to be handed down for generations.

Dave Neamand is one of these skilled craftsmen. At his jewelry shop, Jewelry by Dave Neamand, at Nawger Nob, the master engraver/metalsmith fashions unique pieces in silver and gold. Customer Lisa Doolittle has several of his creations.

"He's very creative," Doolittle said, finalizing the details on a one-of-a-kind bracelet she has commissioned. "I have several friends who have a lot of his stuff. They are unique pieces."

Neamand is one of nearly 40 artisans and sponsors who are members of the newly formed Townsend Artisan Guild, which was formed in fall 2007 with three purposes: to promote the education, exploration, awareness and development of the visual arts; to promote group and community interest in and appreciate of the arts; and to sponsor and/or participate in art shows, exhibits and community projects. The guild was the idea of Suzanna Terrill, a painter, and Jane Richardson, who owns Mountain Sage Gallery & Woodshop along with her son, Wade Richardson.

Promoting the arts

Neamand was elected president of the guild due to his experience with guilds in other areas.

"This was basically started to promote artists in our area, and that includes Townsend, Walland and Wears Valley," Neamand said. "And to bring more people to this area to see the arts and fine crafts. There has been a tremendous amount of support. A lot of people who are not necessarily artists but are interested in the arts have been huge supporters."

One of those to whom much credit is due is Nancy Williams, marketing director at Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Neamand added. She is a member of the guild's advisory board.

In addition, local businesses have supported the guild. Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers, for example, will provide two spaces at the Nawger Nob Craft Show, Neamand said. Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center featured the guild at a showing and Townsend Visitor Center has provided a permanent display area for the guild's artists.

The guild plans to hold art exhibits and art shows and, in 2009, a fine arts/fine crafts show.

"What we are basically trying to do is get people here to look at arts," Neamand said. "I'm very upbeat about it because it's like this girl that was just in. People are going to buy specialty things that are handmade. ... I do like to make keepsakes, like the bracelet she was getting. People like a keepsake. I have a customer coming today -- they're from Georgia -- and she's wanting to get a bracelet for her granddaughter and they're thinking about what inscriptions they want inside, which makes it more than just a piece of jewelry. I think that's true with what a lot of us are doing. We are making specialty things and making them for people the way they want them."

'Hungry for this'

Jane Richardson, an artist, oversees the gallery at Mountain Sage Gallery Woodshop, which features an eclectic mix of hand-crafted items by some of East Tennessee/Western North Carolina's finest artisans. In addition to Wade Richardson's rustic and primitive furniture, items range from framed art in watercolor, oils and photography to pottery, jewelry, fabric art and stained glass. Antiques are also available. Of the 60 artisans represented in the gallery, 30 are from Blount County, and 12 of those are from the Townsend, Walland and Wears Valley area.

"We're hungry for this, we really are," Richardson said of the burgeoning art and fine craft emphasis in Townsend. "It's been a great pleasure to see artists come out of the woodwork since we started this artisan guild." Opportunities are provided not only for those who show their work in galleries, but also those who don't have a gallery as a venue for sales. "It's past time for this."

Neamand agreed.

"I think we're going to develop into a very artistic area and people coming here to look at arts," he said.

Guild members

Members of the Townsend Artisan Guild, their craft and where their work is available (if given) include:

• Lois Alexander, illustration/graphic design/painter



• Susan Birdwell, painter/sculpture, Mountain Sage and Mountain Creations



• Tony Birdwell, leatherwork, Mountain Sage and Mountain Creations



• Evelyn Bryant, clay sculptor, Mountain Sage Gallery



• Mike Bryant, sponsor



• Mike and Connie Clemmer, instruments, Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop



• Cindy Cutting, painter, Mountain Sage



• Sherry Dial, basketry, Mountain Sage



• Luman Dial, wood (turning), Mountain Sage



• Jeremy Doss, painter, Dogwood Mall



• Fawley-Bryant Architects Inc., sponsor



• Becky Goodman, custom stained glass art (windows, lamps, panels, etc.), Cabin Treasures



• J. Carl Goodman, sponsor



• Nieland Hale, canes, walking sticks and realistic wildlife



• Jeanie Hilton, sponsor



• David Huber, clay/raku, Stringtown Pottery



• Mary K. Jenkins, mixed media, photography, fish art, painter, Mountain Sage



• Gaynelle Kyser, weaving and needlework



• Pat Large, jewelry of a variety of stones and metals, Ravenwood



• Beryl Lumpkin, natural material baskets, Mountain Sage



• Jaimie Matzko, sponsor



• Joyce McCroskey, sculpture (stone), Mountain Sage



• Peter Mueller, mixed media



• Marjorie Murphy, clay, Stringtown Pottery



• Tony Myers, photographer, Mountain Sage



• Dave Neamand, 14 karat gold and sterling silver, hand-engraved jewelry, Jewelry by Dave Neamand



• Steve Norris, paintings and prints of Cades Cove landmarks and wildlife



• Bob Patterson, sponsor



• Mac Proffitt, sponsor



• Billy Reynolds, driftwood sculptor, Mountain Creations



• Terri Reynolds, gourds, birdhouses, jewelry, Mountain Creations



• Jane Richardson, painter/gallery owner, Mountain Sage Gallery Woodshop



• Wade Richardson, furniture/wood designer, Mountain Sage



• Kevin Roberson, picture framer



• Suzanna Terrill, painter, Mountain Sage



• Kip Tweedie, painter/wood (furniture), Mountain Sage



• Jeanie Vanwinkle, painter



• Barry Vanwinkle, sponsor



• Debbie and Richard Way, sponsors



• Nancy Williams, sponsor