Appalachian Affair
The generosity of connection continued as we headed from Seagrove over the Blue Mountains to Sevierville October 20th. Another stranger agreed to host us within the ceramic community, (thanks to an introduction by Deb Schwartzkopf) and our well of gratitude deepened. After a winding road through the dappled sunlight of yellowing trees, we arrived at the house/ceramic art gallery of Bill Griffith. Bill is an accomplished ceramic artist and as former director of Arrowmont, has been instrumental bolstering the ceramic and other craft communities. Bill also has a strong love of food, and not long after we unloaded, a a jointly created elaborate spread of meats, cheese and other accoutrements was waiting to satisfy out bellies. The next four days were spent much in the same groove, eating well, perusing the amazing ceramic collection Bill has in his house and making new connections.
We spent an afternoon receiving a comprehensive tour of Arrowmont and meeting the amazing residents there and another assisting a colleague of Bill’s, Fran Day, with some yard work. After several hours of shoveling through rock hard clay, we were treated to amazing Indian Tacos. Fran is very connected to her Cherokee heritage and this meal was a more elaborate version of what she grew up on. For both of us, it was our first experience with fry bread. Watching her cook it, be able to ask questions and then enjoy it with her was a privilege in itself.
Our time with Bill in Tennessee came to an an end much to soon. Then we were crossing the mountains once again to spend some time in Asheville, NC. Unfortunately, no farm stays came through, but we did find an amazing farm to camp at. Franny’s Farm is an amazing place with communal kitchen, and bathroom facilities. It is well maintained, a working farm and has a spectacular view of the sunrise. Spending time at Franny’s Farm encouraged us to once again spin our dream webs for the future, ever circling in, widening and gaining focus around the life we hope to create one day. With the farm as our base camp, we explored Asheville and met amazing artisans.
In Asheville, we benefitted from the close knit ceramic community. Back in West Virginia, Shoji gave us the number of one Josh Copus. Once again, to our surprise, a stranger answered the call of another stranger. Josh is a force of nature in the ceramics community and has a million ideas brewing and blooming, while needing to be in a million places at once. After wandering around gallery spaces in downtown Asheville and then wide eyed through the RAD (River Arts District), we met up at Clayspace Co-op. While conversations bounced around, we learned that the Old Marshall Jail was a recently completed project. Learning the small jail had been converted to a boutique hotel, bar and functional gallery, we knew we needed to go. The splurge was worth it. The hotel is well thought out, comfortable and designed to show the history of the place.
We feel especially grateful for the kindness and hospitality we received from amazing artists Molly Water, Michael Kline and Mads Vind Ludvigsen. Your art and the life you have created for yourselves is inspiring. We were able to attend amazing art events and have more directed exploring, amazing dinners and conversation because of you.
While in the area we knew Hot Springs was not to be missed. An Air BnB just off the Appalachian trail was booked and we enjoyed several days of hiking and decompression via Lord of the Rings DVD marathon. The colors and stillness were enveloping and we are grateful to have been in this part of the world to experience it. Asheville and Tennessee (surprisedly) are are places that we greatly look forward to spending more time in and deepening the connections made there.
