The year was 1912 and the women of Pi Beta Phi were celebrating the 45th anniversary of their sorority’s founding.

In honor of the occasion, they began an educational project in the form of a settlement school in the Gatlinburg area. The women understood the craftsmanship of the locals was their opportunity to develop a market for handcrafted items made by Gatlinburg’s citizens.

Now, more 100 years later, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is thriving in the Gatlinburg area; however, obstacles had to be overcome. In 2008, Pi Beta Phi decided to withdraw funding for the school and sell the property.

Bill May, executive director, explained that in 2013 it became obvious his team had to buy the campus outright. After an overwhelming amount of support and donations, May was able to facilitate the purchase of the campus in 2014 for $8 million. It was the only way to save the school’s heritage.

“I don’t think anyone believed Arrowmont would go away after so many years,” explained May.

Now, starting a new season in 2015, Arrowmont has done everything but fade away. The school is offering a number of programs available to children and adults of the community. The ArtReach Program brings an estimated 1,000 children from the Sevier County School System for a day of learning about different crafts. Also, Smokey Mountain Elementary School encourages eighth graders to apply for a week of hands-on learning with discussions on the history and culture of the Gatlinburg area.

Along with the special programs for students, Arrowmont also offers community classes. Through January and February, adults of all professions are welcome to come take classes every Tuesday and Thursday night for a five-week community class.

Arrowmont also has national workshops, which bring instructors from all over the nation to teach classes. All ages and backgrounds are welcome to come study and work with different materials, as people from all areas of the world show up for the classes. Summer workshops are also available and encouraged, giving attendees an opportunity to stay on campus for a week and submerge themselves in the Arrowmont atmosphere.

Serena Jetelina, Arrowmont communications coordinator, remarked people attend the workshops to not only learn but to experience the comradery. She explained there are not many opportunities to immerse oneself in a world such as Arrowmont. The 13 acres of land create a surreal mountain experience, giving those attending the opportunity to forget about their real lives and focus on the art.

Jetelina encourages everyone interested to come spend a week at the school, affectionately referred to as “an art camp for adults.”

“It is a really enriching environment,” Jetelina said, “and it is nice having someone to take care of you.”

Another aspect of the school that gives adults the opportunity to expand in their craftsmanship is Arrowmont’s artist-in-residence program. Every year, artists apply for an eleven-month stay at Arrowmont where they spend time teaching classes and honing their particular skill. Five artists-in-residence are chosen from all over the country, varying in different craft areas. This year the areas include of metal fabrication, fibers, ceramics and metals.

Amy Masters, a 30-year-old fibers craftsman, is enjoying herself at the artist-in-residence program. After getting her graduate degree from Arizona State, she heard the buzz about Arrrowmont and decided to apply. Not only has Masters been affected by the different practices of each artist-in-residence, but the surrounding Gatlinburg area has also influenced her art.

“My art has completely changed because of this town,” Masters said.

Arrowmont also provides opportunities for college students to earn college credit. The only college credit currently available is in connection with Walters State Community College. However, there is a desire to reconnect with the University of Tennessee and develop opportunities for college credit between Arrowmont and UT.

Nick DeFord, program director, looks forward to many new opportunities for the school in the coming years. Arrowmont is hoping to expand their ArtReach Program as well as offer more workshops. The main focus remains on combing the past, present and future to sustain the school of arts and crafts.

“We cannot become so busy that we cannot continue doing the things we do so well,” DeFord explained.

The Daily Beacon would like to thank Matthew Dercole and Hunter Creel for allowing their artwork to be photographed.