Parton of the Arts
Although I think of myself as an open-minded traveler, I do have to ‘fess up to this preconceived notion—that Dollywood, the Dolly Parton-created theme park in the Smoky Mountains, wasn’t a destination for me. But then I read this article in National Geographic Traveler last month, and I’m ready to reconsider.
The engaging profile reveals the scope of the Parton’s interests—she’s a woman who multitasks in truly monumental fashion (it notes that, in addition to making movies, country & pop music hits, and Broadway musicals, for instance, she’s also an owner of the company that produced Buffy the Vampire Slayer). It also highlights a cool perspective on her eponymous park, which draws over two million people annually.
And, as it turns out, one of Dollywood’s missions is to preserve traditional Appalachian crafts. The park provides a venue for local artisans to promote their work in order to help their traditions thrive. I checked out the lineup of craftspeople scheduled to be seen at this year’s Harvest Celebration, and was duly impressed. On the lineup:
Constance Beck, a weaver who owns Appalachian Threads. She creates one-of-a-kind wraps, hats, and scarves—many with wool grown in the Tennessee Hills.
Dan and Ethel Doty, who have been making mountain dulcimers (a stringed musical instrument) for over forty years.
Ironwood Glassworks, a group of people who work in a sustainable living education center and create an array of artworks from beads and doorpulls to Coptic books made with tree-free paper. —Jennifer Dennis
