As the holidays approach and thoughts turn to the gift-giving tradition, remember that unique, handcrafted items make thoughtful, heart-warming gifts and support local artists and small businesses.
Kil'n Time offers a wonderful shared experience
Kil’n Time is a paint-your-own-pottery studio. Visitors paint a variety of ceramics and staff then glazes it and fires it in a kiln. You pick your completed project up in a week.
Into the Fire offers creative opportunities
Into the Fire is a fun place in downtown Johnson City to paint white ceramic pieces using special paints. They provide the tools; you provide the masterpiece. They glaze and fire your pieces, and you can pick them up in a week.
Holston Mountain Artisans has affordable, creative crafts from multiple creators
Holston Mountain Artisans began as the Holston Mountain Arts and Crafts Cooperative in the spring of 1971. About 20 craftspeople, eager to make some extra income and have their handwork appreciated, joined the cooperative.
Spot of Color carries art supplies from gel pens and markers to watercolors and oils. They offer beginner classes, ages 11 and up, and even sip and paint style classes at local businesses.
Appalachian Spirit Gallery represents a variety of artists
The Appalachian Spirit Gallery in Marion, Virginia, regularly showcases the work of over 15 member artists; as well as providing Artwalk special art exhibits, music concerts and reception food on the Second Friday of each month from May through Decembe
Book Cellar offers local books and other gifts
The Book Cellar is a couple-owned bookstore and gift shop. They promote sustainability through a green business model of re-selling and repurposing more than 90 percent of the items in their shop – including the furniture.
CDR filled with frames and gifts
CDR Frame Shop and Art Gallery is a professional frame shop with over 1,000 frames to choose from, along with discount framing in stock for those last-minute gifts.
Fischman Gallery offers a variety of artworks and exhibits
Fischman Gallery has monthly shows highlighting local and regional artists from Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina.
The Generalist is replete with gift ideas
The Generalist’s retail collective is an experiment in economic empowerment to shine a light on talented artists and makers in Appalachia.
Peddling Jack’s is a men’s specialty shop tucked away in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, in Abingdon, Va.
A Work of Art Gallery is in historic downtown Bristol
A Work of Art Gallery & Gifts is a cooperative Art Gallery in historic downtown Bristol.
Birthplace of Country Music Museum offers regional handcrafted goods
The Museum Store at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum is a shopping destination for local and regional shoppers as well as tourists traveling from all around the world.
Sullivan County students create holiday cards
The Sullivan County Tennessee School System, led by Chuck Carter, director of schools, holds an annual Christmas Card Art Contest for its students.
Cantemus Women's Choir to present winter concert
Cantemus, the Tri-Cities’ premiere women’s choir, opens its 10th season with a concert titled “I Sing of a Maiden.”
Kingsport Ballet presents 'The Nutcracker'
Under the artistic direction of Leonid Flegmatov, Kingsport Ballet prepares for a record year of “The Nutcracker” with the largest cast to date.
MECCA concerts scheduled
The choirs of the Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy announce their slate of Holiday Concerts.
Appalachian Men's Ensemble performs
Join the Appalachian Men’s Ensemble for a musical journey around the globe in search of holiday cheer.
Symphony performs holiday concerts
A cherished holiday tradition continues this December, as Maestro Cornelia Laemmli Orth gathers the region’s musical community together for two incredibly moving holiday concerts, “By the Fireside.”
Exchange Place hosts Christmas in the Country
Exchange Place hosts its annual Christmas in the Country celebration Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Kingsport’s historic living history farm.
The Bristol Ballet, now in its 75th season, invites the public to celebrate a beloved family holiday tradition by attending the company’s performance of “The Nutcracker”
