Creatives keep this world beautiful, don’t they? Whether you’re a writer or a woodworker, a knitter or an animator, there’s something sweet about those who dream in color. Tennessee is a solid home to dreamers – and not just the musical kind. We’ve found a couple of spots for you to pitch your easel if you’re looking for inspiration, and don’t worry – you can thank us later.

  1. Gatlinburg

Brandon Shea / Flickr There is an amazing arts & crafts community in Gatlinburg, one that saturates an eight-mile loop within the city and proffers 120 vendors. Such a neat thing!

  1. Knoxville

bobistraveling / Flickr In addition to a fabulous art museum, Knoxville has a solid program at the University, plus a TON of college students with their own take on the world.

  1. Beale Street - Memphis

Matt Lancashire / Flickr If this isn’t a place of inspiration, we don’t know what is! There are musicians on the streets and magic in the air, just waiting for you to write a story or paint a picture of the vibrant city.

  1. Bell Buckle

Stephen Drake / Flickr If you specialize in homegrown art, Bell Buckle is your spot. This darling town is full of homemade and well made - come visit and check out their main street shops!

  1. Chattanooga

Bryce Edwards / Flickr Apparently, Chattanooga has an INSANE street art underground scene. We had no idea. Check it out!

  1. Franklin

Robert S. Donovan / Flickr There’s an art crawl in downtown Franklin that boasts some insane local talent. Maybe you can even weasel on in there…?

  1. Leiper’s Fork

jdj50 / Flickr Just because it’s small doesn’t mean there’s nothin’ there. Leiper’s Fork Puckett’s has live music, and if you pitch up late? You may just find yourself bumping into an old legend.

  1. East Nashville

Paul Nicholson / Flickr The hipster capitol of Tennessee is burgeoning with self-proclaimed poets, writers, fashionistas, and coffee connoisseurs.

  1. Sewanee

Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr The University of the South is located here amongst the natural beauty of Tennessee, and its writing school is numbered as one of the best in the nation.

  1. Great Smoky Mountains

Matthew Paulson / Flickr There’s no place better to breathe in and get your mind straight, is there? The mountains serve as rejuvenation and inspiration, and get our number one spot.

Tell us, Tennessee creatives. What do you think?

Brandon Shea / Flickr

There is an amazing arts & crafts community in Gatlinburg, one that saturates an eight-mile loop within the city and proffers 120 vendors. Such a neat thing!

bobistraveling / Flickr

In addition to a fabulous art museum, Knoxville has a solid program at the University, plus a TON of college students with their own take on the world.

Matt Lancashire / Flickr

If this isn’t a place of inspiration, we don’t know what is! There are musicians on the streets and magic in the air, just waiting for you to write a story or paint a picture of the vibrant city.

Stephen Drake / Flickr

If you specialize in homegrown art, Bell Buckle is your spot. This darling town is full of homemade and well made - come visit and check out their main street shops!

Bryce Edwards / Flickr

Apparently, Chattanooga has an INSANE street art underground scene. We had no idea. Check it out!

Robert S. Donovan / Flickr

There’s an art crawl in downtown Franklin that boasts some insane local talent. Maybe you can even weasel on in there…?

jdj50 / Flickr

Just because it’s small doesn’t mean there’s nothin’ there. Leiper’s Fork Puckett’s has live music, and if you pitch up late? You may just find yourself bumping into an old legend.

Paul Nicholson / Flickr

The hipster capitol of Tennessee is burgeoning with self-proclaimed poets, writers, fashionistas, and coffee connoisseurs.

Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr

The University of the South is located here amongst the natural beauty of Tennessee, and its writing school is numbered as one of the best in the nation.

Matthew Paulson / Flickr

There’s no place better to breathe in and get your mind straight, is there? The mountains serve as rejuvenation and inspiration, and get our number one spot.

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