Tennessee Arts and Crafts Heritage Trail Comes to Greeneville
Historic Greeneville, TN - Although only recently opened on Greeneville’s Main Street, James-Ben: Studio and Galleries is already part of a well-worn trail running the breadth of Tennessee. The art and fine craft gallery/jewelry studio at 129 N. Main Street was recently named as the first Greene County site on the prestigious Tennessee Arts and Crafts Heritage Trail.
This event was marked September 26th at the gallery’s ribbon-cutting ceremony with the presentation to gallery owners James-Ben Stockton and Daniel Luther of a special historic marker. Presentation on behalf of the state was by Agnes Gorham, East Tennessee Director for Heritage and Community Tourism Development. James-Ben: Studio and Gallery has now been a part of the Heritage Trails program for four years, having brought the designation from its previous location in Williamson County.
The Heritage Trails were developed for Tennessee’s Bicentennial in 1996. The Trails link attractions in three categories -- History, Music, and Arts and Crafts. “When we created the Heritage Trails, we saw it as a way for the Department to commemorate the 200th birthday of Tennessee,” says Tourism Commissioner John Wade. “But we also wanted a program that would stand as a permanent fixture for tourism.”
Lee Curtis, Middle Tennessee Director for Tourist Development, was instrumental in first placing James-Ben: Studio and Gallery on the Arts and Crafts Trail. She is enthusiastic about the Heritage Trail's role in highlighting both history and the arts. "The Arts and Crafts Trail is a wonderful way for us to showcase the great, great artists in Tennessee. It's designed to call attention to smaller, out-of-the-way places that a visitor might miss in touring larger sites."She adds, "James-Ben: Studio and Gallery is just the sort of jewel we need to recognize! I’m so glad they’ve helped us open the Arts and Crafts Trail in Greene County."
Agnes Gorham, Tourism Development Director for East Tennessee, concurs. “We are delighted to welcome James-Ben: Studio and Gallery as the first Greene County site on the Tennessee Arts and Crafts Trail. Its studio and gallery are exactly the type of experience that Heritage Travelers are seeking, and they complement perfectly the many Greene County sites that are already on the Tennessee History Trail.”
Says gallery owner James-Ben Stockton, "I'm honored and proud to be the first site in the county designated for the trail. All our hard work of the last ten years is really being appreciated and understood here in Greeneville. Having been an artist for 30 years and knowing how difficult it is for local artists to find representation, I'm doubly proud. Our commitment to Tennessee artists got us on the Trail in the first place. This recognition honors them."
Tennessee has designated Heritage Trails in three areas; arts and crafts, history, and music. Copies of a 100-page booklet listing all the Tennessee Heritage Trails are available at the Greene County Partnership office, 115 Academy St. in downtown Greeneville, or can be ordered by phone at (888) 243-9769. For further information on James-Ben: Studio and Galleries, call James-Ben Stockton or Daniel Luther at (423) 787-0195, or visit the gallery web site at www.james-ben.com.