Artists, Musicians Use Talents to Preserve Mountain Heritage

Monday March 01, 2004

TOWNSEND, Tenn. -- A group of artists and musicians in the Townsend area are working to preserve the mountain heritage and tradition that provided the roots for their talents. From Mike Clemmer who uses scraps of wood to make dulcimers to play the hymns and bluegrass tunes he was taught as a child, to Margorie Murphy who left her 9-to-5 job to spin pottery for a living, these Townsend residents use their art and music to showcase the splendor and the history of the Great Smoky Mountains. "Music and art have been a part of the history of the Great Smoky Mountains for as long as folks can remember," said Harry Kidwell, of Nawger Nob, a mountain artistsÕ village located on Hwy. 321 in Townsend. "ItÕs comforting to know that the very things that brought joy to the lives of our ancestors years ago, still bring us enjoyment today." Kidwell and his wife moved to Townsend back in the 1970s after vacationing there and falling in love with the area. Since then, he has worked with area artists to open Nawger Nob and to showcase their work in the Carl Koella Exhibit-Demonstration Center in the Townsend Visitors Center. Clemmer, 43, is one of the artists who has opened a shop at Nawger Nob. And while his store, named appropriately Wood-N-Strings, only opened this year, he has built dulcimers and other stringed instruments since his early 20s. "IÕve been playing music since I was 10 or 11, plus I love to work with wood," Clemmer said. "I hope that makes my dulcimers stand out." Clemmer learned to make the instrument from Sam Carrell, who is considered an expert in his trade. From there, he went on to expand his talent offering dulcimers that are custom-made for each customer. "I take great pride in the instruments I make," Clemmer said. "Most dulcimers you find have only four strings; I make mine with five because I think the extra sting gives it a fuller sound." Clemmer makes all of his dulcimers in a woodshop in the back of his business. ThereÕs no high technology involved in construction, just raw wood, the old table saw that ClemmerÕs grandfather left him and his keen ear for music. Clemmer uses a fiddle bow to listen to each piece of wood before he uses it to make sure it has the right quality and tone. "I want my dulcimers to be something that customers can cherish for life, not just a token keepsake that is never played," Clemmer said. "Dulcimers are easy to play. Before I let a customer walk out that door, I teach them the basics. Once you know the basics anyone can make beautiful music." Just around the corner from ClemmerÕs shop is another woodshop, this one ran by Townsend resident Gene Webb. Woodcarving is something Webb picked up on his own around the age of 10, he said. Now, years later, heÕs winning recognition for his work nationwide, claiming several first place awards in woodcarving competitions. "Everyone asks if my father or grandfather whittled or carved wood, but as far as I know, I'm the first one in my family to do this," Webb said. Webb left a "regular" job to pursue his love of art full time a few years back. "I find woodcarving so relaxing," Webb said. "Now, I'm doing something I really enjoy and I'm getting paid for it." Webb wasnÕt the only artist to leave the 9-5 business world to take up art full time. Artist Marjorie Murphy left her full-time job two years ago to spend more time doing the thing she loves most - pottery. "I think it takes a certain type of person to appreciate the quality and the heart that goes into the work I do," said Murphy. "And while I think that many people are satisfied with buying something that's store bought. I think more and more people are looking for something better and are searching for something that will take them back to their roots." Artist Fred Weiser said the mountains provide unlimited opportunities for artwork. Weiser moved to Townsend years ago after his retirement from a space electronics company in Florida. He now spends most of his time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park looking for new ideas for his paintings. "When my family and I found this area, we knew this was the place we wanted to call home," Weiser said. "I guess my greatest hope is that my work will help preserve a bit of nature." Weiser works in acrylics and he paints only those animals found in the Great Smoky Mountains. "I work hard to paint the animals in their natural setting," Weiser said. "There's so many animals around here, I don't think I'll ever run out of things to paint." To receive a copy of the new Appalachian Arts and Crafts Directory or for more information, please call the Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau at (865) 448-6134.

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