Welcome to Knoxville: Maker City, U.S.A.

A Sponsored Message from Visit Knoxville


Knoxville, Tennessee is known as a community of artistic souls looking to capture the heart and culture of the city by commemorating the past, focusing on the present and looking to the future. So much of Knoxville’s history is alive and well in its architecture, live music and museums. But it’s the local artists who bring the essence and vitality of the Maker City’s spirit to life through art, cuisine and photography. Get to know this nature-loving-adventure-seeking-artsy-kinda-town and all it has to offer event planners and attendees alike.

Creatives Gone Global

Knoxville is home to countless craftspeople, so it was no surprise when representatives participated in the first Etsy Maker Cities Summit in 2016. During Knoxville’s subsequent Summit, the city was designated the first Etsy Maker City in America with anchors like Pretentious Glass & Beer Co., one of the top-selling Etsy shops in the world. Encourage attendees to visit the historic Old City where they can see these meticulous glass blowers at work and take home an artisan beer glass as a souvenir. Then swing over to Glitterville Studios and see why designer Stephen Brown continues to earn Oprah’s stamp of approval.

Walk Among the Arts

One of the many benefits of Knoxville’s layout is the walkability that comes with it. Event attendees can take themselves on a self-guided Maker City tour, seeing silk screen printers, metal workers, woodworkers, craft brewers, chocolatiers and more along the way. Find art galleries and studios in the Arts District, music and theater in the Theatre District, and surprise street performances everywhere in between.

Collaborative Maker Spaces

Spectators of Maker City can make their mark on the spirit of Knoxville, too. With devoted maker spaces throughout the city, there are plenty of places to collaborate or flex creative muscles. Rent a space at the Central Collective or Knox Makers—there’s a unique venue for every kind of event.

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