Artists-In-Residence Program
For over 30 years Arrowmont has welcomed Artists-in-Residence (AIRs) to campus for an 11-month, self-directed residency. This unique program provides 5 early-career artists the time, space and support needed to create new work, while actively participating in our robust community of artists, students and staff.
Resident experiences are tailored to the individual’s goals and desired outcomes, with guaranteed exposure and professional development opportunities including – 3 gallery exhibitions, open-studio talks and demonstration, instruction experience through our ArtReach program, and funded networking resources.
We interviewed one of our current AIRs, Thomas McIntyre, to learn more about him and what his experience has been so far during his residency here at Arrowmont. Continue reading below about Thomas McIntyre!
Q&A
Tell us a little bit more about yourself! Your life/work prior to arriving at Arrowmont and any interesting facts we should know about you!
I was born and raised in Vienna, Virginia. I moved to Chicago to attend The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and received a BFA with a concentration in architecture and sculpture. After graduating, I stayed in Chicago working as a studio assistant and art handler until moving to Gatlinburg.
My work centers around constructing personified furniture objects. I work across a wide variety of mediums including ceramic, wood, and metal. I used to pole vault in high school but was pretty bad at it.
What drew you to the Artists-in-Residence Program at Arrowmont?
As soon as I started to investigate craft schools, Arrowmont stood out to me since I had spent time in Gatlinburg as a kid. I was thoroughly intrigued by the setting of Arrowmont, being situated within the bustling bubble of Gatlinburg while sitting right on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Being in Chicago for a while really made long for some more exciting geography.
What is something that you have learned about yourself (so far) during your residency here?
I’ve discovered that I really do love learning new processes and techniques. From basketry to broom making and just honing in more on my woodworking and ceramic knowledge, I’ve come to understand more thoroughly just how much I enjoy learning the steps involved in every making process.
Tell us a bit about your work process and how it has changed since you have been at Arrowmont.
My making routine always begins in my sketchbook, where I create iterative sketches exploring ideas inspired by historic designs and or a material process. This framework remains the same; however, I am looking closely at all the objects I find myself surrounded by here on campus or things I discover at antique stores in the area and taking inspiration from these items. Furthermore, I am able to move freely between mediums in a way that is new to me which allows for even more experimentation.
Can you share any specifics about your work for the closing AIR exhibition in May? Everyone loves a teaser!
For the AIR exhibition, I plan to show a wide variety of domestic objects. From impractical and ornamental to incredibly utilitarian (perhaps some brooms…???). These pieces will all possess functional characteristics grounding and connecting them within a domestic context. They, however, also operate as sculptural objects engaging in the complex histories of craft and design, and the cultural hierarchies that separate them. Specifically, I am looking at motifs of early American Chippendale furniture, as well as the raw practicality and texture of Appalachian vernacular design.
What has been the most valuable thing you’ve learned in your residency (so far)?
One of the most valuable things I’ve learned so far is how to make brooms. My studio can get pretty messy, but I love to clean so being able to sweep up with brooms of my own making makes the process that much more enjoyable!
As an Arrowmont Artist-In-Residence, you have the opportunity to participate in our youth outreach program, ArtReach, as an instructor. How did your work as an artist influence the workshop you’re teaching? What are you looking forward to most about teaching during ArtReach?
In my work, it’s important to me to create objects that can be used and interacted with, so I wanted the kids to make ceramic candle holders they could use in their homes and keep for a long time. It’s also important to me in my work that objects are given the opportunity to express more ideas beyond their utility, therefore the students were given a lot of creative freedom in how they wanted to design their candle holders. It was incredible to see the variety of ideas pursued and the eagerness of the kids to execute their personal visions.
What advice would you give to a future Artist-in-Residence?
Definitely get out into the national park as much as possible, no matter the weather or time of year, it’s always so pretty and worth it. Figure out what helps you reset and stay on track. Try and soak up as much knowledge and as many experiences as possible.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you, the residency or Arrowmont? We’re all ears!
The Arrowmont residency program has been a really supportive environment, allowing me to not only develop my creative practice but also to grow as an individual. Plus, I love being able to go up to my studio in the middle of the night and play music super loud and make things. Anyways, I am so excited for our show!
2026-2027 Applications are open through January 11, 2026 at midnight. The 2026-2027 residency will run the last week of June 2026 – May 31, 2027.
Questions about the program? Contact Kelly Hider at [email protected]
