Community Connector: Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center
The better part of a century ago, a building was constructed by the federal government on a desolate stretch of road outside of Franklin. And what was initially a facility for the Civilian Conservation Corp is now regarded as a cultural crossroads for Macon County, in the far western corner of North Carolina.
“This is a commercial enterprise run by the local community,” said Laura Brooks, executive director of Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center. “We want this place to be a hub for artists in the community, for live music, and for all kinds of programming that’s offered.”
“It’s a community center, cultural center, and heritage center all in one location,” added Barry Clinton, board chair/treasurer for Cowee School. “When we started, we wanted to attract artisans that represent the culture and history of this region, and we’ve been able to evolve into where we are today.”
Once the CCC vacated the property and the structure, known as the Cowee School, it became the education epicenter for the rural mountain communities of Macon County in 1943. By the early 2000s, the school was consolidated and closed, only to be preserved and repurposed as the Arts & Heritage Center in 2012.
“Between the pottery school, Summer Concert Series, artisan gallery, Franklin Area Folk Festival, Cowee Christmas, and other offerings, we’re continuing the mission we set out to do — become a destination for all types of activities,” Clinton said.
Aside from the several avenues of creative pursuits mentioned, the Cowee School is also home to a shared use kitchen, farmers’ market, community garden, event space, venue for mountain heritage and Cherokee preservation, and recreational/fitness facilities for local residents and visitors alike.
“It’s a little isolated out here, so there’s so much that we provide to this area of the county that nobody else does,” Brooks noted. “There are no public parks up this way, so we’re the only outdoor space for a lot of people. And we hold onto that rich history of this area, too — there’s nowhere else like it.”
“And we’ve had phenomenal support, both within the county and regionally,” Clinton added. “People from all over Southern Appalachia and the Southeast come here for the classes, exhibits, and our Summer Concert Series.”
Showcasing some of the finest Americana, bluegrass and indie-folk acts on the scene today, the 2023 Summer Concert Series will host Mountain Heart, Slocan Ramblers, Chatham Rabbits, The BorderCollies, and Unspoken Tradition, and the Blue Ridge Music Trails’ Fine Tuned Concert Series.
“We’ve been able to make a name for ourselves as a viable venue for quality live music,” Clinton said. “[Haywood County bluegrass stars] Balsam Range was our first act in 2012. From there, we’ve brought in national and international touring groups, and always sprinkling in up-and-coming performers.”
Currently celebrating over a decade of successful programming and hard-forged bonds within the communities it serves, the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center continues to push ahead in its original mission of bringing people together in the name of art, history, culture, and fellowship.
“Seeing this place come alive with people and activities makes it all worth it,” Brooks said. “It’s a lot of work, and we’re always on a small budget with a lot of volunteer hours. And to see people get excited about what we’ve put all that time into? It’s really rewarding.”
Enjoy more of our Down the Road – Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Guide here.
