Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center is built upon a strong foundation, beginning with the settlement of the Cherokee people in the Cowee Valley.
“From a mound dating back to 648 A.D., to the mountains to the floodplain to Needmore Tract, to the preservation of West’s Mill, this area is rich in its history,” said Franklin’s Vice Mayor Stacy Guffey, who was the first director of the school and one of the founding members to shape what the school is today. Guffey speaks from his own personal experience, since he grew up in Cowee and spent many days exploring the woods and “hollers” as he walked to visit grandparents and other family members.
The school originally opened as an elementary school in 1943. It had formerly been the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp.
“In the 1940s and ’50s, community clubs were a vital part of each rural area and Cowee School was the center of this community. So, when the Macon County School Board made the decision to consolidate Iotla Elementary and Cowee Elementary, this very active community knew they did not want to lose this building,” explained Guffey.
Cowee School closed in 2012.
Before he was a heritage center director, Guffey was a county planner. So when the future of the school was under consideration, he shared, “There were generations of connections to the school as the hub for Cowee, and its residents recognized the historic value as well.”
Because the school represented the anchor to Cowee valley’s entryway, when talks first began about the consolidation of the two schools, the Cowee Community Club got busy making plans. Years of work and planning began and a business plan was developed.
“There was tremendous support from the Macon County Board of Commissioners and Kevin Corbin was the chairman of the school board,” said Guffey. Sixty-nine years after opening the elementary school, the property was transferred from the Macon County School Board to Macon County.
New life in an old stone building
Within a year of closing, the school re-opened as Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center and housed six resident artists and businesses. Cowee Textiles was the first tenant and Teresa Bouchonnet is still a fixture. And, Cowee Pottery opened. Alarka Expeditions, Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy, Carol Conti Studio, and Carolina Textiles round out the current full-time residents of the schooly. The Dance Arts Co-op uses the gymnasium four days a week. Interwoven Wellness, Fit and Fun, and the Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild use the co-worker space room each week. These residents provide ongoing classes in painting, yoga, movement therapy, pottery, dance, fiber arts, and nature workshops.
Once a quarter, a Community Free Art Day is held, which allows participants to work with the resident artists as well as guest artists.
“Cowee School is essential to ensuring that future generations have access to the tools and inspiration they need to thrive,” said William Richardson, an active volunteer, when asked about the school. Preserving arts, culture, and history from the Cherokee and Appalachian people is the foundation for the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center.
Making sure that the resident artists and the community engaged is Laura Brooks, current executive director of the school.
“We are always looking for new opportunities to offer classes here,” said Brooks.
Brooks is also very committed to finding grants so that most of the programs are free of charge. The school is also largely supported by generous sponsors and donors and as well as “tip jar” money collected during special events. Madison Traviss, development director, explained that community support, whether by cash donations or by volunteering, is vital to the success of Cowee School.
“Our largest event is Cowee Christmas and it is run very efficiently by our volunteers and our board leadership,” said Traviss, noting that Claire Suminski has chaired the event for 10 years and “her guidance is invaluable for this event.”
Christmas hands-on activities for children fill the gym during this annual event.
Cowee School also offers a speakers’ series on the third Monday of each month, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The “Where We Live: History, Nature and Culture” series is designed to give people an opportunity to learn more about the local area from many different angles. Topics have included National Forests history and impact, importance of wetlands, restoration of the American chestnut; and, coming up this month, the lecture series will focus on the history and importance of public libraries in Macon County.
A favorite event is the concert series, which features nationally renowned musicians. In March, “Unspoken Tradition” performed and attracted more than 75 attendees on a Sunday afternoon. Upcoming music events include “Aubrey Eisenman and the Clydes” and “Asheville Mountain Boys.”
Music, poetry reading, and storytelling are a mainstay for Open Mic Night, held on Friday night once a month. A baby grand piano was donated to the school, and it is often played on those nights.
Plus, the outside of the campus has been the site of such events as Macon County Folk Heritage Festival, and is also where some vendors – especially ones with animals – set up during Cowee Christmas. Families regularly use the playground, basketball courts, and track. A large pavilion with picnic benches is available for use as well. But the largest crowds come from the Farmer’s Market from May through late August during the growing season. Besides having fresh produce and beautiful flowers grown locally, folks can purchase breads and pastries, along with jams, jellies, and honey.
The Community Garden at Cowee School offers a place to grow produce for people who do not have access to a gardening area. The wide open, sunny gardening spot is between the school building and the school cafeteria and has access to water.
Cowee School remains a vibrant center for Cowee residents as well as all the citizens of Macon County. It is also a draw for visitors to the area. Programs and events can be found on the school’s website and on social media. For more information on all that Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center offers, visit https://www.coweeschool.org/. Or, call (828) 369-4080, or email [email protected].