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Rooted in the Past

The Arts, Identity, and the Renewal of Scott County

Stars Seth McMilllan and Andi Marrow bring the house down in a recent production of “Annie Get Your Gun.” A production of “Shakespeare in Love” opened over the weekend at the Black Box Theatre inside Scott Christian Care Center in Oneida. Performances continue on February 20, 21 at 7pm and February 22nd at 2:30pm. Visit www.ASotA.art for ticketing information.

By Shane Gilreath
SCN Contributing Editor
[email protected]

Southern Appalachia has always been rich in the arts, shaped by generations of talented craftsmen and storytellers who

Michaelan Stanley, Qualifying Winner of the Tennessee Songwriter Competition held at Gather Coffee

have shared their works with visitors and neighbors alike, even before realizing its ultimate value. Like cities and towns across the southeast, Scott County has embraced that legacy and carried it forward. All across the region, the arts are deeply tied to the culture, not merely as accoutrements to appeal to outsiders, but as cornerstones of economic growth, tourism appeal, and community resiliency. Communities that invest in the arts reap lasting benefits, from attracting visitors and supporting local businesses to fostering deep-rooted pride among citizens. In fact, a recent study from Americans for the Arts showed that the arts and cultural industry is a powerful economic engine all across the country. Nationally, arts and culture generated $151.7 billion in economic activity, supported 2.6 million jobs, providing $101 billion in personal income, and generating $29.1 billion in government revenue in 2022. In Scott County, as across Tennessee, this creative power is clearly becoming visible, grounded in the state’s long history of music and visual arts that have long shaped our communities, both big and small.

As with Scott County, the state’s artistic identity is woven deep into its very soul, into the way the state markets itself to the world. From the famed sounds of the Memphis blues and the twang of Nashville to the old-world traditions of the Appalachian Highlands, Tennessee draws artists and art lovers alike. It’s part of who the state has become. Outsiders continue to seek the area’s creative legacy, from live music and craft festivals to galleries and artisan markets, in an industry just waiting to be tapped into in other parts of the state. As with most tourist draws, visitors don’t simply pass through. They live it. They eat in local restaurants, stay in local lodgings, and shop in local stores. There is significant power in that. When that happens, the arts are not only pseudo- ambassadors for areas, but they help to drive economies.
In recent years, Scott County has tapped into that appeal, knowing that the benefit is larger than a tourism dollar, but a builder of community spirit and an impact that, perhaps, only the arts can give.
“There’s a strong amount of talent in the area that’s just a joy to witness,” Ralph Trieschmann, who is currently directing the local production of “Shakespeare in Love” told SCN.
Once talent and spirit collide, it is undeniable. The arts simple bring people together – residents and visitors, young and old, lifelong creatives and tentative beginners, who all have similar missions and dreams.
“As a personal experience, it’s through the arts that I’ve found my place, my friends, my initial comfort in moving here,” Trieschmann confessed, indicating both the community – and unity -that the arts can provide.
For young people especially, access to artistic outlets – whether through Gotta Dance Studio or the Appalachian Society of the Arts or anything in between – offers more than a simple hobby. It offers a home. It provides a place of belonging, a voice, and an outlet for expression. In areas where opportunities can feel limited – trapped inside county lines – the arts can be a lifeline, fostering confidence, connection, and identity at a critical stage of life. It’s the very thing that Ace Glaspy, President of the Appalachian Society of the Arts (ASotA), told SCN that he seeks to establish.
“I really want to see something happen in Scott County that makes it a joy for my children to live here,” he said. That dream seems to be taking serious root.
While the industry has sprung up all around Scott County, Oneida particularly has embraced the arts as a catalyst for all the positives it possesses: community growth and cultural, historical, and tourism preservation. Under the leadership of Mayor Lori Phillips-Jones, the town has made the arts a priority, commissioning public murals and inviting artists to engage with the community and the region. As Phillips-Jones told SCN, “Celebrating our history and culture through the arts is something that we don’t need to forget. Storytelling and visual arts and crafts have defined our area since its early beginnings. It’s important to have an outlet for the arts community so citizens can showcase their talents and share their crafts.”
From that belief, the momentum grew and invited others into the fold. Main Street. Music. Arts. Crafts. Writers. Performers. You can find them on street corners, at the library, Gather Coffee, or Big South Fork Brewing Company, all venues that have become stages for creative expression.
Local artist Ashley Rowe Slaven, who has deep ties to Scott County and neighboring McCreary County in Kentucky, has witnessed that growth firsthand. “The art scene is expanding in Scott County with events being held under the ASotA umbrella throughout the year, from songwriting to street performances and everything in between,” Slaven told SCN, highlighting such events as the Madrigals Christmas dinner theater at Timber Rock Lodge, spring and fall productions by Plateau Players and Plateau Junior Player productions. “A lot of time, effort, and collaboration from several entities goes into a successful performance,” Slaven said. “It’s great seeing business owners, local politicians, licensed professionals, and people from all walks of life participating. Plateau Players, which started in Scott County, now attracts talent from surrounding counties including McCreary County and Morgan County.”
That ability for the arts to bridge gaps and unite people has remained central to Phillips-Jones’ vision as well. “As a society,” she said, “we are living longer and more retirees are finding the arts are a great way to connect with others and benefit our community. As a City Mayor, it is important for me to help support the arts in any way I can, and by doing that, we enlighten and support our constituents.”
Central to this cultural resurgence is the Appalachian Society of the Arts (ASotA), a local nonprofit dedicated to enriching quality of life through artistic opportunity and collaboration, with whom both Phillips-Jones and Slaven have performed. ASotA has become an epicenter for creativity, nurturing artistic growth across disciplines.
“The art society creates space for people of all ages, abilities, and personalities, welcoming artists of all kinds and adding color, creativity, and connection to our community,” Virginia Bruce, Oneida’s Community Development Coordinator.
Most would agree with Bruce’s assessment. When SCN spoke with Glaspy, he was preparing to host youth auditions despite a winter storm, a testament to the organization’s dedication and mission.

Through that undertaking, ASotA works to ensure access for everyone, to ignite passion among locals, and partnering with individuals and organizations to cultivate the kind of growth that it vital to the future, welcoming in not only those from Scott County but throughout surrounding communities in Tennessee and Kentucky.
“The arts are bringing friends and families from other areas into Scott County and giving people a chance to see stage performances locally without driving to Knoxville or Cookeville,” Slaven told SCN, highlighting exactly what the arts can do. “Those people coming into a performance make a night of it and eat at local restaurants before or after the show and have the opportunity to shop locally and boost the economy in Scott County. It’s also great for those of us who have a love of theater to be able to participate in the arts.”
The result is clear. Through the diligence and hard work of local leadership, artists, nonprofits, and community groups, the arts have become essential. From economic renewal to tourism appeal and youth empowerment, the arts in Oneida and Scott County-at-large are building bridges to a more vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous future.