When he was a young boy Robert Alewine imagined himself becoming a fireman or maybe even a policeman. Instead, in 1983, Robert found himself packing up his family with $1500 in hand and moving to Gatlinburg, TN to open a pottery shop.
Over the years, Robert had discovered in himself an artist. In the Smoky Mountains, he found his inspiration and his home. The pottery shop is a place that customers endear themselves to Robert as well as a place where his family continues to grow. Come on the right day and you just might get to hear Robert jamming out to Aretha Franklin’s Chain of Fools alongside his companion Pepper, the shop dog.
Every artist has a favorite piece of work and for Robert that piece was a salt glazed jar crafted by him in 1978 while he was an apprentice under Louis Snyder. He convinced his dad to buy the piece back, then not knowing that years later his father would re-gift the piece back to him. It holds a special place among the pottery he has created. Family, comfort and home are the qualities Robert hopes that his customers feel with every piece of pottery that ends up in their home. Gatlingburg shopping is a unique experience for visitors and locals alike. Alewine Pottery is proud to be a part of the artisan community that finds its inspiration from the mountains and people of East Tennessee.
