Expert in Residence at The Swag, a luxury mountain resort in NC
Perched almost a mile above sea level on the summit of the Great Smoky Mountains, The Swag combines authentic hospitality with epic natural beauty. Step into our luxury hideaway and take a moment away.
2023-24 Experts in Residence
Connect to our mountains by learning from those who know it best. Watch Appalachian musicians light up our lodge, learn delicious skills from our resident chefs at a Swag cooking class, or marvel at the natural world with our renowned naturalists.
Sketch-Journaling in the Smokies
Kate Furman Patterson was born, raised and currently lives in Greenville, SC. She works full time for herself as the jewelry designer and goldsmith of Kate Furman Jewelry. Her handmade heirloom jewelry is known for its raw, refined and natural aesthetic.
Kate grew up exploring our wilderness as a whitewater kayaker. She has taught metal-smithing, drawing and watercolor classes at the Greenville Center for Creative Arts, but currently is focused on her jewelry business, husband Ben and raising two baby girls. She received her BFA from the University of Georgia and her MFA from Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) both specializing in “jewelry and metalsmithing” and has exhibited her art nationally and internationally.
Five years of whitewater raft guiding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming taught Kate how to safely share her love of the outdoors with guests, while studying abroad in Latin America with just a few sketchbooks and pens gave her the experience to lead “sketch-journaling” here in our Smoky Mountains. She has also illustrated a children’s book for an Asheville, NC author entitled “Be a Smile Maker” and won Greenville, SC “Best Local Visual Artist” award five times!
Kate will lead day hikes and “sketch-journaling” sessions, teach drawing workshops and delve into the world of gemstones and precious metals. Absolutely no artistic experience is needed to participate. Kate particularly loves working with beginners!"
-curtesy of The Swag website