The 2026 Appalachian Storytelling-Cycle

Painting the Hollow Saturday, July 18, 2026 | 7:00–9:00 PM Tellico Community Playhouse | 304 Lakeside Plaza, Loudon, TN

What does a summer morning in the hollow smell like? Can you hear the screen door? Do you remember how the red clay felt under your bare feet? The best stories don't just tell you what happened — they put you there.

Painting the Hollow is the next gathering of our 2026 Appalachian Storytelling-Cycle, and this time we're learning the art of sensory storytelling from one of America's greatest masters. Donald Davis — the "dean of storytelling," beloved headliner at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, and a son of the Great Smoky Mountains — will be our expert storytelling source for the evening, appearing on the big screen in a special video presentation. Davis doesn't just tell stories; he makes you feel the heat of a summer road trip, smell your grandmother's kitchen, and hear a screen door slap shut three states away. We'll watch a master at work, pause to unpack how he does it, and then put those tools in your hands.

Expect an evening of watching, learning, and doing. After studying Donald Davis's craft, you'll share a short sensory story of your own — three to five minutes, original or learned — in a small circle of friendly listeners. The best stories from each circle will be selected to share with the full room at our Open Mic. This is your chance to shine.

‍Come with a story in mind. Think of a memory that lives in your body — one you can still smell, still hear, still feel on your skin. It doesn't have to be polished. It just has to be vivid.

No stage fright required. No experience necessary. Just bring a pen or pencil, a notebook or journal, and a memory that's ready to come to life.

‍