The Maker City

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Knoxville, TN
The Maker City

We bring together makers, developers, manufacturers, city officials, and entrepreneurs to create and develop a stronger maker community.

The Maker City started after a small team from Knoxville attended the first Etsy Maker Cities Summit in Brooklyn in May 2016. The team included a local maker, retailer, and city official. The idea was simple: to join 14 other teams from across the country, learn from each other, and walk away with an actionable plan to make our city more supportive of micro businesses. We left knowing that we need

ed to host a similar event in Knoxville, bringing together micro-businesses, manufacturers, and city officials in the same room. The ETSY MAKER CITY SUMMIT was held at The Mill & Mine on September 19, 2016. Alongside Etsy, whose industry leading online platform is driving creative entrepreneurship and manufacturing policies around the world, they explored what makes Knoxville the perfect “Maker City” through a series of interactive panel discussions about maker spaces, growing a business and creative manufacturing. Nearly 400 people attended the Etsy Maker City Summit, which kicked off Innov865 Week. Joined by Etsy representatives and the MakeKnox team, Mayor Rogero officially proclaimed Knoxville a 'Maker City' and announced the Maker Council.

09/03/2026

is one of the new members of the Mayor's Maker Council.

Curtis Glover, is an unique and innovative artist hailing from Knoxville, TN, known for his dynamic fusion of traditional and contemporary styles. Curtis Glover has been painting professionally since the beginning of 2016.

"I believe I would be able to spread more public art in highly visible areas, involving organizations and non-profits to further achieve their goals, while adding to the artistic culture of the city."

09/02/2026

🦋 Join Cattywampus Puppet Council for a moving celebration of Dolly Parton’s life, love, and legacy on First Friday, September 4th.

Parade, dance, and sing your way down to Market Square with Cattywampus Puppet Council and Honkers, Bangers, and Shakers Marching Band as we reflect on Dolly Parton’s impact on our region, our world, and our own lives 🦋✨

What did Dolly mean to you? What did she teach you? What does it mean to honor her legacy? What piece of her do you want to take forward with you in your own story?

Bring offerings to place at the mural - art, flowers, or anything else that feels meaningful. Dress bold, bright, colorful - wear and carry things that represent what Dolly means to you.

Lineup at 6:30 pm on the lawn of the City County Building - 400 Main Street.
The parade will kick off at 7pm, turning left onto Main Street, right on Walnut, right on Cumberland, and left onto Market Street.

The celebration will end up at the Market Square Stage right around the corner from the Strong Alley Dolly Parton Mural.

09/01/2026

Maker Directory Spotlight ✨

"I hand stamp metal for jewelry and gifts. I stamp on various metals and vintage utensils.

I hand stamp on metal and vintage utensils to make jewelry and gifts. While using a hammer and different sized letters and other stamps I place words, phrases, names or small designs on each item. I love to give old spoons and forks new life."

Connect with through their Maker Directory Profile! We really like how they added several photos to their profile. If you want to update the photos on your profile, you can do so at anytime.

https://themakercity.org/maker/archie-liggett-jewelry/

08/31/2026

Kiana Jones, founder of Plush Moon Terrarium Co has joined the Mayor's Maker Council!

"Hello, my name is Kiana Jones (she/her). I am founder and educator of Plush Moon Terrarium Co. I "make" with mixed media, involving mostly botanical and natural elements. My favorite element of how I make, is that I can integrate miniature enclosed worlds, through creative expression and intention!

I would like to help bridge the gap between creativity and commerce for local makers by better understanding the challenges they face in selling, pricing, visibility, and long-term sustainability, while also helping create space for honest conversations around market fit and growth."

08/30/2026

The Innov865 Alliance’s premier event is 865 Fest, a full-day entrepreneurial event hosting visionary keynotes, premier pitch competitions, thought-provoking panels, and much more to explore how big ideas move from concept to reality.

Gather alongside Knoxville’s brightest founders, investors, executives and business leaders for insights on transformative tech, bold business moves and regional success stories.

Any high school, college, graduate, or one-year post-graduate student with a startup or startup idea is encouraged to apply for the Emerging Entrepreneur Pitch Competition

This year’s 865 Fest on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Bridgewater Place in Knoxville, TN!

Learn more and apply:
https://www.innov865.com/apply/

08/27/2026

Congratulations to on their grand opening last week! We are looking forward to creative events, art openings and community happenings in this space.

Read more about the opening from :
https://insideofknoxville.com/2026/08/magnolia-art-house-opens-its-doors-to-local-creatives/

08/26/2026

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

As we welcome the new members of the Mayor’s Maker Council, it is time to say a quick thanks to the exiting members.

Bailey Foster of Real Good Kitchen | Shared Commercial Kitchen, Ty's Eye with The Bottom and Black Atticus of Park City Printing & Graphics have all served their terms!

Knoxville has a more vibrant maker community because of the time they have spent working together with other creatives on the council.

THANK YOU! And we will see y’all at the 2027 Maker City Summit (and a million times before).

08/25/2026

Thank you Nikki Elliott for sharing your valuable expertise during the Tax Form Review & Strategy Session at Knoxville Entrepreneur Center yesterday!

If you want to know more about our upcoming workshops and events, head to our website and subscribe to our newsletter.

08/20/2026

Knox Makers is looking for vendors for their upcoming market!

The Knox Makers Market at Knox Makers in South Knoxville, is a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and hands-on making. It's going down on October 4th from Noon to 5 PM. Head to their website to apply to be a vendor.

https://market.knoxmakers.org/

Photo from Show & Share night by Holly Rainey.

08/19/2026

The Maker City Directory Spotlight:

"Hi! I’m an aromatherapist who lives in Knoxville and has been creating proprietary essential oil blends, body products bug repellent, remedy blends & tinctures to promote well being of body, mind & spirit. My company is Wild W**d Organic and I’ve been in business locally since 2014. I’m a member of East TN Farm Markets and I have a shop at The Painted Tree, 9630 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN where one can find all my products as well as my website: WildW**dOrganic.com"

Add your creative business to The Maker City Directory (no cost involved). It only takes a few minutes! themakercity.org

Address

17 Market Square #101
Knoxville, TN
37902

Website

http://themakercity.org/

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