My husband and I took a trip to the Smoky Mountains for my 30th birthday, and I really wanted to find a piece of art for our home that would represent such a meaningful milestone weekend. I was honestly disappointed by how much touristy junk there was everywhere. We walked by Twisted Vessel after breakfast and were immediately blown away (no pun intended with the blown glass ) by the quality of the work in the window. Within seconds of stepping inside, I couldn't believe how incredible the artwork was. The gentleman at the counter, who I later learned was the artist and owner, Steve, was incredibly kind. I had set my coffee and some of our other purchases outside because I didn't want to bring them into the studio and disrespect the space. He immediately offered for me to bring everything inside and set it in the corner so it wouldn't sit out in the heat. My husband and I ended up talking with Steve for almost two hours. He had the most phenomenal stories. He made us laugh, and he made us cry. If we hadn't needed to drive home that evening, we probably could have stayed there all day, or until he kicked us out. We left with the most beautiful hummingbird, which now hangs in our kitchen window. Steve gave me a card with a story about a the hummingbird "doing their part" during a hard situation, and it symbolized hope. With my dad currently in hospice, that little card and hummingbird have taken on an incredibly special meaning for me. I couldn't have found a more meaningful piece to bring home from my 30th birthday trip. Two weeks after our trip, I happened to look up Twisted Vessel again and was genuinely flabbergasted by some of the negative reviews, particularly the ones complaining about parking or Steve's demeanor. Our experience could not have been more different. Steve could not have been more pleasant with us. I think the difference is that we weren't looking for another tourist stop. We genuinely appreciated the art, the craftsmanship, and the stories behind the work. This isn't somewhere you go simply to park your car and check another attraction off your list. It's a place to slow down, appreciate art, and talk with an artist who clearly has a passion for what he does. Truly a diamond in the rough. I can't wait for our next trip back so we can purchase another piece and, hopefully, spend even more time talking with Steve. read more

The gentleman who runs the gallery is so rude. Has no customer service skills. Walked around for a couple of minutes and decided this was not the place to be. read more

Avoid. Please keep his parking lot empty. I hope the darling plant store finds a better location without a bridge troll scaring away vacationing people with money to spend. Echoing others' bad experiences - this gallery is operated by a rude man. Lucky for him, he seems to be extracting rent from a tenant business because otherwise, I can't imagine how he'd stay in business being such an a-hole. Like others, it's worth noting we were, in fact, customers who shopped the shops before daring go assume we could walk to nearby businesses. At the coffee shop next door, they had a Bible and asked how they could pray for you...I regret not putting this man in the prayer box. He needs it. Poor thing. read more

The older man that works there is rude and unfriendly! He asked us to leave the store because he thought my nephew was taking photos but he was checking his messages instead. I will never go back in that store or recommend it to anyone. read more

We will always visit the Twisted Vessel Gallery during our Pigeon Forge trips! We stumbled upon them a few years back and always have the most amazing conversations with the owners. They are fascinating, talented artisans! The negative reviews I see all seem to revolve around parking. As the owner of the establishment, they are well within their rights to reserve parking for customers only. We've even asked if we could remain parked there while we ate next door and they graciously allowed us to do so. So many folks feel irrationally entitled to park wherever they please these days. Bottom line: Make the Twisted Vessel a priority destination! Appreciate the talent and work that goes into their goods and take time to listen to the stories and background behind the work. You won't regret it! read more

THIS PLACE SUCKS! I'm a customer and I can't even park in Customer parking?! The Owner tracked me down the street TOLD me to move my car or he will tow it... 30 minutes after I supported the business next to his and tried to support his gallery.... No the owner is a scumbag and I don't recommend you support this place... very rude owner indeed, this place lost a customer... read more

Twisted Vessel Gallery - A CRAPPY GALLERY WITH A SCUMBAG OWNER - Art Galleries Near Me - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

See all

Rude gallery owner(and apparently landlord of the property). Arrived at noon on a Tues because the shop looked inviting. NO cars in parking lot. We step behind the car and are discussing whether to enter the art gallery or plant shop next door first. Moustached gallery owner steps out and tells us to move our car because he only has 5 spots for potential customers. Again, NO ONE else in parking lot but us. Told him I was going to be a customer and moved my car to the espresso shop next door. While ordering my espresso, saw him do the same thing to 3 other cars. No wonder he had no one in his store. read more

See all

The twisted vessel more like the twisted testicle. Rumor has It You managed to park in all five spots and spill a drop of coffee in the store The owners will disintegrate like vampires in the sunlight. The local say it's the only way to end the curse but the owners are too powerful! Beware! Seriously though this isn't even about the parking The people are just very rude staring at me as I walked up to the parking lot not greeting me as I was in the store and being rude and dismissive when I asked them questions about some items I was interested in buying for my grandfather. The later after I walked out of their store they yelled at me about the parking also. Jokes on you I dumped my 2 day old Florida road trip piss bottle on the floor of your parking lot how does that smell? Next time I come back to buy some candles from next door I'm going to give a big middle finger to the twisted nipple read more

It was a pleasure to view the pieces displayed in this unique shop. Reminder: take your time. We were fortunate to meet a story teller within the structure. Reminder: listen The piece we purchased has joined a treasured grouping in our small abode. Reminder: Appreciate the art. Thank you Twisted Vessel Gallery read more

THIS PLACE IS HORRIBLE! Owners are as rude as rude can be!!! I would never again go anywhere near this store! The way I saw her treat a customer was shocking and how she spoke to them. What was even worse as it was a disabled veteran she was treating the way she was and taking down to so badly. MAKE SURE YOU STAY AWAY FEOM THIS PLACE! Other business owners next to them were actually apologizing and saying please don't think we are like that and confuse us with them!!! read more

Not to confuse with the plant store (kind folks). owner of art store was rude. we were seriously thinking buying but her attitude about parking was bizarre. read more

RUN FOREST RUN!! I rarely would give a" ONE" star but this is well deserved. After this experience and then reading others reviews the Owners need a wake up call. Your reviews starting 9 years ago that have been consistently poor. Entered during Fall break and plentiful crowds however not 1 car in there parking lot what a shocker Now I understand why. Upon arriving a older lady/owner started yelling about parking before my feet hit the ground. She jumped to conclusions I was not going to purchase at her store. This is the most absurd statement someone could say before you enter the establishment. Needless to say I told her no one will want to do business someplace with people who are unkind and not welcoming. She literally has killed her business running people away!! read more

Woman/owner working was very rude. A group of three of us parked in her parking lot to come into her shop but two of the group were going next door to get coffee before coming in the the shop. While I was telling them what I wanted she came outside to tell me the parking was for her business only. She had no idea we were coming into her business she just jumped to the conclusion that we weren't visiting her shop. I went into the shop and was texting my girlfriend and the woman accused me of taking pictures. So I immediately left and would never buy anything in here because of how rude she was. I was looking for a present for my mom but would never spend a penny here. read more

The owner is RUDEEEE!!! We asked him a simple question and he starts screaming at us. He was griping at other customers as well. The parking lot stays empty and it's definitely from this man's disrespect attitude. There is a way to talk to customers, and he just apparently hates making money. Definitely go to a different shop with nice owners! I would rate this place a negative rating if I could. DO NOT GO HERE!!!! read more

My favorite source for beautiful art for my home. Visiting with the owner is always an added bonus. We get up to that area every couple of years and Twisted Vessel is my first stop. I love to see what Steve has in his shop. My husband and I have been going there for years and have so many treasures from there. Have some respect for the parking rules and you'll be just fine. read more

Very rude owner, maybe that's why the place is empty. Do not recommend stopping by. There are plenty of other glass shops in old mill with friendly people. read more

I love this place, the artwork, the owners, the artist and it's THEIR PARKING LOT and have every right and authority to manage their property the way they see fit! Has anyone ever heard of insurance liability, taxes and cost of operation? I have! I'm a business owner and own a private parking lot. read more

The staff/owners of this establishment were extremely rude. Had the feeling that we were not wanted as customers.

The woman working here is the WORST. We parked in the parking lot outside the store to shop and circle back at this place as our last stop. We didn't want to leave our purchases in the car and thought this was the best plan. Also, I didn't want my mom walking so far in the heat, since she is undergoing chemo for stage 4 cancer. The woman working here came out shouting, waving her arms stating that the parking was only for patrons. If she had any class at all she could have at least ASKED if we were going to shop at her store. Instead she was a snobby B--and made an assumption....guess who is NEVER shopping there NOW?! Also, we're local and WOULD have been happy to refer our family when visiting the area. However, we have ZERO inclination to do so now. Maybe this woman's time could have been better spent being welcoming to those who were in her store instead of monitoring the parking lot. read more

I went into the candle shop next door and purchased a tea pot. The cantankerous owner of this place immediately started harassing me about parking. The lot was empty, but I had to move. They threatened to call the cops. Why would anyone pay a shop owner to be treated as a nuisance? There are so many great shops with nice staff near by. Don't waste your time here. read more

Owner was very nice and told us stories about the artists. This was our second visit and we picked up another Jack Pine pumpkin.

What a prick the owner of this place is!!! I can't imagine he will be in business for much longer, so if there is anything you want from this store you should get it soon. My girlfriend took a pic of an item she wanted to send her mom and he bit her head off and said for her to erase it because he has had someone steal his ideas before. Then I walked out and while my girlfriend was still in there shopping he said "they weren't going to buy anything anyways they were just wanting ideas for them to make themselves" give me a break man! I think you're safe from people copying your trinkets. Just for the record I'm not an artist and I would've bought her anything she liked, and for her mom too if she wanted. If he wanted us to not take pics there is a much nicer way of saying things. Save yourself the time and skip this one. read more

DO NOT SHOP HERE!!! The old woman working at this shop clearly just hates customers. So completely rude and seemed irritated that we were in the store. We didn't even park there, so that wasn't even the issue. There was actually a piece I wanted to buy in the glass case, but she was too busy on a personal phone call. I made eye contact trying to signal I was ready to purchase, but she continued her mindless chatting for 15 minutes with no intention of helping me. I just left the store empty handed, which was fine with me because I don't want to contribute to this place staying in business. read more

I wish I could give no stars! Very rude and yelled at us in front of another couple for parking in front of their store. We only wanted coffee from next door. We would have only been parked for 10 minutes tops. Also there was no one else in the entire parking lot. What business??? NO ONE ELSE WAS PARKED THERE!!! read more

I find the reviews that complain about parking suspicious. I parked in their lot multiple times, even visiting nearby store without issue. And this was during the solar eclipse so parking was at a premium. I visited this store in August 2017 and bought a few pieces. I wish I could have bought more! I chatted with the owner about art and our plans for eclipse viewing for quite a while, and enjoyed the conversation. I even came back a second time during my trip and the woman working couldn't have been more pleasant. read more

Didn't even get a chance to go in the store before we were run out of the parking lot by the owner of the store. He was very perturbed by the fact we were looking at the coffee shop next door as a next destination. I wasn't really surprised that the parking lot was empty after we were run out given his attitude. The coffee shop next door is pleasant, however. read more

Do not patronize this establishment. The proprietor very rudely insists that you can only park in the lot in front of his store WHILE YOU ARE IN HIS STORE. If you don't find anything interesting in his meager selection of rather cheesy attempts at modern abstract art and accessories, he insists that you park somewhere else the minute you leave his store. Please show him how much his selfishness costs him by NOT buying anything from this store. read more

If I could give no stars I would. The owner and staff are very rude in that they are more concerned that we do not park in their parking place than if we were interested in their products. We arrived at their store to be greeted with a woman running out of the store to place a no parking sign close the parking spot were we parked. We proceeded to walk in the store an my father in law overheard the man tell the woman to make we know about the parking. We proceeded to look around the store and they watched over us like hawks. No kidding it was uncomfortable. Neither one of them greeted us or even said a word. So as we left the store we walked to the store that is connected to theirs.( in the same strip mall) and the man yelled at the woman to tell her to let us know. So the woman ran to the door just as I had exited and told me that could not park were we had parked and that we would be towed. There is only like 6 parking spots in their lot and we wanted to look in both stores. I drove my car to park in another location . On my way back to meet up with the rest of my group I heard the woman telling another group of shoppers that they cannot park in the parking lot unless they were shopping in their store. The kicker is that they may have went into their store but they were harassed before they could even get their. Meanwhile we shopped at a store a couple of stores away and bought some awesome fudge. As we walked back by the twisted gallery, we had to laugh at the woman again harassing another couple about the parking before they could even get to the door. They obviously do not need to sell anything as it appears that their main goal in life is to run people out of their parking lot. Maybe if they would allow people to fell comfortable and appreciated they may get a lot more customers. I would never shop here again . The owners are just way to rude. Why would anyone give them business when they treat potential customers so poorly. read more

Yes, the store seems to have a small inventory, but this is a gallery, not a souvenir store!! What they have is artwork...and beautiful. We were there this past week and the owner was polite and very informative. From now on it will be the first place we'll visit in Pigeon Forge to see what is new! read more

Worst owners ever. Asked me to leave because they needed the parking for other customers. All out of towners steer clear. Horribly rude for absolutely no reason. read more

No stars!!! Rude!!! More concerned that no one parked in their lot. We were there to look and shop. But because we didn't go in her store first, we couldn't park there. REALLY? Maybe this is why her store was empty, no shoppers. My advise... Stay away! Too many other FRIENDLY stores around that wants your business. I also shared this info on Facebook asking all my friends to let this go viral. read more

The owners are incredibly rude, as stated in the other review. Our family was looking around and were screamed at several times not to take photographs, something that was not posted. Their attitude towards customers is appalling and I will not be returning. read more

The store has the most beautiful high quality and unusual art pieces. I have purchased several pieces in various mediums for our home and received many compliments from our friends, they are all one-of-a-kind. I am a photographer and very picky what I am selecting, the only limit was my pocketbook, I could have bought every item in the gallery, which is very unusual for me. The owner was not pushy and very interesting and easy to talk to. read more

Awful store!!! If you want to continue having a good day... don't go into his store. He yells at you (and I do mean yells - loudly) at you if you touch anything, or even to be going to touch. And He also yells at people for parking in front of his store and walking away. It is not necessary to yell at people. He is so hateful. I overheard him telling customers he didn't know where a glass store was when there was one right next door. There is great stuff in there, but I wouldn't shop there ever again due to his mean spirited attitude. Anyone who is that full of himself doesn't deserve my money. read more

The person running the gallery actually sighed when we walked in the door, No greeting or acknowledgement just a sigh. The entire time we browsed the gallery not a word was said. We left the gallery and began to walk to the next store. He came out of the gallery and told us we had 5 minutes to get out of his parking lot or he would have us towed. First nasty person we have dealt with in all of our trips to Pigeon Forge. Was he having a bad day or what? read more