Joe & Pat McAllister
- Cherokee Mountain is home to Cherokee Mountain Gallery and Cherokee Mountain Lodging; Joe and Pat McAllister are the owners. Both are from Louisiana and both are graduates from Louisiana State University. After graduation, Joe attended Naval Officers' Candidate School , and as a new Ensign, was assigned as the Public Relations Officer with the Polaris Submarine Squadron in Rota, Spain. Pat soon followed with their 1 year-old son Christopher. They spent the next 4 years in Spain, loving every minute of it. Pat taught art in the DOD school system, and Joe did his Navy thing, i.e. teaching, water skiing behind the commanders barge and conducting tours for the visiting dignitaries of the numerous Sherry Bodegas, (tough, but somebody had to do it).
- 1970 sees the family back in the States with Joe's Navy tour complete. However, both Joe and Pat loved Europe and were looking for a way back. Luckily, Joe's language abilities attracted the attention of an intelligence organization (U.S. we think).
- While training with this "company" , their daughter, Erin, was born in Virginia. Shortly after with 8 month old Erin and 5 year old Chris in tow, Pat and Joe were back on their way to Europe. Arriving in Bremerhaven, Germany in 1971. Living there through 1974 was a wonderful and unique experience. Lifelong memories were made.
- In 1975, Joe was transferred to Italy. Sunny Napali was quite a contrast to the North Sea. Living in a villa that overlooked the ancient (800 BC) city of Cuma and the Bay of Pozzuoli wasn't bad. Chris, now in the third grade, was learning his third language. Erin was in Kindergarten, and Pat was enjoying their beautiful home, and shopping in Naples.
Unfortunately, the time was short in Italy. Joe's job took a sharp turn and they were off again. This time across the world, to the Philippines, arriving in Manila in the winter of 1975. After making the cultural adjustment of living under Marshall Law with Marcos and Emmelda, the family settled in. Michael Ryan, the youngest and last child, was born in Manila in 1976.
- There were definitely some advantages to living in the Philippines in 1976. Joe and Pat's staff at home included a driver, a children's nurse, a cook, and a gardner/handyman.
- In 1977, Joe's "company" was disbanded and thus, the family " on the move" again. This time to Houston, TX.
- Houston was as much a cultural adjustment as Manila had been.
The Houston years (1977-1984) saw Pat emerging as a professional artist, as she sold her paintings. First in Texas, and soon ……. All over. These were hard years, as Joe and Pat learn to live in the "real" world.
- Joe took a position with an underwater consulting firm, and was again required to travel all around the world.
In 1979, Joe left the consulting company to work full time with Pat and her blossoming art business.
- In 1984, they again pulled up roots and moved to "not so real" Eureka Springs, AR, where they still are today. Pat and Joe travel all over the United States doing Native American Art Shows. They are often gone, but if you are lucky, you may catch this interesting and talented pair at the Gallery. If not, you will be pleasantly welcomed by their daughter Erin or son Chris, and be awstruck by the talented art of youngest son Michael Ryan.
