Calendar of Events

Cumberland Furniture Guild

1050 World's Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm. FREE admission. For more information: (865) 525-6101, www.knoxart.org

Knoxville Opera presents a free dress rehearsal of Leoncavallo's world-famous opera, I Pagliacci (Clowns) at Knoxville's Tennessee Theatre exclusively for area students and youth groups. Based in part on a true story, Pagliacci reveals a day in the life of a famous clown who must make his audiences laugh even though his own heart is breaking. The drama, told through thrilling and powerful music, escalates into a pulse-pounding conclusion that must not be missed for sheer excitement. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations or tickets are required to attend. The Tennessee Theatre doors open at 5:30 p.m. Students, parents, teachers, youth groups, and chaperones are welcome to attend this special theatrical performance and take the seats of their choice absolutely free of charge. Don't miss this free opportunity to see the opera that made the Great Caruso an international star and the opera that brought tears to the eyes of the FBI's Public Enemy #1, gangster Al Capone. Pagliacci is presented as part of the 2009 Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival. For more information, contact Knoxville Opera at 865-524-0795 or visit the Opera website at www.knoxvilleopera.com.

612 East Depot Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. 865-524-0795, www.knoxvilleopera.com

Lunch-N-Learn: "What a Difference a Generation Makes"
TVA AUDITORIUM
Registration Fee: $10.00 (includes box lunch)
Keynote Speaker: Mr. Ron Harris

Did you know that there are 4 generations working side by side in corporate America today? As a leader are you equipped with tangible strategies for bridging generational gaps in your organization? Would you like to understand how to leverage the generations into a more compatible, cohesive and productive workforce? Join us for lunch, and learn "what a difference a generation makes." Our luncheon speaker is Mr. Ron Harris, Corporate Diversity Official at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. Mr. Harris is a regular speaker at business meetings throughout Tennessee and the country on diversity topics that impact the workplace. For the past several years, Mr. Harris has been one of our most popular and respected speakers for the Leadership Knoxville flagship program. Mr. Harris is the honored recipient of Chattanooga's Community Choice Award for Advancements in Diversity. This informative and entertaining presentation should not be missed!

Prepayment and advanced registration is required for this event. Please click on the link below to register today!
http://www.leadershipknoxville.com/?pg=165

The Knoxville Writers' Group will host Cyn Mobley at the April meeting, Wednesday, April 22, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., UT Visitors' Center, 2712 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, at the corner of Kingston Pike and Neyland Drive. She will speak on publishing and marketing one's work.

In addition to being an accomplished author, teacher, speaker, and publisher, Mobley is a former attorney, retired naval officer, and black-belt karate instructor for at-risk intervention. She also is a USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 books, both fiction and nonfiction.

She is president of Greyhound Books and Bushido Press, speaks fluently about marketing and publishing, and is an acknowledged expert on writing novels and publishing in the digital age. Mobley has written for the popular JAG television series, and the USA network optioned her most recent nonfiction work Gotcha! for a one-hour cable drama. Cyn has also hosted an internet radio call-in show on publishing options.

She has authored several techno-thrillers, such as The Last Casualty and Rites of War. Her Greyhound Chronicles include Greyhound Dancing, Greyhound Singing, and Greyhound Laughing, showcasing her love for the beautiful dogs. Her BAM (Book-a-Month) instructional books are widely acclaimed. Mobley's books can be ordered from amazon.com.

We hope to have a good crowd for this outstanding program. For reservations, call Mary McKinnon at 865-983-3740 by 12:00 noon, Monday, April 20. The hot buffet luncheon with dessert is $12.00.

This unique exhibition, featuring 34 painstakingly-crafted creations by some of Tennessee's most talented artists, blurs the distinctions between functional object and fine art. All the artists included in the exhibition are members of the Cumberland Furniture Guild, a select group of Tennessee artists who combine the best of contemporary and traditional furniture design with some surprising sources of inspiration. Their work is defined by variety rather than an identifiable regional characteristic, ranging from Greg Pennington's traditional Windsor settees to Scott Thompson's carved references to Craig Nutt's whimsical vegetable furniture.

Other Cumberland Furniture Guild artists represented in the exhibition include Chris Barber, Allen Brooks, Graham Campbell, Stephen Crump, Scott De Waard, Mark Dillon, Miles Fields, Peter D. Fleming, J. Michael Floyd, Tom Fuhrman, James Hopper, James L. Horne, Al Hudson, David Knudtson, Bob Marsh, Dale McLoud, DiAnne Patrick, Mitch Roberson, Brad Sells, Alf Sharp, Christopher Somerville, Worth Squire, Michael Summers, Matthew Teague, Scott Thompson, and Kimberly Winkle.

A members-only preview party will be held at KMA on Thursday, April 23, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Members of the Cumberland Furniture Guild will be available to speak with KMA members and discuss their work.

1050 World's Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm. FREE admission. For more information: (865) 525-6101, www.knoxart.org

As a participating member of the Dogwood Arts Festival.

422 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Gallery Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 6 PM & Sunday 1 – 5pm. More information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net

Exhibit: The Campaign to Establish Great Smoky Mountains National Park

(865) 215-8830, www.east-tennessee-history.org

Local artists have created beautiful works of art on 55-gallon rain barrels to help raise awareness about water conservation and water pollution. Barrels will be on display for the public to view. Auctioned on eBay May 16-25.
www.waterqualityforum.org

Learn how to conserve energy and water. Part of the malls' educational eco-friendly kids events
April 18, Knoxville Center Mall
April 25, West Town Mall

The 1st Annual Juried Outdoor ECO-Sculpture Exhibition & Competition. Artist reception and awards presentation during the Last Friday Art Walk on April 24 at the Davis Penthouse Loft at 7:00pm. This event is designed to coordinate with Earth Day on April 22 and Earth Round-UP on April 25. It's intended to help raise environmental awareness within our community through large-scale environmental installations and sculpture to be on public display at the Greenbelt Park in the center of Maryville. TN Senator Doug Overbey will be the guest speaker at the artist reception and a presentation about the importance of "environmental responsibility" and "recycled art" will also be given. Also part of this event will be a Community Collaborative Sculpture Project. During Last Friday Art Walk from 5 to 9 pm, the public will be encouraged to participate in a project where they add to an existing structure with provided materials, creating a "Community ECO Sculpture" by the end of the night. It will then remain on display all day on Sat. during Earth Round-UP.

For more information: (865) 740-1169, www.MaryvilleArtWalk.com

Artists from across the United States apply annually for Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts Artists-in-Residence (AIR) program, a coveted opportunity for five emerging artists. Marking the end of their 11-month artistic journey at Arrowmont is a final exhibition that showcases their recent works. On Saturday, April 18, the public is invited to meet the artists and learn more about their artwork and inspiration at a reception from 6:30-9:00 pm in the school's Main gallery.

The artists are Magda Gluszek, ceramic sculpture; Rachel Hunt, fiber, Damon McIntyre, wood; Lindsay Oesterritter, ceramics; and Susan S. Roberts, painting.

Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, 556 Parkway, PO Box 567, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. For more information: (865) 436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

Andrea Wilson will have a solo exhibit of her botanical watercolors and copperplate etchings in the Loggia Gallery at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts. Andrea won the Grand Prize in the 2008 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Art Competition and is the featured artist for this year's Pilgrimage promotional material. Opening reception for the solo exhibit is Wednesday, April 22nd from 5:30 to 7:00pm at Arrowmont.

Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, 556 Parkway, PO Box 567, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. For more information: 865-436-5860, www.AndreaWilsonArtist.com