Calendar of Events

In the history of opera there is perhaps no iconic image more well-known than that of tenor Enrico Caruso as the clown in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci. His million–seller recording of the opera's famous heartbreaking tune "Ridi, Pagliaccio" launched the opera on a journey of unequaled popularity in songs, movies, commercials, cartoons, and television! Knoxville Opera's Rossini Festival production of Pagliacci with projected English translations will tear up the stage at the Tennessee Theatre on Saturday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 p.m. The dynamic cast, under the baton of Maestro Brian Salesky, stars tenor Michael Hayes as the betrayed clown, turning laughter into tears.

Preceding the opening performance, a complete scene from the Festival opera will be performed on the outdoor Opera Stage at Knoxville Opera's free admission Rossini Festival Italian Street Fair (Saturday, April 25 , Noon – 9:00 p.m.) on Gay Street. The Pagliacci cast and chorus in costume will delight the crowd at 5:15 p.m. with the opening scene during which an Italian travelling clown comedy troupe arrives to announce its evening performance. Pagliacci will be performed in its original two-act, uncut 1½-hour version with one intermission. Maestro Brian Salesky will offer an onstage Opera Preview at 1:45 p.m. prior to the Sunday performance. For tickets ($10 and up for students, $15 and up for adults), please call the Knoxville Opera Box Office at 865-524-0795, extension 1.

Thursday, April 23 at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, April 24 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m.

Bijou Theatre, 803. S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. More information: (865) 974-8935, www.music.utk.edu/events

Mini-festival where children with mental and physical challenges celebrate the arts with music and movement, drama, visual and performing arts, and hands-on arts activities at West High School. More information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

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

A FORK IN THE ROAD, an M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition by Hillary Dana Williams at the UT Downtown Gallery. You are invited to come look, read, dig in, learn & share April 17-24. Please join us for a closing reception Friday, April 24, 6:00-9:00pm. There will also be an Earth Day Potluck with local farmers, Wednesday, April 22, 6:00-7:30pm. For more information please visit www.aforkintheroad.org.

106 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Wednesday-Friday 11-6, Saturday 10-3. FREE. For more information: (865) 673-0802, www.ewing-gallery.org