Calendar of Events

The Knoxville Museum of Art introduces Contemporary Focus, a new series that recognizes, supports, and documents the development of contemporary art in East Tennessee. Each year the KMA will feature several emerging artists who work in new and experimental ways. Contemporary Focus 2009 presents the work of three remarkable artists: Hunt Clark, Patricia Tinajero, and David Wolff. Hunt Clark studied art at the University of Tennessee with a focus in painting and sculpture. Clark is best known for his intricately curved, organic shapes that he carves out of large blocks of wood or constructs with large inflatable structures. Patricia Tinajero is an assistant professor in the department of sculpture at the University of Tennessee. Born in Quito, Ecuador, Tinajero often uses her work to raise questions about cultural identity and social practice. As part of Contemporary Focus, Tinajero has built a large sculpture in KMA's south garden. David Wolff, a 1991 graduate of the University of Tennessee, paints with a delicate and thoughtful touch. Deeply inspired by Renaissance and Medieval art, Wolff's abstract scenes become intensely realistic. Wolff runs the Fluorescent Gallery in downtown Knoxville which has become a backbone of Knoxville's downtown arts district. The opening reception at the KMA on Thursday, September 3, 2009, from 7-9pm is free and open to the public. 1050 World's Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918. Open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 10am–5pm, Friday 10am–8pm, and Sunday 1pm–5pm. Admission and parking are free. Information: 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org

Anton Vidokle is one of many artists who recognize the educational potential of art, but his productions usually do not manifest themselves in the form of traditional art objects. In the place of sculpture or painting, Vidokle creates work in the shape of social forms familiar to us – such as libraries, schools, and public conversations. This exhibition presents several projects Vidokle has produced over the last decade: publications from e-flux, an NYC based artist resource and art video distribution center founded in 1999; the model of unitednationsplaza, a free year-long school based in Berlin initiated by the artist in 2006; a station of texts and lectures from seminars at Night School, an artist commission in the form of a temporary school at the New Museum in New York City (January 2008- February 2009); New York Conversations, a feature film shot by the artist in 2008 with Nico Dockx , Rirkrit Tiravanija, and A Prior Magazine; and a comprehensive archive of over one hundred lectures, talks, and seminars organized by Vidokle throughout the past three years in Berlin, Mexico City and New York. Anton Vidokle was born in Moscow and arrived in the United States in 1981. He is currently based in New York and Berlin. 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

September 1-30
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. For more information: (865) 525-6101 or www.knoxart.org.

Featuring painter Gary Dagnan and fabric artist Elaine Fronczek. The Gallery will host an opening on Friday, September 4. Operating hours Tuesday – Saturday 11-6 and Sunday 1-5. 422 S. Gay St., Knoxville. 865-525-5265 or www.artmarketgallery.net.

The objects featured in this exhibit, ones seen publicly for the first time, are drawn from a private collection developed over the past 30 years by an adventuresome couple from Ten­nes­see. What started as a simple memento of the Southwest—a pair of small kachina dolls purchased in Santa Fe, New Mexico—eventually led to a remarkably rich and diverse collection of items produced by Indian peoples throughout all culture areas of Native North America. With each new specimen, the couple wanted to learn more about not only the object itself but also the cultural context within which it was made and used. Each new item added momentum to the couple's quest to expand and diversify their holdings. They were increasingly drawn to the scholarly literature on Indian art; they visited museums and Indian reservations across the United States and Canada; and they initiated contact with well-known dealers from coast to coast. They also began tailoring their vacations to match their collecting interests concerning the work of particular Indian artists, artifact types, and culture areas. All of this activity was fueled by the desire to broaden their understanding of the material culture of Native Americans. Their history of collecting can best be characterized as a journey of discovery, one they hope the viewer will share while touring this exhibit. The beautifully crafted pieces represent only a fraction of the holdings contained in this remarkable private collection. Information: 1327 Circle Park Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996. 865-974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

In the Blain Galleries. Opening reception August 21, 6:00 – 8:00 pm. 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN. Information at 865-436-5860 or www.arrowmont.org.

The exhibition brings together the works of six contemporary Tennessee sculptural artists—Jason Brown, Knoxville; Greely Myatt, Memphis; Greg Pond, Sewanee; Deborah McClary, Sparta; Audrey Russell, Greenville, and Jackson Martin, Johnson City.  These artists engage the human experience of understanding place in shifting natural and cultural landscapes. In this exhibit, six sculptors representing the different regions of Tennessee work in a range of media from organic materials such as wood, dirt and coal to electronic video and audio. Local and personal objects merge with global issues in a diverse range of perspectives on the concept of landscape. Although based in Tennessee, these artists have exhibited extensively throughout the US and abroad. There will be an exhibition reception on Sunday, October 4, from 1-4 PM. The artists will be present and refreshments will be served. The Ewing Gallery is located at 1715 Volunteer Boulevard on the UT campus and is open free to the public Monday and Thursday, 10-8; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10-5; and Sunday, 1-4. For more information, please call 865-974-3200 or visit http://www.ewing-gallery.org.

Exhibit of before and after the Creation of the Park; explore artwork depicting Great Smoky Mountains National Park landscapes and life.

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

Please join us for our Volunteer Work Days on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Activities will include brush removal, weeding, and light gardening. Please provide own gloves. Tools will be available.

Dates: May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17

2743 Wimpole Avenue, Knoxville, TN. 865-540-8690, www.knoxgarden.com

Saturdays from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM and Wednesdays from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Local Produce, Live Plants, Baked Goods, Herbs, Free Range Meat, Artisan Crafts, & More.
(865)405-3135, www.knoxvillemarketsquare.com

A world-class collection of large-scale outdoor sculpture in downtown Knoxville.

More information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

Tours every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from March-December. Bleak House, an antebellum mansion of fifteen spacious rooms and wide halls, stands well back on an eminence among lovely trees and elaborately landscaped grounds. There is a charge for the tour.

3148 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. For more information: (865) 522-2371, www.knoxvillecmh.org