Calendar of Events

Based in Knoxville, A1LabArts is a nonprofit dedicated to multi-disciplinary and experimental exploration of contemporary art issues in all media. Opening reception September 11, 6:00-8:00 PM. 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Information: 865-335-2670, www.a1labarts.org

UT Photojournalism professor Robert Heller always has his camera with him when he travels. Heller's photographic exhibit, "City Light," examines the confluence of architecture, people and light, as found in cities such as San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Warsaw and elsewhere. Open to the public M-F 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. 625 Market Street, Suite 1400, downtown Knoxville. 865-524-1223 or www.easttennesseefoundation.org

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

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

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

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

The last Wednesday of every month, this live radio show features music from the Appalachian foothills to the Mississippi delta and beyond, by nationally recognized artists as well as up-and-coming artists who reflect our region's varied artistic culture. Hosted by Jim Lauderdale, featuring a house band led by Dave Nichols, and broadcast live on WDVX and WDVX.com. Tickets are $10 advance, $15 night of the show, available at the Tennessee Theatre box office, the online gift shop at TennesseeTheatre.com and at the WDVX Blue Plate Special concerts weekdays at noon at the Knoxville Visitors Center.

803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For more information, please visit the Web site or call (865) 522-0832.

Scottish Country Dancing is a sociable dance form with roots stretching back for centuries. There are approximately 13,000 dances in existence. Dancers are grouped into sets, typically of 3, 4, or 5 pairs arranged either in two lines (men facing ladies) or in a square, and work together to dance a sequence of formations. While dances are danced with a partner, you do not need to arrive with a partner; it's social dancing. New dancers are always welcome. Please feel free to drop by any meeting to join in the dancing or observe and learn more.

2009 Meeting Dates are January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1, and December 6. At Erin Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall. More information: (423) 747-6474, knox_scd @ hotmail.com

These sessions are an informal meeting of artists, drawing and painting live models, under the tutelage of internationally known college level instructor Gifford Nicholaides.
- Life drawing practice sessions are held on Saturday mornings starting at 9:00 AM and running for two hours. Cost is $10, pay as you go.

The building is the former office of the Candoro Marble Company, located at 681 Maryville Pike, Knoxville, and resembles a small town post office. It is now owned by the South Knoxville Art and Heritage Center, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Community Room was used for drafting, therefore features a terrific bank of north facing windows. Constructed in 1922, and designed in the Beaux Arts style, the building features examples of carved ornamentation, columns, travertine interiors and polished marble.

More information: 865-573-0709