Calendar of Events

Based on the novel by J. R. R. Tolkein. Performances: February 12 through 27, 2010. Located at 800 Tyson Street, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-599-5284, www.childrenstheatreknoxville.com, info@childrenstheatreknoxville.com.

It’s a rusty old machine gun, with tattered strap and battle-scarred wooden stock—not even very large by today’s standards. By itself, it’s not that impressive. But mention the name Sgt. Alvin C. York, and this war relic takes on special meaning. It represents “the flag on the hill,” a brave deed by a backwoods soldier who remained cool under fire, silencing machine gun nests that were raining a firestorm of bullets on Allied troops. York was the leader of seven men who captured 132 German machine gunners on October 8, 1918, in the Battle of the Argonne Forest in northern France. For this heroic deed, York received the National Medal of Honor and became the most decorated soldier of World War I. This M1908/15 Maxim light machine gun is documented as one of the German weapons confiscated on that day. This historic artifact will become the centerpiece of an already extensive exhibit at the Museum, revealing the man behind the medals—a simple and honest East Tennessee backwoodsman who used his fame to help others. A special exhibit at the Museum will include items on loan from the York family.

Museum of Appalachia, 2819 Andersonville Hwy., Clinton, TN 37716. Hours: February: 10 AM to 4 PM weekdays, 10 AM to 5 PM weekends; March: 10 AM to 5 PM weekdays, 10 AM to 6 PM weekends.Information: 865-494-7680, www.museumofappalachia.org

Paintings, watercolors, prints and drawings by Bruce D. Busey will be on exhibit at Regas Restaurant during the month of February. The exhibit is a part of Knoxville's First Friday ArtWalk. Also on exhibit will be acrylic paintings by Asheville artist, Sharon Trammel, Professor of Fine Art at Asheville Buncombe Community College. Works inspired by performers, personalities and events of Asheville, North Carolina. Website: www.sharontrammel.com. For more information contact: B. D. Busey, 865-379-8263 or 865-548-4253.

Regas Restaurant, 318 N. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37917. For information: 865-522-6055, www.thechophouse.com

Opening night, February 5

1714 Andy Holt Avenue on the UT Campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.org

The Art Market Gallery of Knoxville will spotlight two member artists: Pat Herzog, pottery and Brenda Mills, paintings. The Gallery will host a First Friday Reception for the Featured Artists on Friday, February 5, from 5:30-9:00 PM with Gil Draper playing Irish music.

The Art Market Gallery is located at 422 S. Gay St. in downtown Knoxville. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM and Sunday, 1:00-5:00 PM.
For more information, call 865-525-5265 or visit www.artmarketgallery.net

The Town of Farragut Arts Council announces Hugh Bailey as featured artist for February and March. The exhibit features a variety of woodcut prints that are both whimsical and charming. Hugh Bailey is a native of Virginia. He earned his BA in art from Berea College and a MFA from Indiana University. Mr. Bailey was employed with the University of Tennessee for 41 years as a graphic designer. He is currently a member of the Southern Highland Handcraft Guild, Foothills Craft Guild and the Knoxville Watercolor Society. Each month the work of an artist or group of artists is featured in specially designed cases on the second floor of the rotunda in the Farragut Town Hall. For more information about this exhibit or to access a Featured Artist of the Month application, please contact Anne LaGrow at anne.lagrow@townoffarragut.org or 966-7057 or visit www.townoffarragut.org/artscouncil. The Farragut Town Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 11408 Municipal Center Drive directly across from the Farragut Branch Post Office.

The public is invited to a reception which will take place on Sunday, January 31, from 2 PM to 4 PM with light refreshments. Established in 1963, The Knoxville Watercolor Society has over 50 members, most of whom who will exhibit one of their finest paintings at this show. Most of the work will be for sale. Additional info: 865-482-5181.

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM; Friday, 10AM-8PM; Sunday, 1-5PM. For information: 865-934-2036, www.knoxart.org

China is viewed by most in the Western world as a homogeneous country with a single culture. Its land mass is similar to that of the United States, but it is inhabited by 1.3 billion people, making it the most populous country in the world. This population is composed of more than 56 official ethnic groups, each with its own customs, traditions, language, foods, and in some cases, religious beliefs.

In the many centuries of China’s history, numerous ethnic groups have ruled, and each has made contributions to the art and culture of what we have come to view today as “Chinese.” In this exhibition, the museum presents a brief glimpse into China’s history, with 80 examples of art from the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.) to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911 A.D.) and several contemporary works. Panels introducing each of the dynasties provide historical, geographical, and economic background.

1327 Circle Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: Mon - Sat: 9:00A to 5:00P, Sun: 1:00P to 5:00P. Information: 865-974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

Visual artist Anne Wilson has been at the forefront of artwork connecting conceptualism and handiwork, activism and aesthetics, investigating new possibilities for what has been called "relational aesthetics." Discussion with the artist on January 23.

Wilson's practice extends the relational in terms of labor, collaboration, and identity construction, blending pedagogy with aesthetic production. Her work has been exhibited extensively including exhibitions at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London; the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan; the Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston; the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; and as part of the 2002 Biennial at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Anne Wilson: Wind/Rewind/Weave is an exhibition organized by the Knoxville Museum of Art, installed by Wilson to investigate the crisis of production and skill based textile labor. Included is Rewinds, a new work created entirely in glass; video documentation of Wind-Up: Walking the Warp, a 2008 performance in Chicago; and a large site-specific project, Local Industry, that takes the form of an active weaving/winding factory set up in the museum space. Run over the course of several months, this project will involve the Knoxville community in the collaborative production of a unique bolt of cloth. http://www.annewilsonartist.com

Free admission. Hours: Tues-Thurs 10-5; Fri 10-8; Sat 10-5; Sun 1-5. 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37916. 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org, info@knoxart.org

Sundays at 8:00 PM. 17th-18th Century Dancing with live music. A performance group, newcomers are welcome. Rapper sword and morris dance teams. Free. At the Laurel Theatre in Knoxville, 16th Street and Laurel Avenue. Information: 546-8442, www.jubileearts.org

OPENING RECEPTION on Wednesday, January 13th, 7-9PM
The presence of acclaimed artists — who have lived and worked in major cultural centers across the country and internationally — enhances the educational opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the University of Tennessee School of Art. With daily contact over the course of a full semester, resident artists develop a unique relationship withthe student body which complements the creative stimulation offered by guest lecturers and the School of Art’s faculty. Representing diverse ethnic, cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds, these resident artists introduce another layer of candor and a fresh artistic standard for the students who, though early in their formal art studies, are beginning to develop their own perceptions, skills, and theories in connection with the making of art. Although the resident artists present a slide lecture during their stay, it is the direct access to their works of art that is highly anticipated and valued by both the students and the faculty. Therefore, the Ewing Gallery has sponsored group exhibitions of these artists since the inception of the Artist In Residence Program in 1982. Currently held every two years, this exhibition provides a continuing dialogue between artist-teacher and student. The Artist In Residence Biennial also offers our general university and regional community an opportunity to experience a provocative and often challenging exhibition of contemporary art. This year, the Ewing Gallery is pleased to host the work of its past four esteemed resident artists: Melissa Gordon (resident, Spring 2010), Tom McGrath (resident, Fall 2009), Giles Lyon (resident, Spring 2009), and Jackie Gendel (resident, Fall 2008).

GALLERY HOURS: Mon & Thurs: 10AM - 8PM, Tues-Wed-Fri: 10AM-5PM, Sun: 1PM-4PM. 1715 Volunteer Boulevard | Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.utk.edu

Includes artists Eric Arensbak (wood), Ian Arensback (wood), Bob Bolinger (photography), Tammy Bullman (ceramics), John Fancher (mixed media), Peggy Haupt (mixed media), Mary Louise Hunt (drawing), Susie Nugent (mixed media), Doreen Prakshot (fiber), and Nelson Ziegler (painting). Opening reception Friday, January 8, 6:00-8:00 PM. 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Info: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org