Calendar of Events

Various prints, functional and sculptural ceramic work for sale in all price ranges. Work created by UT undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and alumni. Proceeds support visiting artists and scholarships. Cash and checks accepted.

At UT's Art and Architecture Building Atrium, 1715 Volunteer Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37996. Info: 804-334-9746.

“I am not content to think of furniture making as a static form of expression, neither as the creation of imagistic objects. In creating work that people can relate to in time and space, I introduce new forms of interactivity into standard furniture types. These new layers have varied from the playful to the somewhat sinister, by means as simple as the addition of playground balls to the more sophisticated integration of electronic circuits. I believe that working in this expanded field of studio-furniture - one that I have carved out for myself - offers something new to the field as a whole. My approach is one of many possible ways to make studio furniture more viable in the world of contemporary art.”

Matt Hebert received a BA in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and his MFA from California College of the Arts. His architectural background manifests itself in his current work, in which Hebert creates furniture and objects that activate and are influenced by the space and people around them - ideas inherent to architecture. Individual pieces focus on technology and its effects on the domestic and natural environment, generally adding layers of use and meaning to recognizable furniture forms to generate new modes of interaction between objects, the environment, and the user. Hebert has held teaching positions at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is currently Assistant Professor of Furniture at San Diego State University, and his award winning work has been shown and collected internationally. To preview more of Matt's work, visit his website.

APRIL 14, PUBLIC LECTURE, location: rm. 105, A+A Bldg., time: 7PM

APRIL 15, CRITIQUES WITH ART/DESIGN/ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS, location and time by appointment from 10AM-5PM; visit the art office to sign-up for a time slot.

CLASS CRITIQUE WITH RYANN AOUKAR, location: rm. 103, A+A Bldg., time: 5:45PM
DINNER WITH THE ARTIST, location: Café 4 on Market Square, time: 7:30PM

If you are interested in attending dinner, please RSVP to Benjamin Wooten in the Ewing Gallery before noon on Thursday the 15th, so he can make a reservation for the appropriate number of people. Contact Benjamin at 974.3200, or bwooten2@utk.edu.

The singer, songwriter and record producer Allen Toussaint is one of the most influential figures in New Orleans R&B. His career has spanned over 40 years, all adding up to include being inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame." The most recent of Toussaint’s long list of honors and accolades is the Grammy nominated pop/vocal album of the year, The River in Reverse; Toussaint’s collaboration with Elvis Costello. Make plans to join us on Wednesday, April 14 for what is sure to be an amazing evening with a legendary performer. Tickets online or via 865-656-4444.

803 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com

Reception April 9, 6:30-8:30 PM
213 Hotel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37918. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityart.com

The Fountain City Art Guild will be having its annual Spring Show at the Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Avenue in the heart of Fountain City. The Center is located in the old library building next to Fountain City Park just off of Broadway and is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 to 1 p.m. The show will run from April 9 until May 7 with reception and awards on Friday, April 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and light drinks will be served and musical entertainment will be provided by guitarist David Williams. Awards, including Best of Show, First, Second and Third places along with three Honorable Mentions, will be presented at 7:00 p.m. Also appearing in conjunction with the guild Show is artwork by students from Central High, Gresham Middle and Fountain City, Sterchi, Shannondale and Inskip Elementary schools. The public is encouraged to attend this free event.

The Fountain City Art Guild is celebrating its 26th year and currently has over 40 members, most of whom will be represented in this show. It is held in conjunction with the Dogwood Arts Festival “Studio Tours” and will be open on April 25 and 26 for viewing and demonstrations by many of our artists. The Fountain City Art Guild web site is www.fountaincityartguild.com and the web site for the Fountain City Art Center is www.fountaincityart.net

Featuring Parisian paintings
Opening Reception with the artist, Friday April 9 from 6-9:00pm
The French Market, 530 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For more information call 865-540-4372; www.thefrenchmarketknoxville.com. Open Mon-Wed 9am-4pm; Thu-Sat 9am-9pm.

Explore over 60 miles of trails, open gardens, camera sites and historic homes as you walk, bike ride, drive, or bus tour. Fountain City is the featured trail. Information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

April 6, 8, 13 & 14
Come and enjoy the elegant pleasure of partaking in a formal High Tea and take the tour of the house museum and gardens were 30,000 tulips will be in bloom. Special entertainment will also be provided during tea time. Cost is $22 per person and includes the price of admission to tour the house museum and gardens. Guest may choose to tour the house and gardens before of after the tea. For groups of 30 or more guest’s additional dates and tea times can be arranged at any time of the year.

Crescent Bend House & Gardens, 2728 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: Tues-Fri 10-4; Sat 10-2; Sun 1-4 (closed Easter Sunday). Admission: $7 adults, $5 students, FREE children 12 and under. For information: 865.637.3163, Brett@CrescentBend.net.

Direct from a highly-acclaimed run on Broadway, the Tony-nominated Soul of Shaolin will premier at the Eastern Shanghai Theater in April. A Chinese martial arts spectacular, Soul of Shaolin features over 30 Chinese performers skilled in the art of Shaolin Kung Fu and tells the touching story of Hui Guang (pronounced “whey gwong”), an orphan boy who is discovered by the legendary monks of the Shaolin Temple and is raised among them. The show debuted at New York's Marquis Theatre in January 2009 as part of the China on Broadway series of productions. It received rave reviews from many American critics, with the New York Post describing the show as "a dazzling display of skill", while the Associated Press called it "astonishing and amazing".

In addition to a spectacular show, the Eastern Shanghai Theater will feature state-of-the-art sound and lighting and a spectacular 198-square foot LED backdrop. According to the show's executive producer, Lizhi Zhao: “The story of Shaolin is timeless and appeals to all audiences, young and old.” People coming to the Smoky Mountains this year may not want to miss limited engagement of Soul of Shaolin.
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. each night with matinee shows Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. For ticket prices and bookings call 865-453-8888 or visit www.EasternShanghaiTheater.com.

Unarmed Merchants Art Gallery will be featuring encaustic paintings from local artist Neranza Noel Blount. This show will be up for the month of April starting Friday the 2nd. She is interested in patterns in nature including land and atmospheric weather patterns and how they relate to each other. She also collages with found objects and uses her pen & ink renderings and photography images that have been cut, torn, and then fused onto wooden surfaces and painted over with encaustic wax. She started painting in oils at an early age and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Tennessee. She has received top awards for her works of art nationally and internationally. Her use of the medium of encaustic came out of her father’s profession as a beekeeper. Her husband has also since become a beekeeper. With her art she wants to help build awareness of the importance of honeybees and how the existence of man depends upon them.

Unarmed Merchants, 129 S. Gay Street, Knoxville TN 37902. (865) 549-5769; http://unarmedmerchants.com

The Dogwood Arts Festival Limited Edition Print is synonymous with the annual springtime event and this exhibit showcases the artistry, variety, and beauty that this East Tennessee tradition has recorded. Signing by Dogwood Arts 50th Anniversary Commemorative Print Artist Heather Whiteside on Friday, April 2, 5-8 p.m.
Museum of East Tennessee History, 601 S. Gay Street. Opening Reception: Friday, April 2, 5-9 p.m. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m. Admission: Free. 865.215.8830, www.eastTNhistory.org

Allows progressive, emerging and professional regional artists to exhibit their work in a variety of genres. The exhibit will show in the historic gallery space at 128 S. Gay Street. Opening Reception: Friday, April 2, 5-9 p.m. Hours: Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. the 11th 12-5 p.m. Information: 865-637-4661, www.dogwoodarts.com.