Calendar of Events

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

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.

A world-class exhibition of large-scale outdoor sculptures that enliven downtown Knoxville. Information: 865-637-4661, www.dogwoodarts.com.

The Knoxville Museum of Art presents BLOOM, an outdoor exhibition in the museum’s North Garden. BLOOM was designed and fabricated by Knoxville-based artists Jason S. Brown and Elizabeth Scofield. Created of synthetic nylon fabric and fiberglass, it consists of botanically inspired sculptures including 16-foot tall blades of nylon grass, large-scale synthetic flowers, and other plant-like shapes. The installation combines the order and geometry of a flower garden with the organic and shifting nature of a field exposed to the changing elements. KMA Curator Stephen Wicks explains, “Jason and Elizabeth produce beautiful, thoughtful work that draws attention to the push-and-pull between nature and the built environment. BLOOM gives the KMA a chance to showcase some of the artists’ best work on a large scale at a time of year when everyone is trying to find every excuse to get outside.” Jason S. Brown is associate professor of sculpture at the University of Tennessee’s School of Art. He and partner Elizabeth Scofield have been exploring public art projects and environmental issues as exhibiting artists for two decades.

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

At the O'Brien Art Gallery. For specific dates and updates to exhibits: 865-882-4649, wilkersonbs@roanestate.edu, or www.roanestate.edu/art/gallery.

The Art Market Gallery of Knoxville will spotlight the work of two member artists, Janis Proffitt, woodturning and Mary Ellen Bohm, paintings. The Gallery will host a First Friday Reception for the Featured Artists on Friday, April 2 from 5:30-9 p.m. with light refreshments and live music performed by Scott Head, playing acoustic guitar. Starting April 20 and running through May 8, the Gallery will hold its Annual Members Auction, a silent auction of over 40 pieces of original art and fine craft.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11AM-6PM; Sunday 1-5PM. For information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net

30,000 tulips of various shades of Pink have been planted this year to serve as the backdrop to a variety of special activities and exhibits. Historic Crescent Bend House & Gardens is one of the Southeast finest house museums and gardens. Built in 1834 by Drury Paine Armstrong, Crescent Bend was once a 900 acre working farm and so named for its prominent setting overlooking a majestic crescent bend in the Tennessee River just west of downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. The Armstong-Lockett House Museum at Crescent Bend contains an extensive fine antique collection from notable artisans like Michael Allison, Honore Launnier, Benjamin Frothingham, Samuel McIntire, and Sir Thomas Lawrence. One can view the outstanding American and English Silver collection with eminent smiths like Paul de Lamerie, Paul Storr, and seven women smiths that includes the works of Elizabeth Godfrey and Hester Bateman. Unlock the mystery behind the hidden trap door of this antebellum home. Hear the tale of how Jean Zuber wallpaper made its’ travels to Crescent Bend by the way of a United States President and a Pirate. The William P. Toms Memorial Garden at Crescent Bend is a three-acre formal Italian terraced garden of perennials, Japanese Maple, rose, and thousands of colorful blooming annuals are set to the backdrop of the dancing waters from five large fountains.

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.

Come see some of East Tennessee’s finest works of art that will be showcased at Crescent Bend House & Gardens during the Dogwood Arts Festival. Many of the prints are still available for purchase. For more information on The Dogwood Arts Festival and the Limited Edition Prints one can go to www.dogwoodarts.com or call 865-637-4561.
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.

Knoxville Watercolor Society members will present recent works at the Art Gallery of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. An opening reception with refreshments will take place on Friday, March 12, 6-8 PM at the church. There will be a short gallery talk about the works and the public will have a chance to meet and talk with the artists. The event is free and open to the public.
2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 9-5, Sunday, 9-12 noon. For more information, visit the Web site or call (865) 523-4176, (865) 966-4041.