Calendar of Events

Did you know that you can photograph heat and cold energy just as readily as you can light and dark? Photographing temperature is called infrared photography, and if you want to see what it looks like, your chance is coming up very soon. In a cooperative venture between JamesBen: Studio and Gallery Art Center and the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, the next in a series of lobby and mezzanine exhibits will feature the “amazing, monumental infrared photographs of J.G. Crowe. This one woman show, entitled “A Different Light”, opens at Niswonger Performing Arts Center on Tusculum Blvd., adjacent to Greeneville High School. A “Meet the Artist” reception at the site of the exhibition is scheduled for Sunday, May 2nd from 1 to 3 PM and the public is cordially invited to attend. “A Different Light” will be open for viewing in the lobby and mezzanine of NPAC between the hours of 9:30 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday and during the evening of NPAC performances.

The images in “A Different Light” present Northeast Tennessee scenes, including the Jefferson City area near J.G.’s home and the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery in Greeneville. During the “Meet the Artist” reception she will be available to remarque postcards of her work suitable for framing. 129 North Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743. (423) 787-0195, www.james-ben.com

213 Hotel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37918. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityart.com

Cherokee Language Classes will be offered again at the Museum. This is our 9th language class. We will be having a beginner and and advanced beginner class. The cost of the class will be $40.00 for four consecutive Mondays starting April 19th, 26th, May 3rd and May 10th. Shirley Oswalt and Mary Brown from Robbinsville, NC will be teaching the classes. There will be a $5.00 discount for those who have taken a class before. Call the museum to sign up or for more information. 423-884-6246.

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, 576 HWY 360, Vonore, TN 37885. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-5PM; Sunday, 12-5PM. For information: 423-884-6246, www.sequoyahmuseum.org

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, a sponsor of the 60th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, is showcasing the watercolors, acrylics and drawings of Bob George, winner of the 2009 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Art Contest. Bob George relocated to Sevierville, Tennessee in 2002 after a career in Washington, D.C. as an illustrator, commercial artist and art director. Bob, a native of Key West, Florida, studied at the Ringling School of Art. His artwork has been featured at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, the White House, Pentagon and U.S. Park Service Visitor Centers. Bob’s winning entry, “Bloodroot” was selected as part of a national juried competition and has been used as the Pilgrimage’s promotional image for 2010. Criteria for submission is that the artist’s primary subject included botanically accurate depictions of a spring flowering plant (or plants) native to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. “Bob’s skills as an illustrator and a painter are exquisite. It is evident that he has a strong relationship with and has mastered his media. His work brings the beauty and composition of nature to life on paper – the rendering of a simple stone becomes a captivating visual. We are proud to showcase Bob’s range of artworks and encourage you to come and enjoy this wonderful exhibit,” says Karen Green, Gallery Coordinator.

In the Loggia Gallery. Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. For information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

Opening night, April 16. Written by Dale Wasserman; Music by Mitch Leigh; Lyrics by Joe Darion. to dream the impossible dream. . . Journey with Cervantes’ knight errant as he rides in a hopeful quest for love and valor amid trying times.

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

Daniel Maw, Erin Mullenex

Ewing Gallery, 1715 Volunteer Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: Monday & Thursday: 10AM-8PM; Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 10AM-5PM; and Sunday: 1-4PM. For information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.utk.edu

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

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.

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

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