Calendar of Events

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

KAFCC is pleased to announce a First Friday Opening Reception with artist Candy Finley-Brooks. We invite you to join us Friday, May 7 from 5:30-7:30 to meet multi-talented artist Candy Finley-Brooks and view her new solo exhibit of paintings, drawings and ceramic sculpture.

Knoxville Arts and Fine Crafts Center, 1127 Broadway Suite B, Knoxville, TN 37917. For information: 865-523-1401, www.cityofknoxville.org/recreation/arts

The Bijou Theatre hosts a First Friday reception to kick off a two-month exhibit featuring the works of East Tennessee artist Karol Smith. The reception will be held Friday, May 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the upstairs gallery of the U.S. Cellular Stage at he Bijou Theatre. The general public is invited to participate in this reception and First Friday event. The show will be on display throughout the months of May and June for Bijou patrons and visitors to enjoy when the theater is open for performances. Visit www.KnoxBijou.com for a schedule of upcoming events at the Bijou. The content is oil and watercolor paintings, collages and prints. View more of her works for sale at http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbykarolsmith.

Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information: 865-522-0832, www.knoxbijou.com.

An exhibition of Knox County Art Educators, showcasing their talent as professional artists. Each year, this exhibition has impacted students and increased awareness of the importance of art education in Knox County. At the UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Wednesday-Friday: 11AM - 6PM; Saturday: 10AM - 3PM. For information: 865-637-4661, www.dogwoodarts.com.

129 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. 865-549-5769, http://unarmedmerchants.com

An opening reception will take place on Friday, May 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM.
On display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM with additional hours on Saturday, May 8, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. For information: 865-523-7543, www.knoxalliance.com.

I have an exhibit up at Remedy Coffee [125 W. Jackson in the Old City] from this Thursday evening May 6th through the end of May! Stop by anytime the coffeeshop is open and/or join me on First Friday, May 7, between about 6pm and 10pm to see the art work, visit, and buy some great coffee and dessert!* And invite others....there's much to see and do Downtown on a First Friday! All nine pieces of art are for sale; ask me if you are interested in commissioning similar pieces in different colors.
www.hcholder.jimdo.com, 865-567-8920

Art Market Gallery will spotlight the work of two member artists: metal sculpture by Zophia Kneiss, and monoprint/chine colle works by Marilyn Avery Turner. The Gallery will host a First Friday Reception for the Featured Artists on Friday, May 7 from 5:30-9:00 PM. with light refreshments.

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

An exhibition of art, films, music & community. During the month of May, 530 Gay Street (beside the French Market on the corner of Clinch and Gay) will be home to several community and cultural events, including: “a struggle”, an exhibition of images and audio from Pardo Calrissian, and the screening of Vagabond Beaumont’s film “Machetero” (Exhibit reception and film screening, Monday May 17th, 5pm – 10pm).

Pardo is a Tennessee documentarian that has spent a decade covering what he calls, “under-reported news and events”. His current exhibition, “a struggle” combines photographs of various popular movements around Mexico, the Caribbean and East Tennessee with related audio interviews.

Contact: Pardo, 423-277-7162, pardo.calrissian@gmail.com. At 530 S. Gay Street (next to French Market), Knoxville, TN 37902.

Featuring a broad selection of works - paintings, photographs, drawings, and video - by artists whose chief inspiration stems from the surrounding landscape, whether rural or urban, perceived or imagined. The exhibition examines the many ways artists reference the external environment in constructing scenes marked by instability, ambiguity, deception, or fragmentation. Includes works by Jim Campbell, Patty Chang, Herb Creecy, Robert Van Deventer, Tomory Dodge, Chuck Forsman, Natasha Kissell, Alison Moritsugu, Brian Novatny, Hiraki Sawa, Darren Waterston, Roger Weik, and Charlotta Westergren.

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

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.

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