Calendar of Events

August 2nd, marks author, James Baldwin's 86th Birthday. Knoxville-based artist, Gary Elgin is celebrating by donating his recent work: "James Baldwin, Always Welcome At The Table" to the Burlington Branch of the Knoxville Library system located at 4614 Asheville Highway. Elgin, who's work "Keegan Eating Biscuits" was recently featured as a finalist in the 1st Annual International Biscuit Festival art competion, is a new and fresh face on Knoxville's established art scene. The Burlington Branch Library will host Elgin's new exhibit "Familiar Faces: Old & New" in their media room/gallery. On Tuesday, August 10th at 12 noon, a special reception for the unique portrait exhibit will take place. The celebration will include readings from Baldwin's work, as well as a formal presentation of Elgin's Baldwin portrait to the Library. The Library hopes that this donation may be the start of a growing permanent collection by local artists. The "Familiar Faces" exhibit includes 12 works, from 1989 to the present, and includes a number of Knoxville's "familiar faces" as well as a few of celebrities, such as television's Queen of Comedy, Lucille Ball and comedian, Ed Wynn, but it will be Baldwin's portrait that will take center stage on Tuesday August 10th. The exhibit event is open to the public and free of charge. There will be refreshments as well as a birthday cake to help celebrate "Jimmy's" special day. For library/exhibit hours or information on this or other library events, please contact the Burlington Branch Library at (865) 525-5431. Gary Elgin can be contacted at (865) 803-9756.

Monday-Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Visit James White's Fort to experience what life was like in East Tennessee more than 200 years ago! James White’s Fort is the home of James White who settled in Knoxville with a 1,000-acre land grant from the state of North Carolina. Includes White’s first home, furnished with original tools and artifacts from the period. Penny Performance students may enjoy a self-guided tour of the Fort for free with paid Adult admission.
Advance reservations required? NO.
How to obtain admission: Admission is free. Groups of ten or more should call the Fort with advance notice.
Contact: Robert McGinnis, 865-525-6514, jameswhitefort@aol.com
205 East Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915 | www.jameswhitesfort.org

“Journey Stories of Tennessee” is an event made possible by the joint efforts of James-Ben: Studio & Gallery Art Center, the Nathanael Greene Museum, and Niswonger Performing Arts Center. “Journey Stories of Tennessee” is a multimedia performance and art exhibition featuring the works of Tennessee artists and artisans, poets, songwriters and musicians presented by James-Ben: Studio & Gallery Art Center at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Greeneville, Tennessee. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday, June 29th through August 7th from 9:30 until 5:00. The Exhibition is an adjunct event of the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit "Journey Stories" making its Tennessee premiere at the Nathanael Greene Museum. The concept of both exhibits is to celebrate the restless soul of America and its fiercely independent citizens, pioneers, and settlers. The traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian sets a wonderful stage for this idea while telling of the national journeys that have shaped our country. “Journey Stories of Tennessee” presents a sharper focus on Tennessee and its people, past and present. Our state is in itself a place of movement from east to west and is still referred to as “the first frontier”. Its unique shape and geography have made it a crossroads from our country’s beginning, a major player in its “second Revolution” during the Civil War, and a contemporary haven for modern-day immigrants seeking to uncover roots or plant them in the Volunteer State. Ultimately the most appropriate description of the exhibit is of a multi-media event because it brings together not only painting and sculpture but poetry and performance art as well. The artists participating encompass Tennessee’s traditional three grand divisions, West, Middle, and East. From Terri Asbury come two intricate corn shuck sculptures, including a haunting tableau of The Trail of Tears. The late Lynn Olka will be represented by her story portraits of Davy Crockett and Andrew Johnson. Paintings are also the chosen medium of Steven Cline, Marie Merritt, and Medha Karandikar, who also is presenting a book merging drawings by her son and her own paintings. Caroline Blanks titled one of her “Journey Stories” paintings “Marianne”, from a doll dressed for travel handed down from her great grandmother shown sitting in an antique chair from Caroline’s great, great grandmother. In addition to one of her pyrographs, Michelle Howe is showing her painting “The Pour”, depicting her father’s 40 years work with U.S. Steel handling molten metal. Uniquely captured moments in photographs will be offered by Amanda Asbury, the celebrated Sam Bass, and local legend Bob Hurley. From mother and son Mary and Martin Brownlow, paintings on loan from the Nathanael Greene Museum as well as Martin’s study of a family wedding held on the grounds of the Andrew Johnson Homestead. For further information on the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit “Journey Stories” and a full list of adjunct events by 21 Greene County civic organizations visit the website calendar at www.nathanaelgreenemuseum.com. Historic Morgan Square, 129 North Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743. Info: (423) 787-0195

7 weeks of camps, June 14 - July 2 and July 12 - August 6
Featuring week long camps in visual arts, crafts, music, dance, model trains, science, hobbies and more for ages preschool through Grade 7. All day or half day camps available for grades 1 through 7 half day for preschool. 9am - 4pm

461 West Outer Drive, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. (865) 482-1074; childrensmuseumofoakridge.org

7 weeks of camps, June 14 - July 2 and July 12 - August 6
Featuring week long camps in visual arts, crafts, music, dance, model trains, science, hobbies and more for ages preschool through Grade 7. All day or half day camps available for grades 1 through 7 half day for preschool. 9am - 4pm

461 West Outer Drive, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. (865) 482-1074; childrensmuseumofoakridge.org

Discover Life In America: All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory captivating illustrations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's ecosystems (plants, animals and micro-organisms) AMSE Lobby

American Museum of Science & Energy, 300 S. Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9AM-5PM; Sunday 1-5PM. For information: 865-576-3200, www.amse.org

Collecting shells has been a pastime of many, young and old, for centuries. It is only when collecting becomes a passion rather than a pastime that the finest examples are sought, and the subject is researched in detail. Such is the case with this collection, one of the country's finest, assembled by local physician Dr. Peter Stimpson. Focusing on six families of marine gastropods - cowries, cones, conchs, harps, volutes, and olives - the collection includes over 1,000 species listed in the "Registry of World Record Size Shells". Dr. Stimpson has made a portion of his collection available for public enjoyment in this exhibition.

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

20 award winning photomicrographs. Dynamic images at the intersection of science and art show the beauty and complexity of life as seen through a light microscope. AMSE Lobby

American Museum of Science & Energy, 300 S. Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9AM-5PM; Sunday 1-5PM. For information: 865-576-3200, www.amse.org

Department of Energy Facilities Public Bus Tour with guide commentary, Monday through Friday, except government holidays (July 5 & 6). Tour participants can register at AMSE beginning at 9 am. Must be U.S. citizen 10 years of age and up. Photo ID required. Seating limited. First come, first served. Off the bus stops include Y-12 New Hope Visitor Center; Spallation Neutron Source Lobby and Graphite Reactor, both at Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and K-25 Overlook. No advance reservations. Some restrictions apply.

American Museum of Science & Energy, 300 S. Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9AM-5PM; Sunday 1-5PM. For information: 865-576-3200, www.amse.org

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

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.