Calendar of Events

Jean Hess presents works “Surface Calm” at Clayton Center for the Arts Blackberry Gallery. “Surface Calm” uses surface as a surprise factor. Hess builds up 30-40 layers of resin, paint and phosphorescent dust. According to the artist, “ The depth of the layers hels refract light up from lower layers so there is a kind of glow that one could not achieve with a single layer.” Themes in the artists’ work include geometric patterns inspired by her gandfather’s fabric designs, a lifelong interest in botanical structure of flowers and plants, old family documents such as old school textbooks. To the artist, the issue of meaning involves the artists’ belief set, what the work of art is about and the viewer’s response. “Because of these three very different takes on works of art and their place in the social dialogue, it is very hard for me to claim that my own work has the same meaning to me as another. ….So the show title “Surface Calm” means one thing to me and perhaps many other things to viewers. “ says Hess.

The Blackberry Farm Gallery at Clayton Center for the Arts is one of two art galleries open to the public daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Clayton Center for the Arts: 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Info: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com

November 1-27 Art Market Gallery of Knoxville is
pleased to present an exhibit of recent works by Lil Clinard of Loudon and
Elaine Fronczek of Knoxville.

Award-winning watercolor and acrylic painter Lil Clinard strives to express
her response to the natural world through brush stroke, texture, color,
light and composition rather than the control of photographic detail.
Fiber artist Elaine Fronczek fashions clothing and home décor items from
unique fabrics that she creates through a process called wet felting, a
method that dates back over 8000 years that she often combines with the more
modern technique of needle felting.

A First Friday Reception for the exhibit is planned for November 4 from
5:30-9 pm with complimentary refreshments and live music.
Member owned and operated by over 60 regional artists, Art Market Gallery is
located at 422 South Gay Street in Knoxville next to the Downtown Grill &
Brewery. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am-6 pm & Sunday 1-5 pm.
For more information, call 865-525-5265, visit artmarketgallery.net or join
us on facebook: facebook.com/Art.Market.Gal

Conceived by Rebecca Feldman; Music and Lyrics by William Finn; Book by Rachel Sheinkin; at the Carousel Theatre. This Tony Award winning musical comedy that's a hit with critics and audiences alike! Six lovable nerds, in the throes of puberty, battle for a spelling championship that is a perfect evening of musical F-U-N. Who knows? YOU may find yourself Season Ticketson stage!

Clarence Brown Theatre 1714 Andy Holt Ave on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.com. For tickets: 865-974-5161, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee plays October 27 through November 13 in the Carousel Theatre. This delightful new musical is a real time event where ten finalists compete for the chance to go to the national spelling bee in Washington DC. Through the course of the bee we get up close and personal with all the contestants and learn of their dreams and challenges. As participants gradually are eliminated we see the trials and tribulations of adolescence in high comic relief.

The Tony award winning musical was based upon C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, an original improvisational play created by Rebecca Feldman and performed by The Farm, a New York-based improvisational comedy troupe. It opened on Broadway in 2005 and ran until January 2008. The musical is now produced in theatres across the country to rave reviews!

OCTOBER 27 - NOVEMBER 13 Carousel Theatre.

In observance of the Civil War’s 150th anniversary, Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is hosting an exhibition from the Tennessee State Museum, Common People in Uncommon Times: The Civil War in Tennessee. The exhibition focuses on how the war affected the lives of Tennesseans through personal stories of participants whose sagas illustrate a land divided.

The narrative of personal struggle and endurance during the Civil War is presented on 10 graphic panels taken from the State Museum’s collection of photographs and artifacts from the era, as well as from other collections across the state. Each panel portrays a different theme: Confederate leaders, Union leaders, African-Americans, civilian home front, common soldiers, war on the water, reconstruction and commemoration.

Admission to the special exhibition is included in the museum admission price, and free for Heritage Center members. For current hours and admission rates, visit www.gsmheritagecenter.org

"Windows to Heaven: Treasures from the Museum of Russian Icons, Clifton, MA" brings together historically significant works from the collection, dating from 1590 AD to present day. This spectacular exhibition helps demonstrate how religious structures and organizations are created by civilizations to reflect their own spiritual, social and political needs.

Frank H. McClung Museum, 1327 Circle Park on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN
Information: 865-974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

Now in its fifth year, this world-class exhibition of 25 large-scale sculptures can be viewd in downtown Knoxville and the McGhee Tyson Airport. The 2011 exhibition juror will be John Henry and will feature up to 35 large-scale, outdoor sculptures. The selected sculptures will be exhibited in downtown Knoxville. For more information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

History/Sightseeing, relaxing and enjoyable river cruises. Learn about area Civil War history, see beautiful homes and gardens with narration by the spirit of Sam Clemmons. Learn about early river steamboats that visited Knoxville. 90 minute trips Friday through Sunday at 3:00 and 5:15 plus Friday evening at 7:30. $16 Adult and $14 for children 5-11 with advanced paid reservations to 765-3407.