Calendar of Events

Athens Area Council for the Arts announces its upcoming exhibit “CLASSWORK: ADULT STUDENTS OF THE ARTS CENTER 2011-12”. Exhibit dates are June 8 – August 24, 2012. AACA has been offering classes in the visual and performing arts at The Arts Center for children and adults since opening in 2005. This exhibit is intended to showcase works by adult students who have taken classes in the past year. A variety of media has been taught by an impressive array of instructors, including this year’s instructors Sandy Brown (watercolors), Joy Merckson (acrylics and drawing), Billie Stevens (stained glass), and Andy Phipps (clay). Many of the students were beginners who had never had a course in their chosen medium, while others have taken many classes at The Arts Center and other venues. A sampling of their works that were either done in class or while taking a class will be on display to show the impact The Arts Center has had on their art. Landscapes, abstracts, portraits, and other subject matter will reveal the extent of their training, as some of the students had never picked up a paint brush before beginning classes here, while others enrolled to improve their skills and explore new directions.

The Arts Center invites you to view this exhibit and be as amazed and as proud as we are by the abundance of talent present in our community. The public, artists, family and friends are also invited to attend the opening reception on Tuesday, June 12, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. The Arts Center instructors and many of the students will be on hand to talk about their experience and their art.

The Arts Center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information or directions, call (423) 745-8781 or visit our website at www.athensartscouncil.org. All programs of AACA are funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Reception: June 8, 6:30-8:00 PM

Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9AM-5PM; Wednesday & Friday, 10AM-5PM; Saturday, 9AM-1PM. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartctr.com

Tennessee Valley Players performs the Gershwins’ musical political satire “OF THEE I SING” at the UT Carousel Theatre. Performances will be JUNE 08 - 10 and JUNE 15 - 17 Please call (865) 584-8173 for further information.

Tennessee Valley Players proudly presents "Of Thee I Sing" by George and Ira Gershwin at the Carousel Theater, University of Tennessee, 1714 Andy Holt Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916 on:
Friday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 10 at 3:00 p.m.
Friday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m
Saturday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 17 at 3:00 p.m.

"Of Thee I Sing" is a delightful comedy with beautiful tunes which is satire of a Presidential Election written in 1932 (and some things never change). The musical features such songs as: “Who Cares?”, “Love Is Sweeping The Country”, and “Of Thee I Sing, Baby” with a cast of 35 multi-talented singers and actors. The show is presented “in the Round” at Carousel Theatre next to Clarence Brown Theatre on the UT Campus.

Tickets are $15 ($10 for children 12 and under) and are available 30 minutes prior to each show. Cash or checks accepted. Festival seating.

MORE INFORMATION: www.tennesseevalleyplayers.org or call (865) 584-8173

On June 8-9, women's basketball fans from around the world will gather in Knoxville, Tenn., for the premier celebration of women's basketball achievements as the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame holds its 2012 Induction Weekend, presented by Eastman and sponsored by WATE 6. The weekend, which marks the 14th annual Hall of Fame Induction and features some of the most recognizable names in women's basketball, concludes with Saturday night's formal induction ceremony at the Bijou Theatre. The six members of the Class of 2012 are Nancy Fahey, Nikki McCray, Pamela McGee, Inge Nissen, Robin Roberts, and Dawn Staley.

Saturday's events will kick off bright and early as those gathered in Knoxville for Induction weekend join Knoxville residents to participate in the Fourth Annual 4Kay® Run/Walk at 8 a.m. The 4Kay® Run/Walk is held in honor of the late Women's Basketball Hall of Famer and North Carolina State coach Kay Yow, who lost her battle with breast cancer in January of 2009. Proceeds from the race will benefit women's cancer research through the Kay Yow Cancer Fund®.

The Induction Ceremony will begin at the Bijou Theatre at 7 p.m. and guests will be invited to attend a Post-Induction Celebration and Silent Auction at the WBHOF at 9 p.m. All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

During the 2012 Induction, the WBHOF will observe the following special hours for the general public: Friday, June 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Saturday, June 9, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. (free to the public) ; Sunday, June 10, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

WBHOF Induction 2012 tickets and 4Kay® registration information are available by calling (865) 633-9000 or by visiting www.wbhof.com.

You are invited to a birthday celebration for the state of Tennessee on Friday, June 8, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Blount Mansion and Craighead Jackson House and Gardens at 200 West Hill Ave in Knoxville.

Join us and be a part of the future of Blount Mansion and Craighead Jackson Historic site. Share your ideas about these important landmarks and their significance in the community.

Cocktail Supper $100 per person.
RSVP 865 525 2375 or director@bountmansion.org.

The Knoxville Museum of Art presents Beverly Semmes: Starcraft June 8-September 9, 2012.

Semmes, a Brooklyn-based artist, is known internationally for her unique multi-media installations. She challenges the conventional definitions of craft and “women’s work” by creating completely non-functional pieces out of traditional materials such as fabric, clay and glass.

The KMA hosts a preview party Thursday, June 7, from 5:30-7:30pm. The party is free and open to the public and includes a cash bar. Semmes will host a gallery talk earlier that day at 4pm, and will attend the preview party as well.

The Knoxville Museum of Art is located in downtown Knoxville at 1050 World’s Fair Park and is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday 10 am–5 pm, and Sunday 1 pm-5 pm. Admission and parking are free. For more information, contact Angela Thomas at 865.934.2034 or visit www.knoxart.org.

Nikon Small World recognizes excellence in photomicrography, honoring images that successfully showcase the delicate balance between difficult scientific technique and exquisite artistic quality. Among this year's top five images, including the green lacewing larva, are a blade of grass, Melosira Moniliformis/living specimen; intrinsic flourescence in liverwort and a microchip surface/3D construction.

Additional information on this exhibition can be found at www.nikonsmallworld.com or follow the conversation on Facebook and Twitter@nikonsmallworld

The exhibit will run from June 1 through August 5, 2012.

The American Museum of Science and Energy, located at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge, is open Monday - Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm and Sunday 1 - 5 pm. Admission is Adults $5, Seniors (65+) $4, Students (6 - 17) $3 and Children (5 and under) no charge. For more information on AMSE memberships, exhibits, programs and events, visit www.amse.org To schedule a group visit, call AMSE at
(865) 576-3218.

The Frank H. McClung Museum will offer a new exhibit, "The Owl and the Woodpecker", which will introduce museum visitors to the most important species of owls and woodpeckers in North America, using spectacular photos, informative text, and evocative audio recordings to illustrate how these birds define and enrich the specific habitats on which they depend, and to highlight the critical importance of conserving those habitats.

"The Owl and the Woodpecker" is based on a book of the same title by Seattle photographer and author Paul Bannick, who is knkown for his intimate wildlife photography which supports environmental conservation efforts.

Frank H. McClung Museum, 1327 Circle Park Dr on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-5PM; Sunday, 1-5PM. Information: 865-974-2144, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

Knoxville Zoo offers one of only three chances to experience the zoo’s Close Encounters of the Wild Kind program this summer. Close Encounters of the Wild Kind gives visitors the chance to take an intimate behind-the-scenes tour and meet some high profile residents at Knoxville Zoo. Visitors can go off the beaten path to meet giraffes, penguins, or giant Aldabra tortoises during these special encounters. They also have the opportunity to touch or feed their new animal friend, talk with their keepers to learn about them and take a souvenir photo of their personal introduction. This Saturday, June 23rd, as well as Saturday, July 28th, and Saturday, September 1st, three different animal encounters will be offered; Giraffe Gatherings, where visitors can offer Jumbe, Lucille and Patches a leafy treat at 11:00 a.m., the Penguin Party which includes
a special appearance by Gypsy or Jello penguin at 1:00 p.m. and Tortoise Time, an encounter with loveable giant Aldabra tortoises Al, Stand-Up and Patches at 2:30 p.m.
Reservations are required for Close Encounters of the Wild Kind and can be scheduled by calling the zoo’s ticket office at (865) 637-5331, extension 361 or at the zoo’s ticket window upon arrival to the zoo. Each Close Encounter session is $20 per person, or $50 per person for all three encounters and reservations for each session are limited. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. General admission to Knoxville Zoo is not included in the price of each Close Encounter ticket.

Bliss Home will feature Stacey Fletcher for June's First Friday. A reception will be held at Bliss Home, 29 Market Square, from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday June 1st.

Stacey Fletcher hails from Georgia where earned her B.F.A. from Valdosta University. Stacey then moved to Knoxville, where she currently resides, to earn her M.F.A. Stacey is a cathartic painter, and her paintings illustrate her emotions and frustrations. Her current paintings are more energetic and playful, because her new source of inspiration, her baby Kable Grey, causes her to paint with more color and vibrancy. Stacey has shown her work nationally and internationally.

Stacey's new colorful exhibit is viewable beginning June 1st and will remain through the end of the month.

For more information, please contact Scott at info@shopinbliss.com

“Out of the Frame, Off the Wall”
Gallery 1010, 113 South Gay Street, Knoxville, Tennessee
Opening Friday June 1st 6-9pm

“Out of the Frame, Off the Wall” will exhibit artists whose work utilizes non-traditional forms of display that do not easily exist within the frame, or are of a sculptural nature, to create oversized or three-dimensional works of art. Each artist translated the use of paper in a unique way, and the exhibition will include: paper-casting, book-works, layered paper with cut-outs, 3D computer modeling, a wooden wheel that prints, preserved specimens, sewn paper, 3D optical images, matchboxes, and box designs.

“Out of the Frame, Off the Wall” integrates the print and paper work of University of Tennessee artists with international artists from Wales, Canada, and Mexico, as well as artists throughout the United States including New York, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Minnesota, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Curated by UTK Students Jennifer Scheuer, Allison Olmstead and Katie Woodby, the show was inspired by the curators’ interest in celebrating the three-dimensional construction of graphic works.

For further information or additional images please contact Jennifer Scheuer at jenscheuer@yahoo.com or by phone 320-333-0866.