Calendar of Events

Come enjoy the beauty of water media. This exhibit is free to the public with a reception to meet the artists on Friday, March 22 from 4:00 until 6:00 PM. On display are some of the finest examples of water media paintings created by award winning artists from the region. The DENSO Gallery and the KWS exhibit will be open from 10am to 6pm Monday through Friday and during public events such as plays and concerts. This is a free event!

Clayton Center for the Arts: 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Info: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com

Gene Yang, groundbreaking graphic novelist, to speak in Knoxville on March 4 and 5

National Book Award nominee and Printz Award recipient to discuss the creation, merit, and educational value of graphic novels

The comic book has officially grown up. If prestigious literary awards are any indication of ultimate acceptance, the comic book and its younger sister, the graphic novel, are decidedly in. Knox County Public Library is pleased to partner with the Center for Children’s and Young Adult Literature at the University of Tennessee to present two evenings with award-winning graphic novelist, Gene Luen Yang.

On Monday, March 4, 7 p.m., at University of Tennessee Hodges Library Auditorium, 1015 Volunteer Blvd., Yang will speak to educators about how to select comics for the classroom, and how to use comics to promote literacy, engage students, and help students think critically about media. This event is free and open to the public. Yang will be available to sign books after the talk.

On Tuesday, March 5, 6 p.m., at the East Tennessee History Center Auditorium, 601 South Gay Street, Yang will illustrate how to make comic books, taking students through his creative process step-by-step. This workshop is free, however registration is required. Interested parties should reserve space by calling 865-215-8700 or registering online at www.knoxlib.org.

March 4: Tim Easton + The High Jump Heart + author Kim Trevathan

Singer-songwriter Tim Easton has been making folk-rock long before he moved to Nashville. In the early '90s, his Akron, Ohio-based band The Haynes Boys were throwing down as hard as Uncle Tupelo and Whiskeytown without the acclaim. As a solo artist, Easton has crafted a remarkable catalog of songs that are personal, political, funny, intimate and everything in between.

Knoxville’s five-piece indie-folk band The High Jump Heart blends country, folk and bluegrass influences for a rich and wholesome acoustic stew that balances hard-driving Mumford moments with sweet harmonies suitable for campfire singalongs. The band is currently in the studio recording an album.

Kim Trevathan, assistant professor of writing and communication at Maryville College, will be reading from his forthcoming book published by UT Press, Liminal Zones: Where Lakes End and Rivers Begin. He is also the author of Coldhearted River: A Canoe Odyssey down the Cumberland and Paddling the Tennessee River: A Voyage on Easy Water. His writings have also appeared in the Texas Review and the New Delta Review.

Tennessee Shines is a weekly radio show on WDVX FM hosted by Bob Deck and Paige Travis on the stage of the Knoxville Visitor Center Mondays at 7pm and broadcast live on WDVX FM and WDVX.com. Tickets are $10, free for students with valid ID and children ages 14 and under. Tickets are available in advance at the WDVX Blue Plate Special, noon weekdays and Saturdays at the Knoxville Visitor Center, or at the door beginning at 6 p.m. on the night of the show.

More info about Tennessee Shines is available at TennesseeShines.com.

The epic documentary film, "Kunta Kinteh Island" will be shown Monday, March 4 at 7:00 PM at the Clarence Brown Theatre on the UT Campus.

The guest performer for the March 11 James A. Dick Mighty Musical Monday Program will be Liz Peterson. In addition to the singing performer, Bill Snyder and Freddie Brabson will play selections on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Guest MC for the program will be Kelly Shipe. A lunch consisting of a sandwich, chips, and a dessert may be purchased in the lobby for $5.00; supplies are limited. In addition several snacks may be purchased at the concession stand such as soft drinks, bottled water, popcorn, candy. There is no charge for the program.

Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com.

UT Jazz Singers perform with an energetic vibrancy that often engages the audience in the rhythm and movement of the music. Directed by Wendel Werner, the UT Jazz Singers will perform at the Blount County Public Library. As in previous years, Monday’s performance at the library will mark the launch of the Singers’ spring concert tour. Werner has been directing the Singers since 2001. With a Master’s degree in choral conducting with an emphasis in musicology and a Bachelor’s in Studio Music and Jazz, Werner sought training in many areas, including classical piano and jazz piano, so that he can continuously have opportunities to both teach and perform. He was named Composer of the Year by the Tennessee Piano Teachers Association, performing as the featured entertainer for the Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies and pianist for “Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy.” Talented in most musical genres, Werner is a composer, director, recording artist, teacher and performer.

Free and open to the public, the program is at the Blount County Public Library, located at 508 N. Cusick Street, Maryville.
For further information about other library programs or services, call the library at 982-0981 or visit the Web site at www.blountlibrary.org.

Saturday, March 2
10 a.m. HIKE-A-THON BEGINS!! Commencement Speech and opening hike with Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis.

Monday, March 4
12 p.m.: HIKE-A-THON: Discovery Hike with Samantha. Lace up your hiking boots and discover the wonders of wildflowers, animals, and trees at Ijams Nature Center. Open to all ages.
4 p.m.: Nature Fun Station. Join us each Monday afternoon for a different Nature Fun Station. You never know what kind of outdoor fun we'll be digging up each week. These programs are FREE and no registration is required.

Tuesday, March 5
10 a.m. HIKE-A-THON: Wonders of Birding Hike with Lee. If you ever wanted to know about what birds are in your yard or just migrating through, this hike is for you. Open to all ages.

Wednesday, March 6
10 a.m. HIKE-A-THON: Creek Walk with Stephen Lyn. Explore the creek life and diversity on this fun, watery adventure.

Thursday, March 7
10 a.m. HIKE-A-THON: Wonders of Birding Hike with Lee. If you ever wanted to know about what birds are in your yard or just migrating through, this hike is for you. Open to all ages.
10 a.m. HIKE-A-THON: Little Tykes Hike with Sarah. Bring your little ones out to explore, dig, run and play. Each week has a different theme. Recommended for families with children aged 2-5.
4 p.m. Backyard Birds FeederWatch.
Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. FeederWatch data help scientists track bird populations. Join us each Thursday in March as we visit the feeders around Ijams Nature Center to identify and count the visiting bird species. At the end, we'll submit our bird counts to help with this research project. This program is FREE and registration is not required.

Friday, March 8
10 a.m. HIKE-A-THON: Quarry Quest with Lee. If you haven't explored the quarries at Ijams, you are missing a true gem in the crown of Knoxville's outdoor resources. Open to all ages.

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Call for Visitor Center hours. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Historic Ramsey House
Volunteers Needed
Volunteer Training Day
March 2nd and 7th 2013, 11:00 am at Ramsey House
2614 Thorngrove Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914

Ramsey House is hosting a volunteer training day for old members, new members, and anyone else interested in becoming a part of our community’s heritage! We will review how to give house tours and how to operate the gift shop. This is a great opportunity to brush up on old information and find out some new gems about this historic house.
There will be something for everyone!!
Light refreshments are provided.

If you are interested please call Sandy at Ramsey House
Phone: 865-546-0745
Email: sandy@ramseyhouse.org
Web: www.ramseyhouse.org

Opening on March 1 is an exhibit of art quilts entitled “WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS”, produced by Sisters with Artistic Attitude, a sub group of the Village Quilters Guild of Loudon County, TN. This exhibit will remain on display through April 30, 2013. Members of the group embarked on a year and half long project to fashion individual quilts from the pieces and blocks given to them from the other group members.

Each member chose a theme and/or color scheme which formed the basis for the contributions. Each individual created a block each month for another member. Then came the challenge as each member had to merge the contributed blocks of various styles and techniques into a cohesive and attractive finished art quilt.

The public is invited to meet the quilters at an opening reception for “With A Little Help from My Friends” on March 8, 2013, from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at The Arts Center. Light refreshments will be served.

The Arts Center is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information or directions, call The Arts Center at 423-745-8781, or visit the website at www.athensartscouncil.org.

"2 Many Pixels” photo gallery is proud to present "What She Saw", a beautiful mosaic of images by 3 young women and Knoxville photographers: Shelby Gordon, Erika Smith and Rachel Vykukal. This exhibit is an exploration of the female sensitivity and its transcription through the photographic medium. The photographs are all for sale, gallery archival prints, signed and numbered by the artists. The photos will remain on the walls throughout the months of March and April.
Reception on Friday night, April 5th., 6pm to 9:30pm
"2 Many Pixels"130 West Jackson avenue, suite 201, Knoxville, TN 37902
The gallery is open weekdays 10 am to 5 pm and after hours or weekends by appointment at 917 532 4913 or patrice@2manypixelsphoto.com

Mark Soppeland is this year’s artist-in-residence at Maryville College. While on campus March 25-29, he will teach workshops, participate in individual critiques with students and give a presentation about his work.
A collection of his recent work, titled “The House of the Mystery Cult,” will be on display in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ Blackberry Farm Gallery through March 29. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
A reception will be held on Mon., March 25 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Soppeland will give a presentation about his work in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall at 7 p.m.

The Art Market Gallery of Knoxville will feature an exhibit of recent works by two members, jeweler Kristine Taylor of Knoxville and photographer Ronald Sullivan of Oak Ridge.

A First Friday opening reception for the exhibit is planned for 5:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, March 1, with complimentary refreshments and live music by Crispy Williams, who performs acoustic, folk and blues on guitar and banjo.

Member owned and operated by more than 60 regional artists, the Art Market Gallery is located at 422 South Gay St., next to the Downtown Grill & Brewery, and a few doors down from Mast General Store. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday. The gallery is handicapped accessible. For more information, call 865-525-5265, visit artmarketgallery.net, or Facebook.com/Art.Market.Gallery.