Calendar of Events

Freckle In My Eye is a one-woman show written and performed by Ashley Wilkerson. Freckle is the poignant, shocking and sometimes humorous story of Shesee Jones, a young woman living on Texas’ Death Row. Lisa Becky Kelly Pierce, an over-imaginative little girl; Madame CJ, a flamboyant beer and wine distributor and Lil Crazy, a volatile teenage boy are only a few of the characters that inhabit Wilkerson as she takes the audience careening through this provocative journey. The stories and voices of the incarcerated are mostly silenced by the very act of incarceration. Rarely do we get an opportunity to hear about the personal lives of prisoners, where they come from or the set of circumstances that resulted in their incarceration. Freckle humanizes both crime victims and those incarcerated through telling a story about the life of a deprived young woman’s struggle to survive.

Price- $15 advance (via www.KnoxTIX.com), $20 at the door
At "My Place" Performing Arts, 734 N. Hall of Fame Drive, Knoxville, TN 37917; Phone: 865-898-4604

Information: 865-544-0447, www.carpetbagtheatre.org

Representatives from the Tennessee State Library and Archives and the Tennessee State Museum will be in Knoxville to record and digitize Civil War memorabilia owned by local residents for an exhibit titled “Looking Back: The Civil War in Tennessee.” Archivists will be at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay Street, in Knoxville on August 15th from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and August 16th from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. During that time, they invite area residents to bring in original photographs, documents, and other artifacts related to the Civil War. The archivists will scan or take digital photographs of the materials, some of which will be featured in the exhibit, located online at www.tncivilwar150.org. The archivists will not actually take possession of the items from their owners. Individuals may call (615) 741-1883 or e-mail civilwar.tsla@tn.gov to schedule a reservation with the archivists. Reservation forms and available times may be found on the State Library and Archives’ section of the Office of the Secretary of State web site at http://tn.gov/tsla/cwtn/cwtn_events.htm.

Attendees at the event will receive copies of the digital photographs and tips on how to preserve their Civil War memorabilia. Archivists plan to visit as many of Tennessee’s 95 counties as possible in search of material for the exhibit, which commemorates the Civil War’s 150th anniversary.

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-215-8824, www.easttnhistory.org

Utilizing the popular sand-casting process, create a unique concrete butterfly feeding and watering station for your garden. Learn from Knoxville Botanical Garden Grounds Manager, Mathew McMillan, about the nutritional requirements of butterflies and how best to attract them to your new dining station. Most of the supplies to put out a complete dining station will be provided, requiring only a few easily found ingredients for a popular hangout to your garden’s butterflies. The sand-cast process can be messy, so dress accordingly.

Note: It is best to leave your work at the Garden to cure over the weekend.

Preregistration is required. Meet at our Visitor Center. $30 members, $40 non-members.

Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, 2743 Wimpole Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914. Hours: Gardens open daily from dawn to dusk. Information: 865-862-8717, www.knoxgarden.org

Thursday, August 15, 7 p.m., “The Twangtown Paramours.” Mike Lewis and Mary Beth Zamer, a husband and wife team who live in Nashville and perform internationally have a new album, "The Promise of Friday Night," that was # 2 on the July Folk DJ Chart. In November, 2012, John Platt of WFUV in New York City and Lilli Kuzma of WDCB in Chicago included their album on their top 10 lists for 2012. In May, they won Wildflower's Michael Terry People's Choice award in Richardson, TX. They are currently writing songs for upcoming films for Major Studio Partners in NYC, who has financed films such as Superman II and The Devil Wears Prada. In 2012, they opened for Joe Ely, Claire Lynch, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Kim and Reggie Harris. They will perform in the Reading Rotunda of the library.
Free and open to the public, the program is at the Blount County Public Library, located at 508 N. Cusick Street, Maryville.

For the 29th year, the YWCA will honor outstanding women in our community through its Tribute to Women celebration. This annual event is East Tennessee's foremost acknowledgment and appreciation of the contributions of local women. The award ceremony will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2013, at the U.S. Cellular Stage at the Historic Bijou Theatre. This year's event emphasizes work and dedication to Equality, Empowerment, and Transformation by all 21 finalists. These themes reflect the mission of the YWCA to eliminate racism, empower women, and create peace, justice, dignity, and freedom for all. Six honorees will be announced at the event in August. The finalists represent nominations from all nine counties of East Tennessee, and were selected among all the
from an impressive and highly accomplished group of nominees. This year, the YWCA Tribute to Women event will also induct Joan Cronan into the distinguished group of Lifetime Achievement honorees.

The red-carpet-style event begins with an Honoree Reception at the First Tennessee Bank at 800 S. Gay Street at 5:30 p.m. on August 15. Guests, finalists, YWCA supporters, and friends will be able to congratulate and celebrate all the finalists while enjoying food, beer, and wine. Next, the crowd moves across the red carpet to the U.S. Cellular Stage at the Historic Bijou Theatre at 7 p.m. for the Awards Ceremony. WBIR News Anchor Robin Wilhoit will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies. This year's finalist presentation has been filmed and produced by Pellissippi State Community College.

Seating is limited and may sell out; it is advised that you purchase your ticket early. For more information on the YWCA's Tribute to Women, please contact Danielle Benson at (865) 523-6126 or DBenson@ywcaknox.com or visit our website at www.ywcaknox.com.

Join Web.com and the News Sentinel Open for the upcoming Small Business Forum. This interactive Forum will focus on helping local businesses learn how to successfully market their business online. Key areas for discussion include the following.
What are the elements of a great website?
How do I increase traffic to my website and to my business?
Is my website "working" for my business?
How do I market my business on Google, Facebook and Twitter?

Free to attend, but we ask that you register in advance at smallbusinessforum.web.com. Free continental breakfast included. Location: Rothchild’s Catering and Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923

One (1) free News Sentinel Open Ticket for all attendees

People's Choice Exhibit at the Denso Gallery
Reception on September 27, 5-8 PM

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

Javier began photography years ago as a hobby; however, it quickly turned into a passion that he has pursued with ambition and talent. Much of Javier's work draws inspiration from nature, showcasing the beauty and wonder in a world that often goes by unnoticed. His photography has been featured at The Frist Center, Palette Gallery, Fire Hall Gallery, Williamson County Library, Cheekwood Museum, Knoxville Museum of Art, and other group shows throughout Nashville.

Gallery hours: M-F 10-5. HoLa Hora Latina: 865-335-3358, www.holafestival.org

Recent works by potter Linda Sullivan of Oak Ridge and paintings by Linda Johnson of Loudon will be featured during the month of August at the Art Market Gallery in downtown Knoxville.

Linda Sullivan, who received her MFA in Ceramics from Northern Illinois University, will exhibit recent clay pieces. She likes to alternate between making wheel-thrown and hand-formed stoneware and porcelain work, and fires both types to 2300 degrees in electric kilns to achieve a clean, bright look.

On a whim, Linda Johnson took a painting class 12 years ago while living in California, and has continued learning at workshops around the country. It was a natural fit for someone who likes working with her hands, from gardening to cooking. “I fell deeply in love with expressing myself through the vibrant colors, delicate lines and curves of flowers in God’s magnificent world about us,” she says. Her medium is watercolors and her preferred subject matter children and flowers. She belongs to the Tennessee Watercolor Society, Southern Watercolor Society and the Tellico Village Art Guild.

An opening reception for the exhibit will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, during Knoxville’s monthly First Friday Art Walk. There will be complimentary refreshments and easy-listening American music and vocals in a Southern style by Elijah Harris on guitar and drums, and many member artists will be on hand to meet and mingle with patrons.

Owned and operated by more than 60 professional regional artists who also run the gallery, the Art Market is located at 422 South Gay St., a few doors away from Mast General Store, and next to the Downtown Grill & Brewery. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday. The gallery is handicapped accessible and parking in the abutting garage is free after 6 p.m. and on weekends. For more information, call 865-525-5265, or visit artmarketgallery.net, or facebook.com/Art.Market.Gallery.

Bliss Home is pleased to present Knoxville artist, Erika Smith, for August's First Friday. Bliss Home, located at 29 Market Square, will host an opening reception on Friday, August 2nd from 6pm to 9pm. Complimentary Steamboat Sandwiches will be provided and Erika's art will be featured the whole month of August.

Erika's mixed media collage style has been largely self-taught and inspired by the world around her. She sees the appeal of not only the typical sense of beauty, but the life and splendor in decay as well. One man’s trash is Erika’s treasure, as she can be found rooting through the discarded to incorporate antique photos and paint with broken glass, rusty nails, cast away doll parts, and a myriad of elements that seem unnatural but work so well together with Erika’s touch.

Bliss Home 29 Market Square Knoxville, TN 37902

Professional artist, Sam Hill, has an art exhibition as Artist of the Month during the month of August. Many watercolor paintings are displayed. Sam is the winner of many top awards at the PCAC and Oak Ridge Art Center and is a signature member of the Ohio Watercolor Society, Whiskey Painters of America, and an associate member of the American Watercolor Society.

Plateau Creative Arts Center, 451 Lakeview Drive, Fairfield Glade, TN 38558. Hours: M-F 9AM-4PM; Saturday-Sunday 1-4PM. Information: 931-707-7249; www.artguildfairfieldglade.net

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present a new “side by side” exhibition featuring mixed media, encaustic, watercolor, acrylic, sculptures, and more by the Artists Association of Monroe County and young artists from VSA Arts Tennessee. This exhibition is the first time the two organizations have partnered together and will be displayed in the Balcony at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from August 2-30, 2013. An opening reception will take place as part of First Friday activities on August 2 from 5:00-9:00 PM with complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

The Side by Side, Diverse Arts of Monroe County exhibition will be on display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, from August 2-30, 2013. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM with additional hours on Saturday, August 3, from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543 or visit www.knoxalliance.com.