Calendar of Events

Blount Mansion will host an exhibit opening from 5:30-7:30pm entitled Furniture on the Frontier, a showing of the Blount Mansion’s finest collection pieces on display at the Blount Mansion Visitors Center. Admission is free with light appetizers and a special gift for our members. Blount Mansion is currently closed to the public for a historic restoration and preservation project; the Visitors Center remains open Tuesday-Saturday 9:30-5 with the exception of Game Days in Volunteer country. This exhibit, Furniture on the Frontier, will be on display for the duration of the closure and is always free to the public, with a suggested donation! Come and see some of William Blount’s most valuable possessions and a wonderful example of the splendor of the Blount’s during the founding of Knoxville. Blount Mansion is the home of William Blount, Tennessee’s only signer of the United States Constitution, as well as where the Tennessee State Constitution was drafted and signed. It will be an opportunity for all Knoxville citizens to learn about their vital historical importance in the founding of our government. Blount Mansion is Knoxville's only National Historic Landmark given by the National Park Service and is the oldest house museum in Knox County. It is owned and operated by the Blount Mansion Association, Inc., a nonprofit, educational organization.

Blount Mansion, 200 W. Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-525-2375, www.blountmansion.org

"The Science Maze" where visitors get lost in science facts as they discover interesting tidbits of science fields from astronomy to zoology. AMSE Second Level.

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

A juried, mixed-media exhibition open to all artists and intended to showcase exceptional work produced throughout our region. Juried by Jeffrey Adams, Director of the Appalachian Center for Craft.

Opening reception: September 14, 7-9 PM with a gallery talk at 6:30 PM.

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9AM-5PM; Saturday-Monday, 1-4PM. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org

Pueblo pottery of the Southwest is one of the most beautiful and enduring artistic traditions in all of Native North America. It is a tradition rich with history—not only as an expression of cultural identity, but also to serve as a reflection of the relationship between Pueblo peoples and the influences from outside their own community. Today, there are about twenty pueblos with a total population in excess of 50,000. It is a practice flexible enough to adapt as necessary over time, while still adhering to established social norms.

Pottery-making in the American Southwest is a tradition that first emerged about two thousand years ago. Historically, it was a functional art form, passed from generation to generation over the span of centuries by people living in permanent villages known as pueblos. The pottery of each pueblo was unique and distinguished by a variety of characteristics, such as the individual clay source and shape of the vessels and designs, or lack thereof, painted onto the surface. By the latter part of the nineteenth century, these traditions were well established; and as more and more people began to travel and move to the Southwest, pottery production was quickly transformed from a functional art form (used primarily within Pueblo communities) to a highly marketable cultural expression.

Curated by Bill Mercer, this exhibition consists of seventy-four Pueblo Indian pottery vessels and supporting materials, dating from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twenties centuries, illustrating the remarkable variety of pottery created during that very dynamic time of transformation. Some of the vessels in the exhibition are very conservative and adhere to the traditional style of a particular pueblo, while others incorporate innovations specifically designed for the retail market.

It is also during this time period that certain individuals, such as Nampeyo from Hopi and Maria Martinez from San Ildefonso, became recognized for the quality of their work. The exhibition includes outstanding examples of their work as well.

Through this exhibition, drawn exclusively from the rich collections of the Kansas City Museum and Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, visitors will be introduced to the various styles of Pueblo pottery, as well as an understanding of the narrative behind its continued development.

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, 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

"Collage as a Strategy for..." an exhibition of work by Jean Hess.
Reception, Friday, September 20, 2013, 6:00-7:30 PM. Artist talk at 6:30 PM.

Jean Hess’s work is influenced by her studies in cultural anthropology as well as in art. She creates obscure and playful collage paintings, combining natural materials and recycled ephemera to reference dream, memory and nostalgia as well as issues of loss, particularly environmental degradation.

Solo shows include the University of Tennessee, University of North Carolina – Charlotte, Tennessee Arts Commission, University of Alabama – Huntsville, East Tennessee State University, University of North Carolina – Charlotte, Maryville College, Association for Visual Arts (Chattanooga), Callanwolde Fine Arts Center (Atlanta) and Savannah College of Art and Design. Hess’s solo show at the Huntsville Museum of Art in 2004 was accompanied by an award-winning catalogue. Her work has been included in juried or curated shows at Hunter Museum of Art (Chattanooga); Knoxville Museum of Art; William King Museum, Abingdon, VA; Huntsville Museum of Art; Evansville Museum of Art, Science and History; Carroll Reese Museum (Johnson City); Clarksville (TN) Museum and Cultural Center; McKinney Avenue Contemporary (Dallas); and University of Texas – Dallas. Hess’s mixed-media collage paintings are in numerous private and public collections, including the Huntsville Museum of Art; Evansville Museum of Arts, Science and History; University of Virginia.

Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Gallery hours: Monday-Thursday 9AM-5PM; Friday 9AM-4:30PM; Sunday 9AM-1PM. Information: 865-523-4176, www.tvuuc.org

African American Appalachian Arts, Incorporated (AAAA, Inc.) is hosting an Opening Ceremony for an Artist Exhibition at the Downtown African American Art Gallery. Artist Hawa Ware Johnson native of Liberia West Africa, who now resides in Knoxville, will install a Visual Art Exhibition. The exhibition will be on display in the office of African American Appalachian Arts, Inc., Suite 106 of The Emporium Building, 100 South Gay Street, Knoxville TN, 37902.

Celebrating the Ten Year Anniversary of “First Friday” - Baba Beats & Edutainment will be conducting a Drum Circle/Jam session. Feel free to bring an instrument; some hand instruments will be provided. Djembe Gear drum bags and gear will be for sale and on display. On Friday, October 4th, 2013, from 6:00pm – 8:00pm in the office of African American Appalachian Arts, Inc., Suite 106, The Emporium Building, 100 South Gay Street, Knoxville TN, 37902. A taste of Liberian cuisine will be available.

African American Appalachian Arts: 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 106, Knoxville, TN 37902. 865-217-6786, kuumbafest@gmail.com

On First Friday September 6th., “2 Many Pixels” photo gallery is proud to present a collection of photographs by photo-journalist and artist CHAD GREENE. This exhibit is a collection of Knoxville portraits, from the traditional family business owners to the fastest women of Knoxville and their motorcycles. The artist will perform a live installation during the opening, taking photographs of the public and hanging these impromptu portraits on the gallery walls. The photographs are all for sale, gallery archival prints, signed and numbered by the artists.
Hope to see you all for the opening on Friday night September 6th., 6pm to 9:30pm. The photos will remain on the walls through the months of September and October.
2 Many Pixels: 130 West Jackson Avenue, Suite 201, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: M-F 10-5, other times by appointment. Information: 917 532 4913 or patrice@2manypixelsphoto.com

Works of art by seven Oak Ridge artists depict historical structures, lifestyle and nature through framed prints and oil on canvas featured in the "Oak Ridge in Art" exhibition. One of the iconic images of bygone days captured by these artists is the 1920's arched Solway Bridge over the Clinch River on Hwy. 62 to join Oak Ridge to Knoxville. Built by Knox County and dedicated in 1930, the Solway Bridge was described as a 772 foot long concrete arch bridge with 20 foot roadway with 3 foot sidewalk on right. The beauty of the three arches of the Solway bridge could not compensate for a two-lane roadway only 20 feet in width, which was replaced in the 1970's by a four lane concrete bridge. To commemorate the beauty of the 1920's Solway Bridge, examine Nick Fielder's oil on canvas, Pat McWilliams Hopkins' print, Fred Heddleson's print and his series of prints recording the "Destruction of the Solway Bridge" in various stages dated from April 14, 1970 through April 15, 1979. Several 1940's buildings and activities are interpreted by the Oak Ridge artists in the museum exhibition. The Chapel on the Hill is shown in a print by Helen Guymon and an oil on artist board by Helen Bayless, which was donated to AMSE by Norman R. Miller. Of special interest is the oil on canvas works of Nick Fielder as he interprets "Gallaher Ferry, Oak Ridge, Clinch River 1943" and "Nuclear Day: Oppenheimer at Trinity, April 16, 1945". Irvin Grossman created an Alexander Inn print with its pink azalea landscape and porch spanning the outside of the first floor. Nancy Smith prepared a print of the American Museum of Science and Energy exterior. Helen Guymon developed the Oak Ridge 50th Commemorative Print "Oak Ridge Memories" with multiple images of Oak Ridge's townsite buildings, natural beauty in flora and fauna. AMSE acknowledges the exhibition loan of works by Oak Ridge artists from the collections of Bobbie Martin, Nick Fielder and Fred Heddleson. Available in the museum's Discovery Shop are Heddleson's Solway Bridge print and the Destruction of Solway Bridge print. The Discovery Shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 am - 4:45 pm and Sunday 1:00 - 4:45 pm.

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

The Town of Farragut Arts Council presents local artist Mary Ann Aken as the featured artist for September and October. A sampling of her textiles and tapestries is featured in specially designed cases on the second floor of the rotunda in the Farragut Town Hall. A Farragut resident, Aken holds a master of fine arts degree with a career spanning work as a studio commission artist, potter, weaver, textile designer, fashion illustrator, color consultant, art history researcher, watercolorist, iconographer and art educator. Her works can be found in seven countries and 30 states, including three paintings in the University of Tennessee Collection. Aken is a member of the Knoxville Watercolor Society, Tennessee Watercolor Society, East Tennessee Iconographer Guild, Art Market Gallery and Art Group 21. She was the recipient of the first Knoxville Art in Public Places Award. Aken's Town Hall display highlights her original designs in textiles and tapestries. Included are concept fabric designs intended for commercial productions. Three of the tapestries displayed are from the "Cedar Trees of Tennessee" series, portraying the beauty of the state's cedar trees at different lights and times of the year. The weaving on display was done on different types of hand weaving looms and is a reflection of the mid-20th century crafts movement that encouraged artists to revive old forms of many fine crafts.

For more information about this exhibit or to access a Featured Artist of the Month application, please contact Lauren Cox at lauren.cox@townoffarragut.org or 966-7057 or visit www.townoffarragut.org/artsandculture. The Farragut Town Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 11408 Municipal Center Drive directly across from the Farragut Branch Post Office.

Honoring the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Campbell Station, the exhibit will feature a variety of items related to the battle, fought Nov. 16, 1863 on the land surrounding the Farragut Town Hall, as well as an encampment scene on the vignette in the Doris Woods Owens Gallery. The exhibit will include items from the personal collections of local community members Gerald Augustus, Folklife Museum Committee Member Jack Haines, Jerry Keyes, Folklife Museum Committee Chair Lou LaMarche and Jack Lane. Items on display will include Civil War guns; a tree stump from the Frank Russell House containing a bullet from the battle; the first edition of William Brownlow's Knoxville Whig and Rebel Ventilator newspaper originally published during the Civil War; and an original letter from Seventeenth Michigan Infantry soldier V.W. Bruce to Nancy Galbraith who cared for him when he was wounded in the battle.

The Farragut Folklife Museum is committed to preserving the heritage of its East Tennessee community and features a remarkable collection of artifacts from the area, including an extensive collection of the personal belongings of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, first Admiral of the U.S. Navy and hero of the Civil War.

Farragut Folklife Museum, 11408 Municipal Center Drive, Farragut, TN 37934. Hours: M-F 10AM-4:30PM and by appointment. Free. 865-966-7057

Contra dancing to live acoustic music. No experience or partner required!

Mondays at 8:00PM, $7, for information call 865-386-6627 or www.knoxvillecontra.org.
Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916.