Calendar of Events

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present its National Juried Exhibition of 2014, a new exhibition featuring selected works from 36 artists in the Southeast region. The National Juried Exhibition was developed in 2006 to provide a forum for local artists to compete on a national scale and display their highest quality work. The exhibition encompasses all styles and genres from both emerging and established artists working in a variety of media such as drawing, photography, digital media, watercolor, oil painting, encaustic, ceramics, and woodworking and will be displayed in the Emporium Center from February 7 – March 1, 2014. Most of the works are for sale. A public reception will take place on Friday, February 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM with a brief awards ceremony at 6:00 PM in which $1,000 in cash awards will be announced. The First Friday reception also features a performance by Tennessee Stage Company from 6:30-6:45 PM and a Jazz Jam Session hosted by Vance Thompson and Friends from 7:00-9:00 PM, both in the Black Box Theatre. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be available and chocolate fondue will be provided by the Melting Pot of Knoxville.

Paul Collins served as juror for the exhibition. He is a multidisciplinary artist and curator from Nashville. Collins makes drawings, paintings and sculpture that combine humor, tactility and observation to examine the world around us. He has an MFA from Yale and has been a resident at Skowhegan, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, and the Vermont Studio Center. Collins works as Gallery Director and Assistant Professor of Art at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville. “This exhibition offers a powerful view of artists’ narratives and responses to the challenge of creating images in today’s day and age,” says Paul Collins. “The works all evidence a strong sense of voice in answering their own questions of what makes us vital as people and what compels us to make artwork.”

The National Juried Exhibition of 2014 is on display February 7 – March 1, 2014 at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, downtown Knoxville. Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Saturday, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543, or visit our web site at www.knoxalliance.com.

The Arts & Culture Alliance proudly presents “Afghanistan: Unordinary Lives”, a new exhibition of 20 photographs by Slovenian artist Manca Juvan that portrays civil society in Afghanistan. Juvan made several trips to the country between 2003 and 2009, documenting the lives of Afghans who, after the fall of the Taliban, had been promised much by the international community. Their lives, unfortunately, were little changed for the better. The images have been published in a book of the same title that aims to encourage continued discussion of Afghanistan, particularly of the daily lives of ordinary citizens who are usually omitted from the political/war discussions in the media. The photographs will be displayed in the Balcony of the Emporium Center from February 7 – March 1, 2014. A public reception will take place on Friday, February 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM with complimentary hors d’oeuvres available and chocolate fondue provided by the Melting Pot of Knoxville.

“Despite the international community’s efforts to crush the Taliban regime in Afghanistan after 9/11, and its promises of bringing democracy and rebuilding to this war-torn nation, the ongoing war and instability continues to diminish the hopes of the Afghan people,” says Manca Juvan. “Stories on the lives of ordinary Afghans caught in this endless conflict of interest and the ongoing struggle for money, power, and overall control remind us what the real images of war and poverty, of lives far from ordinary, look like.” Prior to exhibition in Knoxville, the collection of images has shown at Gallery MC in New York; Ljubljana Castle, Koroska Gallery of Fine Arts, STOLP Gallery, and Museum of Modern Art in Slovenia; Photomed festival in France; the Federal Parliament of Belgium; and the Abbaye de Neumünster in Luxembourg. For more information on the Afghanistan: Unordinary Lives project, visit www.mancajuvan.com/unordinarylives.

Born 1981 in Slovenia, Manca Juvan has worked as a freelance photographer since 2000 after completing her studies at the Slovene School for Photography. She has been selected as Photographer of the Year in Slovenia for her reportage work in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and has been twice commended for her work on Afghanistan by the Slovenian Association of Journalists. Her book Afghanistan: Unordinary Lives was published by Sanje publishers in 2010 with an English edition following 2012. In 2011 she was chosen as one of three recipients of a scholarship for NYU/Magnum Foundation Photography and Human Rights Program. Juvan has published photographs and stories on Venezuela, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand, India, the United States, Serbia and the EU countries, among others in The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Chicago Tribune, National Geographic (Slovenia), Time.com, Marie Claire, and The European Voice. She is a member of the International Association of Photojournalists called SPUTNIK. She has worked as a mentor on photo documentary workshops and more recently university photography programs, and she prepared several solo exhibitions and participated in many group displays home and abroad.

Her visit has been coordinated by the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington and Lydia Pulsipher, Professor of Geography, Emeritus at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Honorary Consul for the Republic of Slovenia to Tennessee. For more information on Manca Juvan, visit www.mancajuvan.com.

At the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, downtown Knoxville. Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Saturday, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543, or visit our Web site at www.knoxalliance.com.

Bliss Home is pleased to present Knoxville artist, Christi Shields, for February's First Friday. Bliss Home, located at 29 Market Square, will host an opening reception on Friday, February 7th from 6pm to 9pm. Complimentary Steamboat Sandwiches will be provided and Christi's art will be featured for the month of February.

Christi's February exhibit is a collection of paintings which express emotions from the past through continued experimentation in innovative, edgy and modern acrylic techniques. Christi uses a very action oriented process along with layer techniques and color to create depth. By using bold colors, texture and movement, Christi aims to evoke an emotional response from the viewer.

Admission: Free
Bliss Home, 29 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-329-8868, www.shopinbliss.com

In honor of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, the McClung Museum will feature several Olympic-themed bronzes of speed skaters and figure skaters from the Museum's collections.

Art of the Winter Olympics features several pieces by the artist Robert Tait McKenzie—a physician and director of physical education who combined his love of sports and art in a career as a sculptor.

The display, which goes up on February 7, the first day of Winter Olympics competition, will be on view through February 24.

Over the next few months, the McClung will host lectures, family days, and stroller tours related exhibits. As always, admission to both the museum and these programs is free.

More details, as well as information on museum hours and free parking, can be found on the McClung Museum's website, http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

Pellissippi State Community College is celebrating Black History Month with numerous events at its five campuses throughout February. Activities are free and the community is invited.

The Magnolia Avenue Campus starts the month-long activities with “Healthy Pelli: Campus Health Fair,” Wednesday, Feb. 5. Each Friday in February, the site hosts an African Jazz Cafe in the Lobby.

The Division Street Campus offers two films in February: Disney’s “Ruby Bridges” on the 11th and “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” on the 20th. Both are at 12:15 p.m. in the Student Lounge.

The Magnolia Avenue Campus hosts a “History of African-American Music: Freedom Songs, Blues and Jazz” 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the Community Room. The presentation features local jazz artist Kelle Jolly.

The Blount County Campus presents the documentary “The Underground Railroad” Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the Educational Resources Center.

At the Hardin Valley Campus, Feb. 21 brings “A Celebration of African-American Art, Music and Literature.” The event is in the Goins Building College Center, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. It features an art display, performance by the Vine Middle School African Dancers and Drummers, poetry reading by Oak Ridge poet Rose Weaver, and “Taste of Soul Food.”

Also at the Hardin Valley site, Feb. 27 the community is invited to a Faculty Lecture Series presentation: “John Brown: Maniacal Egotist or Moral Crusader?” by Joy Ingram, an associate professor. The talk is at 2 p.m. in the Goins Building Auditorium.

Throughout the month, African-American history exhibits will be on display in the Community Room of the Magnolia Avenue Campus, the Lobby of the Strawberry Plains Campus, the Student Lounge of the Division Street Campus, and the Educational Resources centers of the Blount County and Hardin Valley campuses.

The theme of the display at the Magnolia Avenue Campus is “All About That Jazz”; Division Street, “Embrace African-American Heritage Board of Fame”; and Strawberry Plains, “African-Americans of Influence.”

Other ongoing events include African tea and coffee tastings:
· Hardin Valley, Goins Building Rotunda, 8:30-10 a.m. Wednesdays
· Division Street, Student Lounge, 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays
· Strawberry Plains, Lobby, 9-10:30 a.m. Mondays

For more information about Pellissippi State, visit www.pstcc.edu or call (865) 694-6400. To request accommodations for a disability, contact the executive director of Human Resources at (865) 694-6607 or humanresources@pstcc.edu.

The WordPlayers, in collaboration with The Carpetbag Theatre, will tour: A Woman Called Truth by Sandra Fenichel Asher – A one-act play with music celebrating the life and achievements of Sojourner Truth. Directed by Linda Parris-Bailey with musical direction by Kelly Jolly. The play begins at the 1851 women’s rights convention in Akron, Ohio. We then go back in time to 1797 and travel with Sojourner as she remembers some of the extraordinary experiences that shaped her life. We get a glimpse of her highly cruel and unjust treatment as a slave. We experience how she bravely took her freedom and how she fought to free her son. At the end of the play, we learn how she became “Sojourner Truth” and get a taste of her dynamic spirit as an orator as she delivers her famous “Ain’t I a Woman” speech.

A Woman Called Truth is an important story about a significant woman in our country’s history. You are invited to these free, public performances!

Feb. 2, Fourth United Presbyterian, 1323 N. Broadway, 5:00 pm
Feb. 3, Moses Teen Center, 220 Carrick St., 7:00 pm
Feb. 8, ReCreate Café, Salvation Army, Chattanooga, 1:00 pm
Feb. 11, Walters State – Sevierville, 6:00 pm
Feb. 24, Walters State – Greeneville, 11:30 am
Feb. 24, Walters State – Claiborne, 6:00 pm
Feb. 25, Roane State – Harriman, 12:30 & 6:00 pm
Feb. 28, Walters State – Morristown, 2:00 pm

Info: 865-539-2490, wordplayers@comcast.net, http://wordplayers.org/current-season/touring-shows/woman-called-truth-spring-2014

Work by 12 African-American artists
curated by Sammie Nicely

In the Edith Davis Gallery

Rose Center, 442 W Second N Street, Morristown, TN 37814
Info: info@rosecenter.org, 423-581-4330, www.rosecenter.org, www.facebook/rosecenter

February 1, 12:00 PM - IJAMS BIRDING SERIES: Sandhill Cranes at Hiwassee
(Ages 12 and up) Weather permitting, join Ijams Senior Naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales for a road trip to Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge to see sandhill cranes wintering at the Meigs County location. Golden and bald eagles, winter ducks, and whooping cranes are also possible. Meet at the Ijams Visitor Center. The fee for this program is $12 for members and $15 for non-members. Ijams will provide box lunches and hot cocoa. Please call (865) 577-4717, ext. 110 to register.

2:00 pm - IJAMS FAMILY WILDLIFE SERIES: Groundhog Day
Unlike the popular movie, you won't be forced to relive this day over and over, but you may want to! Come join us for a fun and informative talk about one of our favorite underground dwellers. Will he see his shadow? Free to members, $5 for non-members. Please call (865) 577-4717, ext. 110 to register.

Terrarium Workshop February 8
Full Moon Happy Hour Hike February 15
New Naturalist Workshop February 21
Build a Bluebird House February 22

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

Featuring over 40 pieces from East Tennessee College Students

Join us at The Arts Center at 5:30 on Friday January 31 for an opening reception & award presentation; light refreshments provided by the AACA hospitality committee

The Arts Center, 320 North White Street, Athens, TN; 423-745-8781
http://www.athensartscouncil.org/a/events/regional-college-art-student-show-accepting-submissions/

Title: The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom: A Half Century Remembrance of the Dream

Photographic exhibit on tour from National Exhibitions & Archives
Twenty framed photographs of the historic event by LOOK photographer Stanley Tretick, with text panels, provide a look back to the day Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.

Rose Center, 442 W Second N Street, Morristown, TN 37814
Info: info@rosecenter.org, 423-581-4330, www.rosecenter.org, www.facebook/rosecenter

Death Rock City
Wall Drawings, Animation and Sculpture by Dannielle Tegeder
January 24 – February 28, 2014
ARTISTS RECEPTION: Friday, January 24, 2014, 6:00–8:00 p.m.

UT DOWNTOWN GALLERY | 106 S. GAY St. | KNOXVILLE, TN 37902
PHONE: 865-673-0802
GALLERY HOURS: WED- FRI 11:00AM – 6:00PM, SAT 10:00AM-3:00PM
WEDSITE: http://web.utk.edu/~downtown

Please join us for an exhibition of works by New York based artist Dannielle Tegeder as she presents an installation of wall drawings, animation and sculpture entitled; Death Rock City. Featuring new and recent work, the exhibition will examine how Tegeder challenges the two-dimensional boundaries of traditional painting through the integration of animation and sculpture into her work. The exhibition will open on January 24 at 6pm and run through February 28, 2014.

Ms. Tegeder will give a lecture about her work Thursday, January 23 at 7:30pm in the McCarty Auditorium in the UT Art and Architecture Building.

The Town of Farragut Arts Council presents Fran Thie as the featured artist for January and February. Her work is featured in specially designed cases on the second floor of the rotunda in the Farragut Town Hall. The exhibit features a variety of pastel landscapes and mixed watermedia abstracts. After exploring various career interests, Thie returned to her love of painting and drawing, with a focus on pastel, mixed media, watercolor and oil. Both self-taught and educated by nationally prominent artists, Thie's art reflects many influences and skills associated with her earlier involvements, specifically creative writing and literature. She strives to reflect the drama and contrast she finds in nature with the goal of communicating the spiritual sense she feels through nature. Thie has participated in numerous local and regional juried art exhibitions and has been a member of several local artists associations, including the Knoxville Watercolor Society and Tennessee Artists Association. Her work is currently featured in Knoxville's Art Market Gallery and has also been showcased at the Dean-Smith Gallery and Frame Smart Gallery.

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 (Departments, Parks & Leisure Services, Arts & Culture). 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.