Calendar of Events

With Contemporary Focus artist Jean Hess. Jean Hess produces intricate collages made up of fragments culled from topographical charts, children's writings, and the natural landscape.

Participants may bring lunch or call Krishna Adams at 865.934.2037 in advance (March 17 deadline) to order lunch from the Lunchbox. The cost for lunch is $10.00 (cash only, please).

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM; Sunday, 1-5PM. Information: 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org

Sometimes it seems as though the food industry wants us to gain weight and have heart attacks. Join Mary Pom Claiborne, the Marketing and Community Relations Director for the Knox County Public Library, for a discussion of Salt, Sugar, Fat: How the food giants hooked us by Michael Moss in Knox County Public Library’s Book Sandwiched In lunch and learn program, Wednesday, March 19, 12:00 p.m. in the East Tennessee History Center auditorium, at 601 South Gay Street.

Every year, despite numerous dietary recommendations and health warnings, the average American eats thirty-three pounds of cheese and seventy pounds of sugar. Every day, we ingest 8,500 milligrams of salt, double the recommended amount, almost none of which comes from the shakers on our table. It comes from processed food, an industry that hauls in $1 trillion in annual sales. In Salt, Sugar, Fat, Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative reporter Michael Moss shows how we ended up here.

Moss takes us into labs where scientists calculate the “bliss point” of sugary beverages, unearths marketing techniques taken straight from tobacco company playbooks, and talks to concerned insiders who make startling confessions. Just as millions of “heavy users” are addicted to salt, sugar, and fat, so too are the companies that peddle them. You will never look at a nutrition label the same way again.

The public is invited to join the conversation. Bring your favorite sandwich or pick up something from a downtown restaurant. Copies of the books are available at the Library if you'd like to read one before the program.

(Extended gallery hours: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.)
Coordinated by our Video Production Technology instructors, this exhibit brings the works of the area’s most talented college, high school and middle school media students to the Bagwell Gallery. Join us for the award ceremony on March 19 at 7:00 p.m.

Bagwell Center Gallery Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Pellissippi State: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Information: 865-694-6405, www.pstcc.edu/arts

East Tennessee Baskets, 1880-1940

Imagine doing away with plastic shopping bags, buckets, and storage tubs and depending instead upon wood baskets. The essential role these hand-woven containers played in bygone days would soon be realized. During the past year, ETHS has worked to document the traditional baskets of our region, including family stories and photographs when the maker's identity is known. Woven of Wood highlights selected examples from this survey and illustrates how East TN baskets were some of the most functional and creative possessions in everyday life.

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Museum hours: Monday-Friday: 9AM-4PM; Saturday: 10AM-4PM; Sunday: 1-5PM. Information: 865-215-8824, www.easttnhistory.org

Every AMSE visitor Saves $1.00 Off Regular AMSE Admission. Visitors to AMSE can explore the WWII Manhattan Project history creating the 1940's secret city of Oak Ridge and the science that evolved. Do experiments and discover more about basic science and energy sources. Enjoy the live demonstrations with audience participation. Extend history and science with the purchase of an educational souvenir from the Discovery Shop. Family fun.

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

As part of the 15th Annual NEW PLAY FESTIVAL - Staged Readings of two new scripts Birds On The Bat by Craig Smith, and I Am The Way by Scott Strahan. All staged readings are free to the public.

I Am The Way Saturday, March 15, 2:00 pm
Birds On The Bat Saturday, March. 22, 2:00 pm at Theatre Knoxville Downtown

I AM THE WAY - By Scott Strahan
When does belief become obsession? And can we survive the transition?

BIRDS ON THE BAT - By Craig Smith
Carolyn Corley directs this moving play that asks the question, "Is small town life really smaller than life in the big city?" Meet the playwright and give him your thoughts about Birds On The Bat.

At Theatre Knoxville Downtown 319 N. Gay Street. Info: Tennessee Stage Company: 865-546-4280, www.tennesseestage.com

The Appalachian Arts Craft Center in Norris will hold its Spring Porch Sale starting Thursday, March 13, and running for about two weeks. The Porch Sale, held each Spring and Fall, features marked down stock, seconds, student crafts and unjuried work by members of the Craft Center. It’s an excellent time to get great deals. Baked goods will also be available for purchase.

The Appalachian Arts Craft Center is a nonprofit center that has been fulfilling its mission by promoting traditional artists and crafts in the East Tennessee area for over 40 years. The center is located at 2716 Andersonville Highway 61 in Norris, Tenn., one mile east of I-75 north at Exit 122. For more information, call 865-494-9854, or visit our web site, www.appalachianarts.net.

Historic Ramsey House and the Knoxville Holston’s Vintage Baseball team will be hosting an exhibit of Vintage Baseball items from the collection of Tracy Martin. Tracy is a lifelong collector of vintage items and has been playing in a vintage league in Ohio for 20 years. Come and visit this unique display and help us celebrate the opening of Tennessee’s Vintage Baseball League on April 12. The exhibit will be located in the Visitor Center at Ramsey House during regular business hours.

2614 Thorngrove Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914. Information: 865-546-0745, www.ramseyhouse.org

March 11, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Mature Oak-Hickory Forest Tour
March 11, 2014 SCIENCE CAFÉ: Subglacial Lakes of Antarctica
March 11, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: River Sports Outfitters Group Run
March 12, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Homesite History Hike
March 12, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Increase Your Mileage (~2 miles)
March 12, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Yoga with Leslie Wagner
March 13, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Little Tykes Hike
March 14, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Luck O’ the Ijams
March 15, 2014 PUBLIC PROGRAM: Wagging Walk
March 15, 2014 PEG’S KITCHEN: Breakfast is Served
March 15, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
March 15, 2014 TN Naturalist Program
March 15, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
March 15, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
March 15, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Family Drum Circle
March 16, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Celebrity Hike with Red Hickey
March 16, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Woodland Creature Dress-up Hike
March 16, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Celebrity Hike with Ed McAlister
March 17, 2014 - March 21, 2014 NATURE DAY CAMP: Spring Break Camp
March 17, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Discovery Hike
March 18, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Stroller Stroll
March 18, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Fun Run with River Sports Outfitters
March 19, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Increase Your Mileage (~3 miles)
March 19, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Yoga with Leslie Wagner
March 20, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Ijams Wildflower Hike
March 20, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Little Tykes Hike
March 21, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Bouldering Hike
March 22, 2014 IJAMS BIRDING SERIES: Spring Birding Hike
March 22, 2014 CHILDREN'S PROGRAM: Ijams Superhero Academy
March 22, 2014 PEG’S KITCHEN: Breakfast is Served
March 22, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
March 22, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Mountain Bike Meet-up
March 22, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Relax with a Massage
March 22, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
March 22, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Celebrity Hike with Sam Venable
March 22, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
March 24, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Discovery Hike
March 25, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Chaos in Nature Hike
March 25, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: River Sports Outfitters Group Run
March 26, 2014 PUBLIC PROGRAM: Wagging Walk
March 26, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Increase Your Mileage (~4 miles)
March 27, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Little Tykes Hike
March 27, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Tharp Trace Trek
March 28, 2014 IJAMS FAMILY WILDLIFE SERIES: Night Sounds
March 29, 2014 PEG’S KITCHEN: Breakfast is Served
March 29, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
March 29, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
March 29, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Cedar Barrens Hike
March 29, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
March 29, 2014 IJAMS GARDENING SERIES: Wildflower Hike
March 29, 2014 HIKE-A-THON: Hiker's Ball!

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

The Athens Area Council for the Arts announces the annual High School Art Show showcasing art from McMinn county high school students. The work can be viewed at The Arts Center, 320 North White Street, Athens, Tennessee. The goal of this show is to promote art by local high school students and to provide them with an opportunity to participate in an open art exhibit. The Visual Arts Committee of AACA will sponsor a gift certificate for art supplies as a “Best in Show” prize. The show features over forty pieces in a variety of media from pencil to printmaking and papier mâché. The opening reception is Friday, March 14 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. The reception will include light refreshments and is free and open to the public. Evening with the Stars, AACA’s annual event featuring local performing talent, starts immediately after at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students.

For more information, go to www.athensartscouncil.org, call 423-745-8781, or stop by The Arts Center at 320 North White Street in Athens, TN.

Blount Mansion is proud to host the works of East Tennessee’s own Richard LeFevre. He focuses on the history of the American Civil War (1861 – 1865) through 32 of its most significant battles. LeFevre combined his love of history and his skill as an illustrator, using inventive mixed-media techniques to create powerful images inspired by his personal investigation into that most terrible and definitive era. As part of the First Friday’s the opening reception will be from 5:00 to 7:30 on Friday March 7th here at the Blount Mansion Visitors Center at 200 West Hill Avenue in Knoxville. There will be drinks and light refreshments available. It is a free event and all are welcome. The exhibition is on loan from Ewing Gallery of Art and Architecture, University of Tennessee, and is supported through the Tennessee Arts Commission & Knox County Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. www.knoxcivilwar.org and will run through the end of May 2014. More information is available at our Facebook page, facebook.com/blountmansion

Blount Mansion Visitors Center, 200 West Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902; 865-525-2375 or www.blountmansion.org

Free and open to the public. Opening reception March 7 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; artists’ talks at 6:30 p.m. Exhibit runs March through April 2014.

Terri Swaggerty: Where Soul Meets Body (from the song “Soul Meets Body” by Death Cab for Cutie)
Where soul meets body . . . the first time I heard those words on the radio they resonated deep within my being. I realized those four words were the perfect articulation of where I exist when I am discovering or creating art. I can dwell there for hours, or just for a moment. The journey begins with looking and seeing. Sometimes I am actively looking for art but more often, not. I find art, or maybe it finds me, at any moment any day. Traversing a sidewalk in Apalachicola, or strolling through our city, I discover it. Driving down a country road I find it. Walking through the woods, looking at the beauty, the contrast, the compositions, textures and patterns around me, I am living there . . . where soul meets body. Often during my creative processes the tangible becomes abstract. Sometimes the colors begin to blaze and complement and breathe new life into old structures. And sometimes the magic is already there and the image is perfect for the beholding. Terri Swaggerty is a native of Knoxville, TN. She studied Fine Art at the University of Tennessee and has worked as a professional photographer for the past 16 years.

Christine Beard: The Nature of Graphite
I am a pencil artist. I have been drawing my whole life. During my school years and growing up I took every art class that was offered. As an adult I took several drawing courses at the local community colleges, but for the most part I would have to say I am a self-taught artist, always learning new and different things every time I create a new drawing. Graphite pencil is my medium of choice. It’s all about the detail for me; I create each piece with as much detail as possible. Graphite is such a versatile medium and can also be very forgiving. Various techniques can be executed with graphite, such as layering, shading, blending with blending stumps and lifting out areas with an eraser. In the art world I feel there can and should be more recognition for works done with graphite pencil. Hopefully I can change that with each and every graphite drawing I create.

Where: Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church Gallery
2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918