Calendar of Events

Poets for Preservation is a forthcoming spring poetry series presented by Knox Heritage and eight local poets in April and May of 2014. Native Knoxville poets, most residing in the area for 30 years, will perform engaging works about history, home, and new beginnings in celebration of the opening of Historic Westwood at 3425 Kingston Pike. Poets will read in pairs on Saturdays at 3 p.m. in April and May as listed below. Refreshments will be served, and guests are welcome to look around the newly restored mansion after the readings.

April 12, 3 p.m.
Linda Parsons Marion and Laura Still

April 19, 3 p.m.
Marilyn Kallet and Keith Norris

May 10, 3pm
Donna Doyle and Rose Raney

May 24, 3 p.m.
Darren Jackson and Arthur Smith

Historic Westwood at 3425 Kingston Pike, Knoxville
865-523-8008, www.knoxheritage.org

Recipient of the 2014 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Artist of the Year Award, Andrea Wilson will have a solo exhibition in the Loggia Gallery at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts. The Opening Reception will be on Wednesday, April 16th from 5:30 to 7:00pm at Arrowmont in Gatlinburg. Everyone is invited to attend!

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

Artist Reception – Friday, April 11, 5:30-9 p.m.
We are pleased to present this show as a Dogwood Arts Featured Art Exhibit. Kathie Odom leaves the anatomy of her paintings exposed and allows light to diffuse translucently from the first wash to the thicker oils, showing different textures, birthing life. Subtle detailing coupled with loose brush strokes invite the viewer beneath into an aliveness not so apparent on the surface. Almost exclusively Kathie’s compositions are places where the possibility of life exists: barn, nest, field, dwelling, bud, shed…the vision of Home.

The District Gallery, 5113 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: Mon-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10-4. Information: 865-200-4452, www.TheDistrictGallery.com

By Nancy Gilsenan; Adapted from the novel by Judith Guest (1980 film adaptation won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture)

Conrad Jarrett had an older brother named Buck, and now Buck is gone. What's left of young Conrad's family, with his successful, well-intentioned father and his beautiful, organized and remote mother, is in terrible jeopardy, as is Conrad himself. They are all "ordinary people" and each is fighting a hard battle.

"The anxiety, despair and joy that is common to every human experience … if Conrad and his family are ordinary people, why then so are we all."
— The New York Times

Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sunday at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $10 plus fees for Thursday & Sunday performances and $15 plus fees for Friday & Saturday performances. If available, tickets will be sold at the door.

Theatre Knoxville Downtown has open seating. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to pick up your tickets and claim your seats. TKD reserves the right to seat walk-in patrons during the final 15 minutes prior to show time.

Tickets: 865-523-7521; www.KnoxTIX.com. Information: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com

April 09, 2014 THE URBAN WILDERNESS: Explore Ijams
April 10, 2014 CHILDREN’S PROGRAM: Stroller Stroll
April 10, 2014 SCIENCE CAFÉ: The Lunar Eclipse
April 11, 2014 THE URBAN WILDERNESS: Bouldering Hike
April 12, 2014 PUBLIC PROGRAM: Wagging Walk
April 12, 2014 PEG'S KITCHEN: Breakfast is Served
April 12, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 12, 2014 THE URBAN WILDERNESS: South Loop Piece-by-Piece
April 12, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 12, 2014 IJAMS GARDENING SERIES: Urban Gardening
April 12, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 15, 2014 IJAMS SOCIAL SERIES: Pink Moon Happy Hour
April 16, 2014 THE URBAN WILDERNESS: Explore Ijams
April 17, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Ijams @ The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
April 19, 2014 PEG'S KITCHEN: Breakfast is Served
April 19, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 19, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 19, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 19, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Family Drum Circle
April 23, 2014 THE URBAN WILDERNESS: Explore Ijams
April 24, 2014 CHILDREN’S PROGRAM: Stroller Stroll
April 26, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Spring Native Plant Sale
April 26, 2014 PEG'S KITCHEN: Breakfast is Served
April 26, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 26, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Ijams @ EarthFest
April 26, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Outdoor KnoxFest @ Ijams
April 26, 2014 ANIMAL PROGRAM: Ijams Creature Feature
April 27, 2014 SPECIAL EVENT: Outdoor KnoxFest @ Ijams
April 30, 2014 THE URBAN WILDERNESS: Explore Ijams

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

Explore more than 60 miles of trails, open gardens, and historic homes as you enjoy a walk, bike ride, or drive.

Most of the Festival’s wide range of arts events, performances, and exhibitions are offered to the public free of charge. Dogwood Arts Festival: 865-637-4561 www.dogwoodarts.com

Art in Public Places Knoxville is a monumental installation of large-scale outdoor sculptures by regionally and nationally acclaimed artists. The sculptures enliven downtown Knoxville as well as McGhee Tyson Airport.

Opening Reception: Friday, April 4, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Award Ceremony: Friday, April 4, 5:30 pm

We are honored to announce noted sculptor, Kenneth M. Thompson, as the Juror for the 2014-2015 exhibition!

Most of the Festival's wide range of arts events, performances, and exhibitions are offered to the public free of charge. Dogwood Arts: 865-637-4561 www.dogwoodarts.com

Civil War Historical river cruises in Knoxville, Tennessee

If you would like a relaxing and entertaining weekend on the river join us aboard TRACE 1. Bring your friends and guests to share this memorable experience with you. Learn the history of the area during the steamboat/Civil War era where you see the Armstrong Locket plantation home, Bleak house, Longstreet's Heights, Armstrong Hill, Fort Dickerson and many others. You will have an annotated map to help visualize the 1863 siege of Knoxville with Confederate and Union positions highlighted.

Your crew will be the 150 year old spirit old Sam Clemmons and Miss Drusilla. Sam has operated steamboats for many years and will entertain with the local Civil War history even if he never did pick a side.

Saturday gourmet sandwich lunch Civil War cruises, 12:00, 90 minutes, $26 adults and $20 children.
Second Sunday gourmet sandwich lunch cruise, 12:00, two hours, $32 adults and $26 children 5 to 11, see more sights.
Friday and Saturday Civil War cruise 3:00 and 5:15, 90 minutes, $18 adults and $14 children on-line or $20 and $16 at the gate
Sunday Civil War cruise 3:00 and 5:15, 90 minutes, $18 adults and $14 children 5 to 11 on-line or $20 and $16 at the gate
Prices above are for advanced on-line reservations.
If you have a copy of our narration booklet with you, you get a $2.00 discount for everyone in your party. You may purchase a copy at the Knoxville Visitor's Center or Knoxville History Center, both on Gay Street.

NavCal River Rides http://navcal.com/navcal/CWHistory.htm. 865-765-3407

Bliss Home is pleased to present Knoxville artist, Jane Nickels, for April's First Friday. Bliss Home, located at 29 Market Square, will host an opening reception on Friday, April 4th from 6pm to 9pm. Complimentary Steamboat Sandwiches will be provided and Jane's art will be featured for the month of April.

Jane's April exhibit will feature her Knot Perfect series which consists of paintings that explore a biomorphic interpretation of Celtic knots and overlapping pattern, color and line demanding an emotional response.

“Finally Spring” at the Plateau Arts Center
That is the theme for the annual spring show at the PCAC, and it couldn’t come at a better time! The Art Guild at Fairfield Glade invites you to view and vote on your favorite selection among the new works displayed for the first time at the Plateau Creative Arts Center (PCAC).

Come and view this high quality art presented in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pastels, colored pencil, photography, mixed media, pottery, sculpture, jewelry, and fabric. The theme of “Finally Spring” will be displayed starting on April 4. Voting will end on April 18. Ribbons will be awarded to the winners in the categories of People and Animals, Landscape, Floral, Still life, Sculpture and Mixed Media, and Showcase/Jewelry. Ribbon Awards will take place on Friday morning, April 25.

The PCAC is handicapped accessible and open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. M-Sat. Website: www.artguildfairfieldglade.net. Plateau Creative Arts Center, 451 Lakeview Drive, Fairfield Glade, TN.

Diana Scott-Auger of Greenback who paints in acrylics and Harriet Smith Howell of Rutledge who creates hand-painted wearable silk are the Art Market Gallery’s featured artists for April. Their recent works will be on exhibit at The Art Market Gallery through April 27, with an opening reception to be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, April 4, during the monthly First Friday Art Walk in downtown Knoxville. At the opening reception visitors may enjoy complimentary refreshments and live music performed by the Tennessee Valley Accidentals.

Besides the featured artists' exhibit, April is the month for the gallery's popular annual silent auction. This year it will be held April 1-27 with an even greater variety of works than before, and with a new option: a "Buy It Now" price, set at 80 percent of an artwork's retail cost, which allows a customer to pay for it and take it home immediately.

Owned and operated by more than 60 professional regional artists, the Art Market Gallery, at 422 S. Gay St., is a few doors from Mast General Store and next Downtown Grill & Brewery. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 865-525-5265, or visit artmarketgallery.net, or facebook.com/Art.Market.Gallery.

The last Wednesday of every month, 5:30-7:30PM, join friends of historic preservation for a drink and good conversation. Who knows what topics will be covered, but it's fun to gather together. No need to RSVP, just stop by The crown and Goose, 123 S. Central Street in the Old City.

Knox Heritage: 865-523-8008, www.knoxheritage.org