Calendar of Events

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present a new exhibition entitled “A Visual Experience” by Art Group 21, featuring original watercolor, oil, acrylic, pencil, pastel, mixed media, collage, and more by 21 local artists. The exhibition will be displayed in the main gallery of the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from August 1-30, 2014. A public reception will take place as part of First Friday activities on Friday, August 1, from 5:00-9:00 PM with complimentary hors d’oeuvres provided by Qdoba Mexican Grill and Jason’s Deli. The First Friday reception also features a flamenco dance performance by Pasión Flamenco from 6:00-6:45 PM and a Jazz Jam Session hosted by Vance Thompson and Friends from 7:00-9:00 PM, both in the Black Box Theatre.

Artists featured in the exhibition include: Mary Ann Aken, Paula Browning, Bonnie Cadotte, Lana Daverman, Genie Even, Pat Fitzgerald, Jean Gregory, Suzanne Jack, Barbara Johnson, Judy Jorden, Carol LaBudde, Elaine Marcel-Culbert, Ina Sue Marlin, Susan Miller, Brenda Mills, Emilia Pickett, Janice Pybas, Betsy Spooner, Fran Thie, and Sue B. Thomas.

“A Visual Experience” will be on display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street. Gallery 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 the Web site at www.knoxalliance.com.

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present a new exhibition of photography entitled “Opposites Attract” by local artists Tom Owens and Marianne Woodside. Inspiration for the exhibition grew out of conversations at the Golden Roast coffee shop on the UT campus. Over the past several years, Owens and Woodside have shared ideas about art, critiqued one another’s images, and marveled over the serendipity involved in photography. While their styles contrast, they appreciate the way the black & white, bold color, and texture all invite the viewer into various spaces and times. The exhibition will be displayed in the Balcony gallery of the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from August 1-30, 2014. A public reception will take place as part of First Friday activities on Friday, August 1, from 5:00-9:00 PM with complimentary hors d’oeuvres provided by The Melting Pot. The First Friday reception also features a flamenco dance performance by Pasión Flamenco from 6:00-6:45 PM and a Jazz Jam Session hosted by Vance Thompson and Friends from 7:00-9:00 PM, both in the Black Box Theatre.

Tom Owens lives in Knoxville and has been taking pictures for work and fun for more than 45 years. He became interested photography in 1968 while learning from a friend, Don Dudenbostel, who worked for the Daily Beacon. He began working at The University of Tennessee in 1985, and in 1999, he became Director of the Video and Photography Center which is part of the Office of Communications and Marketing. One aspect of his photography is the element of surprise involved with the work; you don’t know how things might turn out just looking in the viewfinder. The images in this exhibition mostly focus on patterns, reflections, textures and shadows in architecture and nature; with some pictures of interesting people. When not at work or out taking pictures, Owens enjoys hiking, reading, and running.

Marianne Woodside resides in Knoxville and teaches at the University of Tennessee in Counselor Education. She loves the outdoors; the natural beauty of East Tennessee provides inspiration for living in the moment and seeking a calm and peaceful approach to life. She translates this into her photography as she integrates light, shadows, reflections, color, and shapes to form digital images of both nature and the man-made in naturalistic and informal settings. The images range from the realistic to the abstract. Woodside shows and sells her work locally.

“Opposites Attract” will be on display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street. Gallery 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 the Web site at www.knoxalliance.com.

Enjoy a beautiful collection of festival posters in celebration of HoLa Festival's 15th year anniversary and make sure to say hello to the talented artists who created them.

HoLa Hora Latina, 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 109, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-335-3358, www.holaknoxville.org, www.holafestival.org

Join us at the Clayton Center for the Arts for weekend of extravagant performances!
Friday, August 1 - Sunday, August 3, 2014Friday Performances

7pm Foothills Community Players Presents
"A Midsummer Night's Dream"
7:30pm Athens Theatre presents
"Vanities"
8pm Word Player's presents
"Woman Called Truth"

Saturday Performances
11am Primary Players presents
"Unplugged"
1pm Foothills Community Players Presents
"A Midsummer Night's Dream"
2pm Word Player's presents
"Woman Called Truth"
3pm Athens Theatre presents
"Vanities"
7pm Theatre Knoxville presents
"Proof"
7:30pm Primary Players presents
"Unplugged"
8pm Footlight Productions presents
"Red Velvet Cake Wars"

Sunday Performances
1pm Primary Players presents
"Unplugged"
2pm Theatre Knoxville presents
"Proof"
2pm Footlight Productions presents
"Red Velvet Cake Wars"

There will be vendors joining the festivities so bring your appetite! Check our website and newsletters to get the latest updates!

For more information and to purchase tickets please call the Clayton Center Box Office at (865) 981-8590 or visit our website www.claytonartscenter.com

ACT takes Vanities to the Clayton Center in Maryville, TN. Starring Whitney Coe, Lindsey Kimball, and Lauren Brown Shepherd, Vanities explores the ups and downs of friendship between three small-town women. Funny and thought-provoking, Vanities is great entertainment for girls night out. For mature audiences. Tickets available in July.

Athens Area Council for the Arts: 320 North White Street, Athens, TN, 37303. Info: 423-745-8781, www.athensartscouncil.org

The WordPlayers Presents: "A Woman Called Truth" on Aug 1 @ 8:00 pm & Sat, Aug 2 @ 2:00 pm as part of the 4th Annual Theatre Festival at the Clayton Center for the arts, 502 East Lamar Alexander Pkwy., Maryville. For tickets, call 865.981.8590 or visit claytonartscenter.com. (Please use Promo Code: TRUTH when ordering tickets)

A Woman Called Truth, by Sandra Fenichel Asher, is a story of the life and achievements of Sojourner Truth. 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.

Tickets: Adults: $15, Students $12, Festival Pass: Adults: $40, Students: $25 (See as many shows as you like. Pass available only by calling the Box Office @ 865-981-8590)

The WordPlayers: Information: 865-539-2490, www.wordplayers.org

Gallery 1010 will be showing an exhibition of original prints produced by students from The National Academy of Fine Arts in Lviv, Ukraine. The prints in this portfolio address themes of pressure and resistance in relation to the social and political situation that has been unfolding in Ukraine over the last several months. The show consists of 58 original prints on paper in a variety of techniques that represent a diverse interpretation of the theme.

This exhibition was organized by James Boychuk-Hunter, a graduate student in printmaking at The University of Tennessee and Vasyl Kosiv, a Professor of Graphic Design at The National Academy of Fine Arts in Lviv.

The opening reception for this exhibition will be on Friday, August 1st from 6-9pm. In addition, the gallery will be open from 12- 4pm Saturday August 2nd.

For more information, contact James Boychuk-Hunter, jamespbhunter@gmail.com

Gallery 1010, 113 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: http://sunsite.utk.edu/gallery1010

Visit Knoxville is extremely excited to announce that there will be two USA Diving events that will take place right here at home! USA Diving AT&T National Diving Championships will take place at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center on the University of Tennessee campus. The Age Group & Junior National Championships will begin July 31- August 9, with the Senior Diving Championship following August 12-17.
The AT&T National Diving Championships is one of USA Diving's most prestigious events. Qualifications for the Junior Championship are based on placement at the Summer Junior Zone Championships or prequalifying according to performance in other competitions.
The senior qualifications for competition are based on overall performance in previous competitions and placement in U.S. National Preliminary Meets. There will be approximately 125 of the nation's top senior divers who will travel to compete for the 10 national's title for the AT&T National Diving Championship.

This event will be full of intense action that will surely be unforgettable. Come out and support the members of the USA Diving AT&T National Championships. For ticket pricing and schedule please go to www.usadiving.org .

What's the best way to describe Etta May? "Minnie Pearl with a migraine." To put it simply, when Etta May takes the stage, she is the reigning Queen of Southern Sass. She reflects "You know you're getting fat when you sit in the bathtub and the water in the toilet rises!"

Etta May won the prestigious American Comedy Awards: "Stand-Up Comic of the Year" and has appeared on Oprah, Comic Strip Live, MTV, and as a guest commentator on "CBS Sunday Morning."

Etta May headlines the most successful all female "Southern Fried Chicks Tour." Selling out theatres all over the country. Think Blue Collar Comedy Tour with better hair! Etta May is also a headline comic on CMT's "CMT Comedy Stage" which is the second highest rated show in CMT history. The success of the Comedy Stage franchise led to the production of the Southern Fried Chicks Comedy Tour special as the first comedy concert series for the national cable network. She was also the subject and first female comic ever on the biography show, "Comedy Club." She joins the elite comedy company of Ron White, Larry the Cable Guy, and Jeff Foxworthy, who are also featured in this series.

In addition to television, Etta May is a regular on the syndicated Bob & Tom Show and a regular on XM and Sirius Radio's comedy channels.

TICKET PRICES: $8 FOR GENERAL ADMISSION, $10 FOR PREFERRED SEATING ONLINE!
All tickets via phone or at the door are $2 more per ticket!
All tickets go up $2 on the day of the show.
View picture, web site link, and video at www.SideSplittersComedy.com

What's the best way to describe Etta May? "Minnie Pearl with a migraine." To put it simply, when Etta May takes the stage, she is the reigning Queen of Southern Sass. Etta May will take you on a redneck ride through the Deep South.

Etta May won the prestigious American Comedy Awards: "Stand-Up Comic of the Year" and has appeared on Oprah, Comic Strip Live, MTV, and as a guest commentator on "CBS Sunday Morning." Etta May headlines the most successful all female "Southern Fried Chicks Tour." In addition to television, Etta May is a regular on the syndicated Bob & Tom Show and a regular on XM and Sirius Radio's comedy channels.

TICKET PRICES: $8 FOR GENERAL ADMISSION, $10 FOR PREFERRED SEATS ONLINE!
All tickets via phone or at the door are $2 more per ticket!
All tickets go up $2 on the day of the show.
View picture, web site link, and video at www.SideSplittersComedy.com

The Tennessee Valley Fair will offer educational Lego™ workshops beginning July 29.
Events are free and open to all ages but geared towards children, Kindergarten through 8th grade. Participants will be introduced to the art of competitive Lego™ building and enjoy hands-on building opportunities, tutorials and more.

Karns Public Library
July 29 - 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. (2 Sessions)
7516 Oak Ridge Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37931

Fountain City Public Library
August 1 - 2:00 p.m.
5300 Stanton Rd., Knoxville, TN 37918

Bearden Public Library
August 4 - 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 pm (2 sessions)
100 Golf Club Road, Knoxville, TN 37919

Halls Public Library
August 6 - 2:00 p.m.
4518 East Emory Road, Knoxville, TN 37918

Cedar Bluff Public Library
August 16 - 10:00 a.m and 12:00 p.m. (2 Sessions)
9045 Cross Park Dr. Knoxville, TN 37923

Each workshop is hosted and presented by local educators, Beyond a Brick. Beyond a Brick™ is comprised of seasoned East Tennessee educators whose background in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) based education allows them to present a wide range of curriculum in a fun and engaging way.

Tennessee Valley Fair: 865-215-1471, www.tnvalleyfair.org

Art Exhibit at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church Gallery, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918. Free and open to the public. Opening reception July 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; artists’ talks at 6:30 p.m. Exhibit runs through August 2014.

+ Scherry Samuels | Samuels’ work is consistently cheerful and upbeat. Using vibrant color with particular attention to harmonies and color trails, she leads the viewer's eye through her paintings. Richness and saturation of color are vital to her work.

Samuels has a degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Six years ago she began pursuing her desire to paint with oils, and as her skill grew and her style developed, she began showing her work. She had a large solo show in Maryland. She now lives in Knoxville and is a member of the Knoxville Arts and Cultural Alliance. Some of her work is currently on display in the Mayor's office.

+ Kelly Hider | This series is about the possible presence of supernatural entities, both alien and deceased, and conversely the possibility of spiritual, fateful forces discussed in various theologies.

Influenced by the work of many contemporary artists who stage photographs, religious iconography, and even television shows from pop culture such as Star Trek and the X-Files, this cinematic work takes place in natural settings, places for contemplation as well as vulnerability.

Hider received her BFA from SUNY Brockport in 2007 and an MFA from the University of Tennessee in 2011. She has had solo exhibitions at the University of Rochester and at SUNY Brockport in Rochester, NY, The Ewing Gallery and Gallery 1010 in Knoxville, TN, and the Blackberry Farm Gallery at the Clayton Arts Center in Maryville, TN. Hider recently participated in group exhibitions at the Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh, NC, the St. Louis Artist Guild, St. Louis, MO, and Ground Floor Gallery in Nashville, TN. She also had an artist residency at MadOnArts in France. She currently teaches art history and studio courses at Walters State Community College and at Pellissippi State Community College. She is a founding member of the Vacuum Shop Studios.