Calendar of Events

Where: Bliss Home 29 Market Square Knoxville, TN 37902
When: Friday, December 5th, 2014 through the end of the month.
Opening Reception: Friday, December 5th, 2014 6pm to 9pm
Admission: Free

Facebook: Bliss Home • Stacey Fletcher

Artist's Website: www.staceyfletcher.com

Bliss Home is pleased to present the latest works by Knoxville artist, Stacey Fletcher, for December's First Friday. Bliss Home, located at 29 Market Square, will host an opening reception on Friday, December 5th from 6pm to 9pm. Complimentary Steamboat Sandwiches will be provided and Stacey's art will be featured for the month of December.

Stacey Fletcher received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting and Drawing from The University of Tennessee in 2003, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Valdosta State University in 2000. She has exhibited nationally and internationally in many individual, group, and juried exhibitions. This includes being awarded the honor of participating in the 2005 Pienkow International Artist Workshop in Poland. Stacey has taught for The University of Tennessee since 2000 as a graduate assistant, an assistant professor, as well as through the personal and professional extended education program. She lives, paints, and teaches in Knoxville, TN.

As a cathartic painter, Stacey’s work expresses emotions and frustrations that would otherwise be hard to express verbally. They seem abstract at first glace to the viewer, but have some sense of childhood imagery disguised among the colorful layers. Her work is fresh with vibrant lively colors, with layered metaphors of herself and others contrasted with the chaotic approach of the energetic marks.

The District Gallery presents: Chasing Light: New Works by Kathie Odom
December 5-30, 2014
Opening Reception: Friday, December 5, 5-8 p.m.
The District Gallery is pleased to present Chasing Light: New Works by Kathie Odom. For her second solo show at The District Gallery, Odom has created a collection of work fitting for the season. A true impressionist, she follows in the plein-air (in the open air) painting tradition dating back to the seventeenth century.

Chasing Light showcases Odom’s ability to see an ever-changing nature and preserve meaningful details in time and space – to create a mood. Her works are timeless interpretations of the atmosphere, light and story in the landscape around her. Odom leaves the anatomy of her work exposed and allows light to diffuse translucently from the first wash to the thicker oils, revealing different layers and textures. Subtle detailing coupled with loose brush strokes invite the viewer beneath into an aliveness not so apparent on the surface.
According to Odom, “plein-air painters feel like they are chasing the light. When I walk upon a beautiful landscape to paint where the light is perfect, I have to rely upon my memory to paint that moment, because the light changes so fast… At times, on a day full of clouds, there are awesome moments when the sun peeks through the clouds and onto the land. Although quite difficult to capture that moment on canvas, sometimes magic happens.”

Join us for a Holiday Open House and opening reception for Chasing Light on Friday, December 5 from 5-8 p.m. Meet the artist, enjoy holiday cuisine from Gourmet’s Market, and live music by Michael Whitesides.
Chasing Light is on display in the gallery through December 30.

An opening reception for the Art Market Gallery’s December featured artists, painter Marjorie Horne and wood turner Nelson Ziegler, will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m., Dec. 5, during Downtown Knoxville’s monthly First Friday Art Walk, with complimentary refreshments and Christmas and classical music performed by cellists Carla and Bethany Brown.

Marjorie Spalding Horne, of Knoxville, a signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America in both colored pencil and mixed media, has had many solo shows and purchase and merit awards.
Nelson Ziegler, of Sevierville, has been wood turning for 20 years, although he has worked in the medium his entire life and is a longtime member of The American Association of Wood Turners.

The featured artists’ exhibit will run through Dec. 28. In addition, sales of selected works by other gallery artists will benefit The Community School of the Arts during December.

Owned and operated by 62 professional regional artists, the Art Market Gallery, at 422 South Gay St., is a few doors from Mast General Store and next to Downtown Grill & Brewery. December hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday. The gallery is wheelchair accessible, and parking in nearby public garages and on the street is free on weekends and after 6 p.m. weekdays. For more information, call 865-525-5265, or visit artmarketgallery.net, or facebook.com/Art.Market.Gallery.

The painting class with cocktails!

Friday, 12/5 - 6pm
Einstein Brothers Bagels
"Cuppa Knoxville"

Monday, 12/8 - 6pm
Blue Coast Grill
"Local Brew"

Tuesday, 12/9 - 6pm
Mimi's Cafe
"Red Ornament"

Saturday, 12/13 - 1pm
Blue Slip Winery
"Ornament Painting"

Monday, 12/15 - 6pm
Surin of Thailand
"Winter Spirits"

Wednesday, 12/17 - 6pm
Doc's All American Grille
"Funky Flower"

Thursday, 12/18 - 6pm
Blue Slip Winery
"Evergreens"

Monday, 12/22 - 6pm
Crown and Goose
"A Touch of Winter"

Saturday, 12/27 - 7pm
Original Copper Cellar
"SunMoonRise"

Wine & Canvas: Knoxville, TN, 865-356-9179, http://www.wineandcanvas.com/knoxville-tn.html

The Arts & Culture Alliance proudly presents its 2014 Members Show, the largest annual exhibition of local artists in the Greater Knoxville area. The fresh mix of two- and three-dimensional works created within the last two years encompasses a wide variety of media such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, mixed media, photography, fine craft, sculpture, ceramics, fiber, and more from regional artists who are all members of the Arts & Culture Alliance, which serves and supports a diverse community of artists, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. Membership is open to all, and information may be found at www.knoxalliance.com/join.html. Most of the works in the 2014 Members Show are for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition.

The exhibition will be on display in both galleries of the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville from December 5-23, 2014, and an opening reception will take place as part of First Friday activities on December 5 from 5:00-9:00 PM with a salsa bar provided by Qdoba and chocolate fondue by the Melting Pot of Knoxville. The First Friday reception features music by Pistol Creek Catch of the Day, a demonstration of two hand-built robots, Pablo and Bumblebee, by Knox Makers, and music and dance performances by Pasión Flamenca in the Black Box Theatre.

Gallery hours for the 2014 Members Show are Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Additional special hours are posted at www.theemporiumcenter.com/visit.html. Please note, the Emporium will be closed December 24 – January 1 for the holidays, reopening on Friday, January 2. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543 or visit www.knoxalliance.com.

Barbara Robinson's book, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," is a holiday favorite of kids around the world. Having sold over 800,000 copies worldwide, KCT's production will tell the story of Imogene, Claude, Ralph, Leroy, Ollie, and Gladys, six delinquent children surnamed Herdman who engage in extremely unruly behavior. They go to church for the first time after being told that the church offers snacks. Despite protests from other church members, they are given roles in the Sunday School's Christmas play, in which they tell the traditional Christmas story in a most unconventional manner!

The play will be performed December 5 through 21, Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 & 5 PM, and Sundays at 3 PM. Ashlee Latimer will direct the play.

Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-208-3677, www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com. Reservations: www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com/tickets

We will be celebrating handcrafted gifts with gallery demonstrations featuring art dolls, textiles, wood carving, print making and weaving during our Holiday Marketplace, Dec. 5 - 16. Join us as we also celebrate our Fifteenth Annual Jewelry Focus throughout December. Choose from our fine selection of premier jewelry designs from artists of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

Arrowcraft Shop, 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-4604, www.southernhighlandguild.org/pages/guild-shops/arrowcraft.php

Back by popular demand! Athens Area Council for the Arts presents a Jazzy Little Christmas, December 5 & 6 at 7:30pm | December 7 at 2:00pm

Led by the fabulous Pam Thigpen, and accompanied by the Joe Littleton Holiday Band, these local performers share their musical gifts and heart-felt tidings of joy in this annual holiday season cabaret.

Tickets: $15/adult | $12/student
Reserve your seats today; tickets to this annual favorite sell out fast!
http://athensartscouncil.org/events/jazzy-little-christmas-2/

The Athens Area Council for the Arts announces the return of the perennial favorite holiday event for three performances. Jazzy Little Christmas IX opens Friday December 5 and runs through Sunday, December 7 in the Sue E. Trotter Theater at The Arts Center. “Jazzy” is perfect for music lovers looking for an exciting kick-off to the holiday season. Directed by Pam Thigpen, the evening features local musicians singing and playing their favorite Christmas tunes cabaret-style with an emphasis on fun, inspiration, and holiday cheer. Light hors d’oeuvres, homemade desserts, and a cash bar available at 7:00 pm (1:30 pm for Sunday matinee). The show begins at 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday and 2:00 pm on Sunday.

Veteran voices in the ensemble include: Lauren Brown Shepherd, Jen Nunley, Whitney Kimball Coe, Liz Schreck, Christina Sjoberg, Janet Martin, Ellen, Art, Lindsey, and Andrew Kimball, Matt Dannel, Rusty Patterson, Tim Frazier, and Josh Bragg. They are joined by newcomer, TWC music business major, CJ Garrett, and accompanied by the Joe Littleton Holiday Band. Advance reservations are required; tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students. Make reservations by phone at 423-745-8781 or in person at The Arts Center at 320 North White Street in downtown Athens, Tennessee.

Jazzy is just one of the fun-filled events the community can enjoy this holiday season. November 20-22 is the Holiday Trunk Show, AACA’s 6th annual sale of fine arts and crafts by regional artisans. The community is invited to Shop early. Shop local. The Preview Party starts at 6:30pm on November 20, and is $5 or a donation of non-perishable food. November 21 & 22 are free and open to the public. December 13 is a chance for supporters of arts in schools to don tacky sweaters at AACA’s 2nd annual “Eat Drink, & Be Tacky” Holiday sweater party, which is a fundraiser for arts in education programming. Tickets are $15 and include finger foods, desserts, and an open bar. The fun starts at 8:00 pm.

December 5 will mark the opening night of the southern premiere by local playwright Lisa Soland. The renovated theatre in Loudon is home to the Lyric Theatre Company and they are producing Ms. Soland’s play THE CHRISTMAS TREE ANGEL RADIO DRAMA, which was adapted from this playwright’s first children’s book.

The story is about an angel ornament that is given as a gift on Christmas Eve. Once placed on the tree, the angel meets new friends who share the news of what will become of them when Christmas is over. Determined to escape the dreaded storage box, the angel and the soldier work together on an idea that just might bring them the freedom and purpose they desire.

Actor Bill Landry of The Heartland Series will be performing the role of the narrator, Dec. 5 at 8 pm and again on Dec. 6 at 2 pm. Humorist Sam Venable of the Knoxville Sentinel, will be recreating the same role for the Dec. 6 performance at 8 pm and again for the closing performance, Dec. 7 at 2 pm.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE ANGEL RADIO DRAMA opens at the Lyric Theatre in Loudon Dec. 5 at 8 pm and plays Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm, and closes after the Sunday 2 pm performance on Dec. 7. Tickets are $10 and are available at www.lyrictheatrecompany.org/tickets, or prior to performances at the Lyric Theatre box office (320 Grove Street in historic downtown Loudon). Seating is limited, so make sure to purchase your tickets early. This production is made possible by presenting sponsor, The Incredible Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, and supporting sponsor, Wampler’s Farm Sausage.

The American Poultry Association's National Poultry Show will be held at Chilhowee Park, December 5th - 7th. Hundreds of different types of chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys will flock to the Jacob Building for the event.

The judging will begin at 9am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday with the winners being announced Sunday afternoon. This is the first A.P.A. National in the state of Tennessee.

Louis E. Buck from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture will be in attendance. Buck is working to implement a strategic plan for rural Tennessee, agribusiness development and biofuels. Also giving a lecture about Heritage Breeds is P. Allen Smith, an award-winning designer, gardening and lifestyle expert.

To learn more about the American Poultry Association visit their website www.amerpoultryassn.com

SISTER ACT is Broadway's feel-amazing musical comedy smash! The New York Post calls it "RIDICULOUSLY FUN,” and audiences are jumping to their feet in total agreement! Featuring original music by 8-time Oscar winner ALAN MENKEN (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), SISTER ACT tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look—a convent! Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, SISTER ACT is reason to REJOICE!

Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com, www.ticketmaster.com