Calendar of Events

Free and open to the public - Opening reception January 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; artists’ talks at 6:30 p.m.

Claudia Dean - I Live in Knoxville Now
Through her watercolors, Dean tries to express Knoxville through images of its places. She begins with a photograph, which allows her to isolate and formalize the image before she draws. The photographs are "snapshots" of places that resonate for her and she wants to express the feeling of intimacy and significance in the image. She acknowledges her love of craft and repetition in the quilt pieces, which are intended to convey feeling or emotion in a more musical way than the representational images. She carries over discoveries and lessons learned in each type of work to the other. Dean was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and studied painting and printmaking at Kansas City Art Institute. She was a craft jeweler in Albuquerque for many years, selling work in craft galleries in the southwest and California. In 2003 Dean moved to Knoxville with her family and returned to two-dimensional artwork.

Mark Evans - En Plein Aire
Evans has always enjoyed taking pictures in national parks, and he likes to bring joy and beauty to the viewer. He entitled this show “En Plein Aire” because just as the invention of oil paints in tubes allowed people to work outdoors in the countryside and get the images they wanted, digital photography has allowed Evans to create the images he wants. He started taking photographs as a child with his father’s old camera. He shot black and white film and did his own darkroom work because he couldn’t afford color slide film. What he really liked was slide shows of people’s trips. Eventually he could afford slide film and he hasn’t been in a darkroom since. He’s been doing digital photography for five years. eBooks of Evans’ national park pictures can be found at marksparks.us.

Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Gallery hours: Monday-Thursday 9AM-5PM, Friday 9AM-4:30PM, Sunday 9AM-1PM. Information: 865-523-4176, www.tvuuc.org

The Fountain City Art Center's 4th Annual Theme show, open to all artists, will be on display January 16 through February 13. The opening reception will be January 16, from 6:30-8:00PM. Theme: East Tennessee Treasures.

213 Hotel Rd, Knoxville, TN 37918
(865) 357-2787, www.fountaincityartctr.com

Elasticity

Crystal Wagner invites us to “fast forward to 2050, where plastic grows by itself!” for a viewing of her one-of-a-kind art. This exhibit explores the space between the plastic, artificial environment of everyday experiences with man-made materials, consumerism, and technology and the exotic landscapes that occupy the surface of our earth.
Wagner illustrates the increasingly severe divide between humans and the natural world through her pieces, which “grow” like life forms through the gallery.

January 15-February 6, Reception: Thursday, Feb. 5, 4-7 P.M.
Bagwell Center for Media and Art
Pellissippi State Community College
10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville 37933
www.pstcc.edu/arts

This exhibition features the photographic and video work of 19 undergraduate UT alumni and students of Baldwin Lee. Professor Lee retired this year after a 30 year teaching career at UT. During his tenure, Professor Lee introduced countless students to photography. Although he was an inspiration for many, nineteen former students have been invited to participate in this celebratory exhibition titled Compound Lens. From Constance Thalken who studied with Lee in the mid 1980’s, to Jonathan Bagby who graduated from UT in 2009, and to Hei Park who continued to study with Lee until his retirement, all of Compound Lens participants were undergraduate students. All remain active artists who reside and work in different regions of the United States, from New York to California, from Texas to Georgia, and across Tennessee.
Artists featured in Compound Lens are:

Christopher Miner
Matt Ducklo
Constance Thalken
Bradly Dever Treadaway
Wardell Milan
Sarah Martin
Jonathan Bagby
Tuni Chatterji
Cip Contreras
Denny Renshaw
Marlo Pascual
Jack Parker
Phillip Carpenter
Erin Leland
Neely Crihfield Hyde
Banner Gwin
Rebecca Finley
Hei Park
Shelly O'Barr

Ewing Gallery, 1715 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: 865-974-3200, www.ewing-gallery.utk.edu

The Arts Council of Roane County (ACRC) announced that its 2015 Roane Open Art Show will hold its official opening January 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the O'Brien Art Gallery on the campus of Roane State Community College. In previews since January 8, the exhibit features nearly 20 local artists displaying paintings, sculptures, photographs, pottery, mixed media works, and short films. In a departure from previous ACRC art shows, which ran for just a single weekend, this year’s exhibition will be in place through February 28. Admission is free.

The show will feature short documentary films by Lenoir City filmmaker Jesse Brass, each of which features the work of one artist and provides a glimpse into their passions, motivations, and processes.

The Grand Opening of the show is open to the public. Many of the artists with works on display will be on hand for the event and awards will be presented to the best works in several categories as judged by Roane State Art Department Associate Professor Stacy Jacobs.

Subsequent to the opening, the public is invited to check the Event page of the ACRC website at ArtsCouncilRC.org for gallery hours. Specially scheduled visits can be arranged for groups of five or more by emailing artscouncilofroanecounty@gmail.com at least one week in advance. The ACRC particularly encourages art teachers in Roane County Schools to consider class trips to the gallery.

O’Brien Art Gallery, Roane State Community College, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN, 37748. Information: www.roanestate.edu/art/gallery

Arts Council of Roane County: artscouncilofroanecounty@gmail.com

The Oak Ridge International Folk Dancers meet on Wednesday evenings throughout the year to learn and enjoy folk dances from many countries around the world. The group was started over fifty years ago when the city of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was first developed during World War II. Our dancers come from Oak Ridge, Knoxville and nearby towns. Visitors are always welcome. We do dances from the following countries and more: Romania, Bulgaria, England, Scotland, France, Hungary, Sweden, Norway, Ukraine, China, Israel, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Russia, Mexico, Slovenia, Armenia, South Africa, Turkey, and Japan. Paul Taylor and other folk dancers in the group teach dances early in the evening; then we do request dancing.

At the Claxton Community Center near Oak Ridge and Knoxville. Info: www.OakRidgeFolkDancers.org or https://www.facebook.com/orfolkdancers

The Salvage Shop is a program of Knox Heritage, accepting donated historic building materials to prevent these valuable items from going to the landfill. These items are re-sold to benefit Knox Heritage. All donations are tax-deductible.

619 Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. Shop Hours: Wed-Fri 12-5pm, Sat 10am - 3pm. Information: 865-523-8008, www.knoxheritage.org

Historic Westwood was built as a “wedding promise” in 1890 by John Edwin Lutz and his wife, Ann Adelia Armstrong Lutz, on property owned by her grandfather, Drury P. Armstrong. The couple moved into the Queen Anne Victorian mansion from Adelia’s parents’ home, Bleak House, a short distance away on Kingston Pike. The Lutzes’ home, designed by notable architects Baumann Brothers, was constructed of brick and stone with a slate roof in the grand Richardsonian Romanesque style popular in the late 19th century and originally was surrounded by 12 acres. Four generations of the same family lived in the house between 1890 and 2012. The distinctive serpentine wall was constructed in 1933 for the wedding reception of Cecil Holloway, Adelia and John’s granddaughter, to Albert Matheny II, who were married at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral.

Tours: Monday-Thursday, 10am-4pm or by appointment
Info: 865-523-8008, 3425 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. http://historicwestwood.org

Ramsey House was built in 1797 by Knoxville’s first builder, Thomas Hope, for Francis Alexander Ramsey. The structure is significant for original interior and exterior architectural features and its period decorative art collection. The Ramsey Family was one of the first families to settle the Knoxville area. They played vital roles in developing civic, educational and cultural institutions. Colonel Francis A. Ramsey was one of the founding trustees of Blount College, now the University of Tennessee. One of his sons, Dr. J.G.M. Ramsey authored an early history of the state, The Annals of Tennessee. Another son, William B.A. Ramsey, was the first elected mayor of Knoxville.

Tours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm (last tour at 3:00pm)
Info: 865-546-0745, 2614 Thorngrove Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914. www.ramseyhouse.org

The Mabry-Hazen House Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located on six acres atop Mabry’s Hill in Knoxville,TN. Built in 1858 and housing three generations of the same family from 1858-1987, the Mabry-Hazen House served as headquarters for both Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War. This stately, elegant home of the Victorian and Civil War periods showcases one of the largest original family collection in America. Containing original artifacts including china, silver, crystal, and antique furnishings, this home is a rare view into the past. The Civil War, a gunfight on Gay Street in 1882, and a Breach of Promise lawsuit in the early 1930’s are only a few stories that bring life and color to those who visit the museum.

Tours: Monday-Friday: 11am – 5pm; Saturday: 10am – 3pm (or by appointment)
Info: 865-522-8661, 1711 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915. www.mabryhazen.com

Located on Bethel Avenue and down the road from the Mabry-Hazen House, the Bethel Cemetery contains more than 1,600 Confederate dead, including roughly one hundred who were killed in the battle of Fort Sanders. In addition, around 50 “Union Men” and 20 Civil War veterans are interred here. The monument to the Confederate dead was erected by the Ladies Memorial Association and was unveiled on May 19, 1892. The cemetery was cared for and maintained by the Winstead family from 1886-1989. The last family descendent and caretaker, Miss Mamie Winstead, willed the cemetery to the Hazen Historical Museum Foundation in 1989. Meeting her wishes, the Foundation recently opened a small museum which details the history of the cemetery as it pertains to the Civil War in Knoxville.

Tours: Saturday: 10am-3pm or by appointment
Info: 865-522-8661, 1917 Bethel Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915.

Marble Springs State Historic Site is the last remaining home of John Sevier. Born in Virginia in 1745, John Sevier made a name for himself as a Revolutionary War Hero during the Battle of Kings Mountain (1780), a key player & Governor of the short-lived State of Franklin (1784-1788), and ultimately was elected to serve as the first Governor of the State of Tennessee (1796). Marble Springs was the approximate 350 acre farm that Sevier lived on from 1801-1815, the last years of his life. Sevier named his farm Marble Springs because of the Tennessee Rose Marble that was quarried on site and the natural springs that flowed on the property. While visiting Marble Springs, you will have the opportunity to tour several historic structures that are designed to represent various aspects of John Sevier’s life & times. These structures include: The Tavern, The Loom House, The Smoke House, The Spring House & the John Sevier Cabin and detached kitchen.

Tours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, 12:00pm to 5:00pm (or by appointment)
Info: 865-573-5508, 1220 West Gov. John Sevier Highway Knoxville, TN 37920. www.marblesprings.net

James White, The Founder of Knoxville, came here in 1783 from North Carolina. Having served as a Captain in the Revolutionary War he was given a land grant of 1,000 acres for his service and here he built his two story log house in 1786. Two years later he enclosed the house and outbuildings with a stockade fence for protection from marauding Indians and the wild animals. James White was a friend to the Cherokee Indians and he assisted in the negotiation of several of their treaties with the settlers. The area surrounding the Fort would have been cleared of trees and in their place were gardens along with orchards and fields of corn and tobacco mostly for White’s family and slaves use. In October 1791, James White laid off part of his land to establish the town of Knoxville, named for Henry Knox, Secretary of War under President Washington’s. The town at first was the Capital of the Territory South of the River Ohio and later became the first Capital of the State of Tennessee in 1796.

Tours: (April – November) Monday – Saturday: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
(December – March) Monday – Friday: 10 am – 4 pm
Phone: 865-525-6514. Address: 205 Hill Avenue SE, Knoxville, TN 37915. Website: www.jameswhitesfort.org