Calendar of Events

This year's Dollywood BBQ & Bluegrass Festival features over 250 shows in 15 days including The Del McCoury Band, The Earls of Leicester, The Boxcars, J.D. Crow, The Gibson Brothers, Rhonda Vincent, and many more. And all the barbeque you can eat. http://www.dollywood.com/themepark/festivals/Barbeque-and-Bluegrass.aspx

Historic Homes of Knoxville Celebrate Statehood Day on May 23, 24, 30, 31, and June 6

June 1, 2015 marks the 219th anniversary of Tennessee’s admission as the 16th state in the union. East Tennessee’s most important cultural heritage sites are partnering to celebrate Statehood Day on Saturdays, May 23, May 30, and June 6 as well as Sundays, May 24 and May 31. The sites include places of historical significance in the exciting journey from the creation of our country to the founding of our state. The Historic Homes of Knoxville include: Blount Mansion, Crescent Bend, James White’s Fort, Mabry-Hazen House, Marble Springs, Ramsey House, and Historic Westwood. Each site will have individual ways of celebrating the birth of Tennessee. This is a free museum day to the public.

+ Crescent Bend House & Gardens (Saturday, May 30, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Crescent Bend House & Gardens is one of the Southeast’s finest house museums and gardens. Built in 1834 by Drury Paine Armstrong, Crescent Bend was once a 900-acre working farm and so named for its prominent setting overlooking a majestic crescent bend in the Tennessee River just west of downtown Knoxville. Hosting free admission.
2728 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919. Information: 865-637-3163, www.crescentbend.com

+ Ramsey House (Saturdays, May 30 & June 6, 12:00 PM)
Ramsey House was built in 1797 by Knoxville's first builder, Thomas Hope, for Francis Alexander Ramsey, one of Knoxville’s first settlers. In celebration of Statehood Day, Ramsey House will host Vintage Baseball on May 30 and June 6. This year Historic Ramsey House will be hosting two Knoxville teams: the Knoxville Holstons and Emmett Machinists. Come and enjoy a day of history and fun for all ages. There is no admission charge for the games. Food and beverages will be available for purchase and all proceeds will benefit Ramsey House.
2614 Thorngrove Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914. Information: 865-546-0745, www.ramseyhouse.org

+ Marble Springs (Saturday, May 23, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sunday, May 24, 12:00-5:00 PM)
Marble Springs was the home of John Sevier (1745-1815), Tennessee’s first governor and Revolutionary War hero. Marble Springs State Historic Site will commemorate this occasion with a weekend of Living History. Walk amongst Living History interpreters in 18th Century clothing portraying life on the frontier, encampments, and more. Children’s activities include falling into a militia drill and playing with period toys. Blacksmithing, weaving, and open hearth cooking will be demonstrated all weekend. Details are subject to change. This event is free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated.
1220 West Gov. John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920. Information: 865-573-5508, www.marblesprings.net

+ Blount Mansion (Saturday, June 6, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Construction on Blount Mansion began in 1792. The restored mansion was open for tours in 1930, making it the oldest museum in Knox County. Commemorate the creation of the state of Tennessee and celebrate the pioneers who settled and transformed the southwest territory into the vibrant state of Tennessee. Hosting free admission.
200 W. Hill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-525-2375, www.blountmansion.org

+ James White’s Fort (Saturday, June 6, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Built in 1786, James White’s Fort was home to the founder of Knoxville. More than 10,000 visitors tour the Fort each year and experience the frontier lifestyle through hands-on interpretations. Celebrate at James White’s Fort and learn about open hearth cooking and blacksmithing. Free admission, and donations will be gladly accepted.
205 E. Hill Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915. Information: 865-525-6514, www.jameswhitefort.org

+ Mabry-Hazen House (Saturday, June 6, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
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. 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. Hosting free admission.
1711 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37915. Information: 865-522-8661, www.mabryhazen.com

In addition to the Historic Homes of Knoxville, Sequoyah Birthplace Museum and Crockett Tavern Museum will also host Statehood Day events.

+ Crockett Tavern Museum (Saturday, May 30, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
The Museum, located in Morristown, was built on the site of the boyhood home of Davy Crockett. It is a reconstruction of the 1790's John Crockett Tavern. Open with free admission.
2002 Morningside Drive, Morristown, TN 37814. Information: 423-587-9900, www.crocketttavernmuseum.org

+ Sequoyah Birthplace Museum (Sunday, May 31, 12:00-4:00 PM)
The mission of the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum (Vonore), a property of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is to promote the understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of the Cherokee Indians in Eastern Tennessee, particularly the life and contributions of Sequoyah. The Museum will collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit objects and data that support this mission. Free admission. Demonstrators will be on hand throughout the day.
576 HWY 360, Vonore, TN 37885. Information: 423-884-6246, www.sequoyahmuseum.org

About the Historic Homes of Knoxville
The Historic House Museums of Knoxville is a partnership that shares resources from each historic site in presenting the history, culture, and heritage of Knoxville and East Tennessee: www.hhknoxville.org. More info: (865) 523-7543 or rp@knoxalliance.com

Historic Homes of Knoxville Celebrate Statehood Day on May 23, 24, 30, 31, and June 6

June 1, 2015 marks the 219th anniversary of Tennessee’s admission as the 16th state in the union. East Tennessee’s most important cultural heritage sites are partnering to celebrate Statehood Day on Saturdays, May 23, May 30, and June 6 as well as Sundays, May 24 and May 31. The sites include places of historical significance in the exciting journey from the creation of our country to the founding of our state. The Historic Homes of Knoxville include: Blount Mansion, Crescent Bend, James White’s Fort, Mabry-Hazen House, Marble Springs, Ramsey House, and Historic Westwood. Each site will have individual ways of celebrating the birth of Tennessee. This is a free museum day to the public.

Saturday, May 23 from 10am-5pm walk amongst Living History interpreters in 18th Century clothing portraying life on the frontier. Militia drills along with demonstrations of 18th Century life, including tomahawk throwing demonstrations, will take place. The celebration will continue into Sunday, May 24 from 12-5pm with Living History encampments and various interpreters. Children’s activities include falling into a militia drill and playing with period toys. Militia camps will be open between activities. Blacksmithing, weaving, and open hearth cooking will be demonstrated all weekend. A full schedule of events will be available at www.marblesprings.net. Details are subject to change.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated. 1220 West Gov. John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920. Information: 865-573-5508, www.marblesprings.net

Opening Reception on Friday, May 22, 2015, 5:30 - 7:30pm in the Geoffrey A. Wolpert Gallery.

The exhibit features expressive woodworking by artist and professor, Kim Winkle. The opening reception and exhibition are free. Community members are encouraged to attend with their family and friends.

Kimberly Winkle uses hardwood to create unique forms based on traditional wooden utilitarian objects, and then activates the surfaces with paint and graphite with varying arrangements of lines and dots. “My interest lies in the pursuit and potential of the medium as an expressive device,” states Winkle about her work. This results in playful objects, characterized by a sense of spontaneity and calculated gesture.

Kimberly Winkle is an Associate Professor of Art at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. She has a BFA in Ceramics from the University of Oklahoma and an MFA in furniture design from San Diego State University. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, and her work has been included in a number of publications, including Fine Woodworking and Woodworker magazines, and books—500 Tables, and 500 Chairs. She was awarded artist residencies including the Windgate Artist Residency at SUNY Purchase, and the International Turning Exchange at the Center for Art in Wood in Philadelphia. She was also awarded a State of Tennessee Individual Artist Award in 2011, and the Society of Arts and Crafts (Boston) John D. Mineck Furniture Fellowship in 2014. To see more of Winkle’s work, please visit her website: www.kimberlywinkle.com.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Gallery hours: M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-4PM. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

“Operation Famous Salute” makes it return to Famous Dave’s East Tennessee restaurants over the Memorial Day Weekend holiday. The event, now in its ninth year, is a letter writing campaign geared to deliver thank you messages and notes of encouragement to our nation’s active and recovering military service members. Beginning Friday, May 22nd, all East Tennessee Famous Dave’s restaurants, including our Knoxville location, will invite their patrons to write to active Service Members and those recovering in our nation’s military hospitals. Famous Dave’s provides all the stationary for letters to be created, and this year, a coloring page for children to get involved. At the end of the holiday weekend, Famous Dave’s staff will gather messages from all five Tennessee locations and pick up the tab for the postage to send them to these well-deserving Service Members.

“This is one of the best things we can do to honor those who have given their lives in service to defend our nation, and each one of us,” said franchise co-owner Mike Lister. “And that is, to take care of those presently serving...to remind those men and women that we are always thinking of them.” Since its inception, “Operation Famous Salute” has collected more than 11,000 letters, and sent them to soldiers and other military personnel serving around the world. Doug Renegar, franchise co-owner at Famous Dave’s notes the restaurants’ vendors have always supported this event and jump on board to help each and every year. “Our printer, Kwik Kopy for example, is providing the stationary, while TG Promotions is donating the pens. The list goes on and on!” Famous Dave’s will also provide patrons a list of suggested “talking points,” with which to communicate their support. Follow up communication with soldiers is encouraged as well.

Middle Tennessee Famous Dave’s locations will collect letters for “Operation Famous Salute” beginning Friday, May 22nd through the close of business on Memorial Day; Monday, May 25th. For questions or more information about how to participate, please email info@homeofthebigslab.com, or contact your local Famous Dave’s restaurant: 208 Advantage Drive, Knoxville, TN 37922; 865-694-9990

Hosted by Sundress Academy for the Arts in the Black Box at The Emporium Center for Arts & Culture, 100 S Gay St, Knoxville.

Join SAFTA Stage for four short plays at The Emporium. Directed by Erik Schiller, these plays discuss themes of race, gender, sexuality, and more!

Thursday, May 21st, 7PM: Preview Night/$5
Friday, May 22nd, 7PM: $12 in advance or $15 at the door
Sunday, May 24th, 3PM: $12 in advance or $15 at the door

Tortillas By Cathy Adams
In the face of an impending tornado at a north Georgia chicken farm, Pete and Roynell are sent to watch the poultry buildings. They believe it is because they’re the only ones who know how to keep the generator running, but after assessing their lives as they wait for the tornado to hit, each man realizes just how expendable he really is.

A Brief Play By Alicia Cole
A Brief Play deals with the intersection of faiths and races in a relationship—Muslim and JudeoChristian, African and Caucasian.

Shelter By Laryssa Wirstiuk
Ashely and Randall are in a relationship. Randall’s dog dies. He decides to get a new one. Ashley wants to support him, but can’t break through the barriers Randall puts up. This piece studies the dynamics of a relationship as it falls apart. How do we survive when someone we’re close to leaves us? Where do we go to find shelter?

Unactualized By Saba Waheed
An unnamed narrator searches for the stories of her life and family and finds that they have been lost or forgotten when her family made their journey to the US. This piece weaves together lost stories, family silences, and a mystery that is experienced yet remains unspoken. When the truth is finally revealed, it is simultaneously denied. Non-linear and repetitive, and spanning over two decades and across three continents, Unactualized is a story about the loss of stories.

https://www.facebook.com/events/722503827858607/

Sundress Academy for the Arts: 195 Tobby Hollow Ln, Knoxville, TN 37931, (865) 560-6106, safta@sundresspublications.com

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts invites the public to the Opening Reception of the 2015 Instructor Exhibition, June 5, 2015, 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Sandra J. Blain Gallery.

The Exhibition showcases the work of over 100 Arrowmont instructors who are teaching during the 2015 workshop season. Both the opening reception and the exhibition are free and open to the public. Community members are encouraged to attend with their family and friends.

“The Instructor Exhibition is an annual Arrowmont tradition and offers the work of nationally and internationally recognized artists who make up Arrowmont’s faculty. They come from across the globe to share skills and ideas, foster new thinking, artistic growth and creative camaraderie. We are pleased to provide the community with the opportunity to view these outstanding works of art,” Bill May, Arrowmont Executive Director said.

The exhibit features a wide range of diverse media including woodworking, glass, ceramics, painting, fiber and textile work, metals, jewelry, book arts, photography and printmaking. The show celebrates Arrowmont’s instructors and functions as an educational tool, demonstrating the skills and techniques that the instructors focus on in their workshops.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is a national arts education center. The School offers weekend, one- and two-week workshops for the beginner to advanced artist, taught by national and international practicing studio artists and university faculty. Students work and learn in professionally equipped studios on a 14-acre residential campus in Gatlinburg, TN. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the workshop immersion by registering for on campus housing and meals offered by Arrowmont.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Gallery hours: M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-4PM. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

Darkhorse Entertainment, LLC invites you to go back in time at the Tennessee Medieval Faire. The Grand Opening is the last three weekends in May, including Memorial Day, in Harriman, TN. It’s a new tradition – Joust for You! “The Medieval Faire has something for everyone,” said Barrie Paulson, VP-Manager & Entertainment Director. “The Faire is fun and family-friendly – and includes plenty of theatrical violence,” she said with a grin.

The rock stars of the Faire perform The Royal Joust in the tournament arena. There will also be Warriors’ Chess where the characters fight to take over the square. Warhorse rides will be offered between arena shows. Rotating on the stages will be professional, interactive, comedy shows. These include The ridiculously dangerous Fire * Whip * Sword Show; The Steele Sisters; Fantasies, Fables & Fortunes; and Albi Belly Dancers. There will also be Celtic musicians, interactive folk dancers, puppet shows, games, and The Royal Players whose characters include young King Henry VIII. Period crafts, food and beer will be available.

The Tennessee Medieval Faire will run the last three weekends in May, including Memorial Day: May 16-17, 23-24-25, 30-31. Hours are 10-5 EDT. Ticket prices are $14.95 for ages 13 and up, $7.95 for ages 5 to 12, free for ages 4 and under. Free parking is included. The festival is located at 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN. For more information, please visit the website: www.TMFaire.com. Please like us on Facebook. A New Tradition -- Joust for You. Fun for the Entire Family!

The Town of Farragut Arts Council presents Carol Erikson as the featured artist for May and June. Located at the Farragut Town Hall, the exhibit highlights her photographic art, titled "Images that Inspire."

A New Jersey native, Erikson's exhibit features a mix of customer favorites and her newer work, including birds in South Texas, the Tybee Island lighthouse, and angel statuary from cemeteries in Savannah and Ohio. Her photography focuses on local nature images, especially waterfalls, wildflowers, old barns and landscapes. Mainly self-taught, Erikson has taken non-credit photography and editing courses at the University of Tennessee. A Rutgers University and University of North Carolina graduate, she works as an analytical project manager in Oak Ridge, supporting the ongoing decontamination and decommissioning work on the Oak Ridge reservation.

Each month, the work of an artist or group of artists is featured in specially designed cases on the second floor of the rotunda in the Farragut Town Hall. For more information about this exhibit or to access a Featured Artist of the Month application, please contact Lauren Cox at lauren.cox@townoffarragut.org or 966-7057 or visit www.townoffarragut.org/artsandculture.

The Farragut Town Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 11408 Municipal Center Drive directly across from the Farragut Branch Post Office.

Showing work by Athens’ Mayfield Dairy entrepreneur, Goldie Mayfield. The exhibit is scheduled at The Arts Center, 320 North White Street, Athens, Tennessee. AACA invites community members with original work by Goldie Mayfield to loan pieces to this special exhibit. Goldie Mayfield, one of Athens’ most prolific local artists, is among the women fundamental in bringing the visual arts to our community by teaching and supporting other local artists and by starting our Community Artist’s League. Her work was often featured in Mayfield Dairy’s Christmas cards in the 1980s and early 1990s. She used various mediums and is known for her expert use of watercolor.

Goldie was known for graciously giving away her work to friends and family. Community members who loan work to the exhibit will be duly credited as donors.

The exhibit reception is Friday, May 22, 2015 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Mayfield’s friends and family will be on hand to informally discuss her art. The reception will include light refreshments and is free and open to the public.

Athens Area Council for the Arts, 320 North White Street | Athens, TN 37303. Info: 423.745.8781 or www.athensartscouncil.org

This exhibition is the first major U.S. one-person presentation of Evan Roth’s pioneering multi-faceted and interactive installations, custom software, prints, sculptures and websites. Roth, a self-professed “hacktivist” artist, is interested in uses of technology in popular culture and the urban environment. He inventively combines elements from the disparate worlds of computer programming and street culture. Evan Roth//Intellectual Property Donor offers a unique opportunity to understand the artist’s approach from analysis and archiving to experimentation through to the final—and in the artist’s mind— most important step, opening it up to the world for participation. Blurring the line between artist and hacker, the exhibition challenges gallery visitors to consider how everyday life intersects with virtual reality and how viral media can become fine art.

Evan Roth is an American artist based in Paris. His notable pieces include Graffiti Taxonomy, Multi Touch, EyeWriter, Internet Cache Portraits. He also collaborated with Jay-Z on the first open source rap video. Roth worked at the Eyebeam OpenLab, an open source creative technology lab for the public domain as a Research and Development Fellow from 2005 to 2006 and was a Senior Fellow there from 2006 to 2007. Evan Roth co-founded the Graffiti Research Lab in 2005 and the Free Art and Technology Lab (FAT Lab), an arts and free culture collective, in 2007. Born in 1978 in Okemos, Michigan, Roth currently lives in Paris with his wife and daughter where he maintains a studio and is represented by XPO Gallery.

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

What are we up to in May? April has been a great month for us so far and we're so glad that many of you have come out to paint with us. We've had some of our biggest classes yet, a very successful fundraiser for the Leukemia Society, and we had a huge turnout at the Dogwoods Arts Festival despite the rain. We want to do so much more in our May classes and we're proud to bring you some new artists, new paintings and some new venues as well! Make sure you come out to paint with us! Life's too short for blank walls!

White Lightning
Mon, 5/4/2015, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Calhoun's - MARYVILLE - 751 Watkins Road, Maryville, TN 37801

Starry Night in Knoxville
Mon, 5/11/2015, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Carolina Ale House - 9045 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923

Eiffel Tower at Night
Tue, 5/12/2015, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Mimi's Cafe - 10945 Parkside Drive, Knoxville, TN 37922

Cumberland Gap
Wed, 5/13/2015, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Calhoun's - Pigeon Forge - 2532 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Henley Street Bridge
Tue, 5/19/2015, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Calhoun's - Turkey Creek - 625 Turkey Cove Ln, Knoxville, TN 37934

Love Marquee (or is it VOLS?!?)
Wed, 5/20/2015, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Crown and Goose - 123 S. Central St, Knoxville, TN 37902

Reflections of Love
Sun, 5/24/2015, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Mind Yer P's & Q's - Farragut - 12744 Kingston Pike Suite 104, Knoxville, TN 37934

Hometown Pride
Mon, 5/25/2015, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Hurricane Grill & Wings - 319 Lovell Rd, Knoxville, TN 37934

Tennessee Theater at Night
Tue, 5/26/2015, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Uncorked - 18-20 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902

Butterfly Song
Thu, 5/28/2015, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Original Copper Cellar - 1807 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916

- Special Offers and Notices for May-
• We are offering a special promotion for brides-to-be! If you book a Private Bridal Event with us, be it a bridal shower, bachelorette party or a "last" girls night out to celebrate, the bride gets her seat for free! Call us for details on our Private Events at 865-356-9179 and let's get you booked as dates are filling up fast!
• Take a selfie with the "Splatmobile" - If you see our vehicle around town take a selfie with it! When you post it on Facebook and tag us, we'll give you a code for 20% off your next public class!
• Come paint with us for free at one of our demonstration classes on May 9th! We'll be at World's Fair Park during the "Relay for Life" event!

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