Calendar of Events

Knoxville Opera is excited for the curtains to rise on its spectacular production of Boito’s Mefistofele. Mefistofele tells the tale of Goethe’s Faust. With two exclusive performances, Knoxville Opera’s talented cast will bring the story of Mefistofele to life at the magnificent Tennessee Theatre. “Mefistofele will be one of our most powerful performances yet with 200 cast members including a 50-member onstage orchestra,” said Brian Salesky, Knoxville Opera Executive Director. “Each of the sensational scenes is sure to captivate everyone as they witness the thrilling story twist and turn.”

Faust, an old scholar longing for passion and excitement, sells his soul to Mefistofele, the sinister devil, in exchange for a life of love and youth. During his journey, he has unforgettable encounters including a Witches’ Sabbath orgy. In the end, he is faced with a difficult decision that can haunt him for the rest of his eternal life.

Performed for the first time ever in the state of Tennessee, Knoxville Opera’s Mefistofele will feature special effects that opera lovers and novices will not want to miss including the orchestra pit rising and lowering during scenes, a smoke-filled stage, and brass choirs playing throughout the Theatre.

Knoxville Opera is delighted to welcome back international stage director Brian Deedrick following his successful Knoxville productions of Die Fledermaus and The Elixir of Love. The diabolical Mefistofele will be performed by The Metropolitan Opera’s Donovan Singletary, Julia Lima will enthrall the audience as the tragic Margherita, and Cody Austin will deliver Faust’s romantic and dramatic character.

Friday, October 9, 2015 at 8:00pm
Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 2:30pm
Opera preview hosted by Maestro Salesky begins 45 minutes prior to each performance.

Annoucing Sempre Opera Society! If you would like to attend one of our performances but don’t have anyone to go with you, join our Facebook group: Sempre Opera Society! S.O.S. is an opera-loving group that will meet for dinner and drinks prior to performances and sit together during the show. Join us on Facebook for more information.

At the Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Tickets and info from Knoxville Opera: 865 524-0795, http://www.knoxvilleopera.com/schedule/mefistofele/

BOO! at the Zoo presented by U.S. Cellular® kicks off Knoxville’s largest Halloween event. Knoxville’s largest Halloween event features 12 nights of safe and not-too-scary fun scheduled over three weekends, Thursdays through Sundays, 5:30-8:00 p.m. each evening. BOO! at the Zoo, a Halloween tradition for 29 years, is a family event featuring trick-or-treating through the zoo along the BOO! Trail, the Chick-fil-A Monster Mash tent with fun that’s perfect for preschool and elementary-aged event-goers, friendly costumed characters and entertainers throughout the zoo, the Carni-GROWL, an all-new carnival-themed activity area and the only “haunted” carousel in East Tennessee, the Scary-Go-Round. (How can you tell it’s haunted? It goes backwards, of course.)

Boo! at the Zoo tickets are $8 per person. Children under two are admitted free. Parking is $5. Tickets are available at in advance by phone at (865) 637-5331, online at knoxvillezoo.org and at the zoo’s ticket office during regular zoo hours. Knoxville Zoo members receive a $2 discount on admission tickets and free parking. U.S. Cellular customers can show their U.S. Cellular phone and receive $2 off BOO! at the Zoo admission.

Knoxville Zoo, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Open every day except Christmas. Information: 865-637-5331, www.knoxville-zoo.org

The Appalachian Arts Craft Center in Norris will hold its Fall Porch Sale starting Thursday, October 8, and running for about two weeks. The Porch Sale features outdated stock, seconds, student crafts and unjuried work by members of the Craft Center. It’s an excellent time to get great deals. There will also be baked goods for sale!

The Appalachian Arts Craft Center is a nonprofit center that has been fulfilling its mission by promoting traditional artists and crafts in the East Tennessee area for 40 years. Currently the center has about 70 crafters who sell in the shop.

Appalachian Arts Craft Center: 2716 Andersonville Highway, Clinton, TN. Hours: M-Sa 10-6, Su 1-5. Information: 865-494-9854, www.appalachianarts.net

Surface Design Association (SDA) will host its first Craft + Concept Intensive, Made/Aware: Socially Engaged Practices, at Arrowmont. The conference will offer participants meaningful interactions with accomplished artists and designers whose community art practices have global impact. Featured presenters Mary Fisher, Charllotte Kwon, Rowland Ricketts III & Laura Sansone will activate ideas for socially engaged projects including the preservation of indigenous natural dyeing processes, building craft collectives for African women dealing with AIDS, up-cycling used clothing into new designs and conceptualizing impactful community projects.

SDA is a non-profit textile arts organization founded in 1977. SDA promotes international awareness and appreciation of fiber, textiles & new materials. Members include artists, designers, educators, students, curators, gallery owners and textile enthusiasts from around the world.

http://www.surfacedesign.org/conference/conference-2015
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

Reception: Monday, October 5, 5:30 - 7pm in the Ewing Gallery

This exhibition posits an approach and a vision for architecture at the urban scale within the contemporary post-metropolitan condition. The project assembles a multi-year investigation that examines extant and emerging urban systems within the Great Lakes Megaregion, and a develops a speculative design proposition to leverage energy and mobility infrastructures toward new urban futures. www.rvtr.com

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

The Barbara West Portrait Group will showcase an exhibition of their work in October at the Farragut Town Hall. The group's namesake, the late Barbara West, was an artist who shared her hospitality and home with fellow artists. Living in California for many years, she relocated to Knoxville in 2002. West was the founding member of the Pastel Society of San Diego.

Monday, Oct. 5 - Friday, Oct. 16 - During regular Town Hall hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reception: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 5 - 6 p.m.
Farragut Town Hall
11408 Municipal Center Drive (across from the Farragut Branch Post Office)

The art show is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Lauren Cox, special events and program coordinator, at lcox@townoffarragut.org or 966-7057.

The McMinn County Living Heritage Museum invites you to join us for our 2015 Quilt Show, "A World of Fabrics", October 3 - October 31, 2015.

October 3, 11:00AM, Opening Reception & Awards Presentation
October 10, 11:00AM, Lecture/Trunk Show by Linda Roy from Knoxville, TN
October 14, 10:30AM, Quilt Study Group with Hall of Fame Quilter: Merikay Waldvogel
Other special guests: Helen Willis & Cindy Stuart
October 17, 10:AM, Class by Judy Wurm from Chattanooga, TN
October 25, 2:00PM, A presentation by a Japanese Group is planned (subject to change)

Categories: Antique pieced, Antique appliqued, "Modern" quilts, Small bed quilts, Wall hangings, Contemporary pieced quilts, Mixed technique, Group quilts (by 3 or more) and First quilts

October 3-31, McMinn County Living Heritage Museum
522 West Madison Avenue, Athens, TN 37303
Museum Hours:
Tuesday - Friday (10 am -5 pm);
Saturday (10 am -4 pm)
Call 423-745-0329 or visit our website for further detail:
http://www.livingheritagemuseum.com/

Bliss Home is pleased to present Local Nostalgia, by Knoxville artist Christi Shields, for October's First Friday. Bliss Home, located at 29 Market Square, will host an opening reception on Friday, October 2nd from 6pm to 9pm. Complimentary treats from Wild Love Bakehouse will be provided and Christi's art will be featured for the month of October.

Growing up in the Knoxville area, Christi takes great pride in how far our “scruffy little city” has come. Knoxville is growing by leaps and bounds through the interest and support of local businesses, farmers, products, music and art. Observing the movement to support “local” gives Christi personal justification for her inspiration to create work through a sentimental lens. Sometimes there is just no need to look further than your own “back yard.”

Local Nostalgia is a collection of work that highlights a few nostalgic moments reflecting Christi's own experiences. It is intended to evoke a sense of nostalgia or feeling in the viewer through the use of local themes, bold complimentary colors and expressive brush strokes. Christi uses a very action oriented process with mixed media on wood support to create interest, depth, texture, movement and vintage flair.

Bliss Home, 29 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-329-8868, www.shopinbliss.com

October 2-October 31
What can we expect this year when we attend the Fall Show opening reception? While a red carpet has not been decided on, you will hear live music as you enter the Art Center parking lot. The aroma of delicious hors d’oeuvres and fine wines will greet you at the door. Inside you will be greeted with up to eleven, yes, eleven, categories of art of the highest quality and style, all presented in the most complimentary settings. Art that exceeds one’s expectations and art that will fulfill every taste and preference will be in full view for your appreciation and viewing pleasure.
These original art pieces are required to have been created in the last 24 months, and will include oil, watercolor, acrylic, oil and acrylic, mixed media, pastel, colored pencil drawing, black and white drawing, folk art, photography, fiber art, stained glass, pottery and 3-dimensional jewelry.
The Plateau Creative Art Center is located at 451 Lakeview Drive, Fairfield Glade and is handicap accessible.
The Art Guild at Fairfield Glade REGULAR HOURS: Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, CLOSED Sunday.
WINTER HOURS (December 24 thru February 28): Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, CLOSED Sunday.
Closed: New Years day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
http://www.artguildfairfieldglade.net/ or 931 707 7249 for more information.

In addition to our public classes, we're going to be at the Knox Corn Maze on October 10th and 11th for mini-classes all throughout the day and will run a Halloween class on the 31st early enough to still go out and get those treats! We've also got a a special Boys and Girls Club fundraiser on October 24th at Wonderworks in Pigeon Forge so make sure to come paint for a great cause!

Pink Hope - October 2nd - 6pm to 9pm - Elvira's Cafe - Sevierville

Wed Oct 8 - Belk and Wine and Canvas!
Ladies join us on October 8th from 5:00-8:30pm for a special Girls’ Night out event at Belk in Turkey Creek! Enjoy 20% off savings with VERY LIMITED EXCLUSIONS in their Ladies apparel, shoes and accessories and more. Belk will also have appetizers! Wine and Canvas Knoxville is attending, offering three mini-classes to paint your own 8"x10" canvas for only $10.00 per painter. Classes will start at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm.

Golden Mushroom - October 9th - 6pm to 9pm - Imagination Forest
Celebration Time in Tennessee - October 13th - 6pm to 9pm - Barley's Taproom - Maryville
Neyland Stadium - October 15th - 6pm to 9pm - Original Copper Cellar
Cookies and Canvas - Sea Otter - October 16th - 6pm to 8pm - Imagination Forest
See Rock City Barn - October 20th - 6pm to 9pm - Carolina Ale House
Live - Laugh - Love - October 21st - 6pm to 9pm - Mimi's Cafe
If the Shoe Fits - October 31st - 1pm to 4pm - Knox Corn Maze

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

Bill Suttles: In my View, October 2-31 at the District Gallery. There will be an opening reception on Friday, October 2, 5:00-8:00PM.

In My View is a collection of painterly landscapes and figurative works in oil, watercolor and pastel. Bill Suttles graduated form the American Academy of Art in Chicago in 1949 and was influenced by the Art Institute of Chicago's Impressionist collection. His career began in illustration and has evolved into a full-time commitment to pursuing his own artistic vision.

This October, Bill Suttles will celebrate his 85th birthday. Fitting of a lifetime of commitment to the arts, his work possesses a remarkable maturity, yet it resonates with a fresh and youthful spirit, evident in his combination of vibrant color, loose gesture, and masterful economy.

Please join us Friday, October 2, from 5:00-8:00PM for an art opening and 85th birthday celebration for Bill Suttles. The show is on display in the gallelry through October 31 at The District Gallery, 5113 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.
865 200 4452 or TheDistrictGallery.com.

Broadway Studios and Gallery is hosting The Fountain City Arts Center members art exhibit.

Opening night reception begins on Oct. 2nd (First Friday). Hours are from 5-9. Light refreshments will be served. Ample parking provided. Local artists will be on hand to discuss their art and techniques. All art is for sale and the art boutique will be open for shoppers. The 10 resident artists will have their doors open for the curious as well.

Regular hours: Th-Sat 11-7 and Sun 11-3. Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 Broadway St, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: www.BroadwayStudiosAndGallery.com or 865-566-8676