Calendar of Events

Art exhibit featuring work by Nick DeFord and Kate McCullough at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.
Free and open to the public. Opening reception Dec. 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; artists' talks at 6:30 p.m.

Nick DeFord is an artist, educator, and arts administrator who resides in Knoxville, TN. He received his MFA from Arizona State University, and a MS and BFA from the University of Tennessee. He exhibits nationally, with recent exhibitions at the University of Mississippi, Vanderbilt University, Lindenwood University and the William King Museum in Virginia. He has had artwork or writing published in Surface Design Journal, Elephant Magazine, Hayden Ferry Review, and Willow Springs. He has upcoming exhibitions and lectures at Coastal Carolina University and Eastern Carolina University. Currently, Nick is the Program Director at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee. This series is the culmination of a multi-year effort that examines the confusion and abstraction of text and language. DeFord manipulates words in his fiber arts as well as in his poetry.

Kate McCullough began painting in watercolor about 12 years ago after a 35-year hiatus from art. Initially her studies at Villa Maria College and SUNY College at Buffalo included general design, art history, and oil and acrylic painting. When she returned to painting she decided that watercolor was a medium that she would like to explore, and she has not looked back. She started with courses with Marcia Goldenstein and Whitney Leland at the University of Tennessee and then moved on to workshops at Arrowmont with Don Lake and Sue Archer, Kanuga with Linda Baker and Don Andrews, Cheap Joe's with Linda Kemp, Gibson County with John Salminen, and a couple of workshops with Paul Jackson. She presently teaches two watercolor classes at the Fountain City Art Center and is the president of the Knoxville Watercolor Society and a member of the Art Market Gallery, The Tennessee Watercolor Society, and Fountain City Art Guild.

Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Gallery hours: M-Th 9-5, Su 10:30-1. Information: 865-523-4176, www.tvuuc.org

Folk art paintings of Tennessee Volunteer football legends by WILL JOHNSON are on display at Pioneer House. ALL VOL: KNOX COUNTY WARRIORS of the GRIDIRON paintings will be on view & for sale!

Pioneer House of Letterpress, 413 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Info: julie@pioneer-house.com

The Arts & Culture Alliance proudly presents its 2015 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 individual 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 2015 Members Show are for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition as holiday gifts.

The exhibition will be on display throughout the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville from December 4, 2015 – January 29, 2016. An opening reception will take place as part of First Friday activities on December 4 from 5:00-9:00 PM.

Gallery hours for the 2015 Members Show are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sundays, December 6 & 20 and January 3 & 17, 3:30-6:30 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. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543 or visit www.knoxalliance.com.

Feast Your Eyes. An ART exhibit ALL about FOOD! Artists reflect on food as it pervades our lives, from the profound to the mundane.

Opening Reception and Awards Night will be held on "FIRST" Friday December 4, 5-9pm. It is suggested that all guests for the reception bring one can of food for donation to a local food bank.

To view the show afterward the regular gallery hours are be 11-7pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday and 11-3pm Sunday. Please note: we will be open Christmas Eve until 3 PM and closed Christmas Day.

Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 Broadway St, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: www.BroadwayStudiosAndGallery.com

Bliss Home is pleased to present Aurora by Knoxville artist Jane Nickels, for December's First Friday. Bliss Home will host an opening reception on Friday, December 4th from 6pm to 9pm. Complimentary treats from Wild Love Bakehouse will be provided and Jane's art will be featured for the month of December.

Jane grew up in Europe, the USA and Asia attending high school at the United World College Of South East Asia, Singapore. Jane earned her BFA from Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame, IN. Inspired by international experiences during her formative years, Jane chooses to use pattern and color presented in a non figurative format to filter out cultural bias and the visual experience of region, religion and politics. Patterns and designs found in cultures and the natural world around the globe and crossing multiple eras have been collected and studied, these patterns then are deconstructed and reformed in a foam printing or line drawing process seeking to illustrate a universal aesthetic of pattern and color. Aurora is a series of paintings that invite the viewer to explore optimism, anticipation and the energy of the aurora, of the dawn.

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

We're excited to announce as well that we've added glass painting classes! We'll start in December painting some snowman wine glasses but we plan to add other types of glassware to our repertoire so keep a look out for those.

Red Ornament - Imagination Forest - Powell - Dec 2nd - 6 - 9pm
Tennessee Theater at Night - White Fox Beads Studio - Dec 5th - 3 - 6pm
Let It Snow - Mind Yer P's & Q's - Farragut - Dec 8th - 6 - 9pm
Starry Christmas **Cookies and Canvas** - Imagination Forest - Powell - Dec 9th - 6 - 8pm
Be Good For Goodness Sake - Casual Pint Hardin Valley - Dec 14th - 6 - 9pm
Snow Covered Bridge - Original Copper Cellar - Dec 15th - 6 - 9pm
Snowy Night - Green Meadow Country Club - Alcoa - Dec 17th - 6 - 9pm
Snowy Moon Branches **Date Night** - Gibby's Dining & Drinks (inside Holiday Inn) - Dec 21st - 6 - 9pm
Snowman Wine Glasses **SPECIAL EVENT** - Carolina Ale House - Dec 30th - 6 - 9pm

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

Knoxville Zoo is offering “Buy One, Get One Free” admission tickets Dec. 1, 2015, through Feb. 29, 2016, during Kroger BOGO Days.

“It may come as a bit of a surprise to our guests, but winter is a great time to visit the zoo,” said Lisa New, President and CEO of Knoxville Zoo. “We’re lucky to have many days of mild weather, and most of our animals enjoy being out and active on those days. Our red pandas and river otters are especially lively this time of year.” On days when the temperature drops below 40 degrees, some animals will be moved indoors, but visitors can still see many favorites, including elephants, gorillas, penguins, chimpanzees and reptiles, in their indoor viewing areas. A December trip to the zoo may even include a visit with Santa Claus, too, when the Pilot Flying J Wee Play Adventure indoor play area hosts Santa’s Village. Santa’s Village will offer visits and photo opportunities with Santa as well as holiday-themed crafts Dec. 3 through 6 and 10 through 14 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. each day. Half-price admission tickets can be purchased at the zoo ticket window during regular zoo hours and online at knoxvillezoo.org. Discounted admission tickets must be used by Feb. 29, 2016, and cannot be combined with any other promotion, discount, or coupon.

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

Dec 1 Knoxville Skies, 4:30,
Dec 4 Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2
Dec 5 Saturday Science Connections 11:30-1:30 FREE with admission
Dec 7 Muse Mondays 10-11am FREE with admission
Dec 8 Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2
Dec 11 Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2
Dec 12 Saturday Science Connections 11:30-1:30 FREE with admission
Dec 14 Muse Mondays 10-11am FREE with admission
Dec 15 Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2
Dec 18 Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2
Dec 19 Saturday Science Connections 11:30-1:30 FREE with admission
Dec 21 --(Open for extended hours till 5PM)/ Muse Mondays 10-11am FREE with admission/ WINTER WONDERLABS* 10am * 1 1am * 1 pm (*additional fees, see website for details)
Dec 22 --Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2 / WINTER WONDERLABS* 10am * 1 1am * 1 pm (*additional fees, see website for details) / COOKING UP SCIENCE CAMPS -$36/30 (Ages 6-8, 9am to 12pm and 1-4pm, enroll in one or both! see website for details)
Dec 23 --WINTER WONDERLABS* 10am * 1 1am * 1 pm (*additional fees, see website for details)
Dec 26 Saturday Science Connections 11:30-1:30 FREE with admission
Dec 28 --(Open for extended hours till 5PM)/ Muse Mondays 10-11am FREE with admission/ WINTER WONDERLABS* 10am * 1 1am * 1 pm (*additional fees, see website for details)
Dec 29 -Knoxville Skies, 4:30, $2 / WINTER WONDERLABS* 10am * 1 1am * 1 pm (*additional fees, see website for details) / CREATE, CRAFT, CODE CAMP-$60/50 9am to 12pm / INTRODUCTION TO 3D PRINTING CAMP -$40/32 1-4pm (Ages 9-13, enroll in one or both! see website for details)
Dec 30 --WINTER WONDERLABS* 10am * 1 1am * 1 pm (*additional fees, see website for details)
Dec 31 SPECIAL EVENT--Cheer In The New Year At Noon, 10am-4pm, Ticketed Event celebrating a New Years Eve countdown to noon for the whole family!

The Muse Knoxville, 516 N. Beaman Street, Knoxville, TN 37914. Information: 865-594-1494, www.themuseknoxville.org

Join us! Sunday, December 13th, 6-9 for an exhibition of mixed media collage work by Renee Suich.

Artist Statement:
I enjoy creating Mixed Media collages that are inspired by nature, history and the energy that surrounds us all.Some works have been referred to as "Heritage Collages", as I incorporate vintage photographs in a unique abstract layout. My vision starts with a story that I want to share, then I use layers of handmade altered paper, natural objects and or painting. The different mediums allow me to explore color and texture in a new way. I have also started using encaustic methods in my work. Encaustic is painting with wax. Every piece becomes a new challenge as I learn and combine different techniques.

The Birdhouse Bird-Feeder Gallery/Cafe, 800 N 4th Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: http://birdhouseknoxville.com, birdhouseknoxvillegallery@gmail.com

Returns for 10th season with expanded schedule! Locally owned Home Federal Bank joins its love of downtown Knoxville and Christmas this winter through its continued role as presenting sponsor for the City of Knoxville’s Holidays on Ice. Knoxville’s only open-air ice rink opens to the public on Friday, Nov. 27. This year marks the 10th season for the ice rink on Market Square. In celebration of its anniversary and based on popular demand, the rink is extending its season by 15 days. “This is an exciting time for Holidays on Ice,” City of Knoxville Director of Special Events Judith Foltz said. “For the first time in many years, the rink will be completely open air. We’re removing the tent, enhancing the rink with overhead lighting and extending the season by 15 days.” In 2014, the rink hosted 19,000 skaters and 20,000 spectators. For more information including operating hours and admission rates, visit http://www.knoxvillesholidaysonice.com.

For information on Christmas in the City: City of Knoxville Special Events, 865-215-4248,
http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/special_events/christmas_in_the_city/

Students, family, friends, and the public are invited to a reception and awards ceremony Tuesday, December 8 from 6 to 8pm at the Knoxville Museum of Art. The event is free and open to the public.

The Knoxville Museum of Art and the Tennessee Art Education Association celebrates the 10th anniversary of the East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition Friday. Now in its tenth year, the exhibition offers middle and high school students from around East Tennessee the opportunity to participate in a juried exhibition and to display their talents and be honored for their accomplishments in a professional art museum environment. The East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition is open to students in grades 6-12, attending public, private, or home schools in 32 counties across East Tennessee. Fewer than a third of the more than 964 entries in this highly competitive show made it through a rigorous jury process. The best-in-show winner will receive a purchase award of $500, and the artwork will become a permanent part of the collection of Mr. James Dodson, on loan to the Knoxville Museum of Art's Education Collection.

Since 2005, the East Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition has presented the work of nearly 3,000 students who have competed for a total of $7 million in scholarships made available to eligible juniors and seniors by colleges and universities from around the nation.

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

Native genius. Boy artist. These and other descriptors were often applied to Lloyd Branson, who grew from a precocious sketcher on his family’s East Tennessee farm to an accomplished artist best known for portraits of Southern politicians and depictions of early Tennessee history. For the first time, Branson is the subject of a major retrospective, which chronicles his life, works of art, and legacy as one of the most influential figures in Knoxville’s early art circles. Please join us in celebrating Branson’s life and art!

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Museum hours: M-F 9-4, Sa 10-4, Su 1-5. Information: 865-215-8824, www.easttnhistory.org