Calendar of Events

Knox County Public Library is pleased to present Dr. Margaret Lazarus Dean, University of Tennessee Associate Professor and author, for a discussion of her book Leaving Orbit: Notes from the Last Days of American Spaceflight in the East Tennessee History Center auditorium, 601 South Gay Street, in this month’s Books Sandwiched In, a program series sponsored by the Friends of Knox County Public Library.

In Leaving Orbit, a New York Times Top Book of 2015, Dean shares her search for an understanding of “what it means that we went to space for fifty years and that we won’t be going anymore,” a search that led her to Cape Canaveral to bear witness to NASA's last three space shuttle launches and the end of an era. Along the way, Dean meets NASA workers, astronauts, and space fans. “In the end, I did think I found an answer by sort of turning the question inside out—the real question is not ‘Why did we stop?’ but ‘Why did we start going in the first place?’” Dean said. “That turns out to be the real anomaly, the thing that does not fit any pattern of history.”

This program is planned in conjunction with University of Tennessee’s Life of the Mind, a common-reader program for freshmen. As its 2016 selection, Leaving Orbit is the first book chosen for the series written by a UT faculty member. With a continuing passion for the space program, Dean is now co-writing a memoir with Scott Kelly, the US astronaut who recently returned from a record-breaking year in space. Kelly will help launch the upcoming academic year by speaking at UT’s Welcome Week celebration (free and open to the public, but tickets will be required). Dean is also the author of a novel about the Challenger disaster, The Time It Takes to Fall, which received a National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, Popular Mechanics, Longreads, among many others, and she is a recipient of a Bread Loaf fellowship, a Tennessee Arts Commission Artist Fellowship, and the Graywolf Nonfiction Prize.

Information: 865-215-8750, www.knoxlib.org

The Bookaholics Reading group discusses Desperate Characters by Paula Fox

Union Ave Books, 517 Union Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-951-2180, www.unionavebooks.com

Many are talking about creating places that are vibrant and successful, which begs the question how to make sure the streets support these goals? Come discuss and learn how to create a more walkable, bikeable and transit friendly community. Nationally recognized transportation engineer, Ian Lockwood, of Toole Design Group, will encourage our community to think differently about how streets function. Sponsored by the Knoxville Regional TPO and the Knox County Health Dept, this is a FREE community event being held in the Knox County Health Department's auditorium. Doors will open at 5:30pm, and program will begin at 6:00pm. Afterwards, join us for social time and food trucks at Schulz Brau at 126 Bernard Ave. Knox County Health Department, 140 Dameron Ave, Knoxville, Tennessee 37917. https://www.facebook.com/events/298330540516001

With instructor Karl Hess. We will learn the basics of Reiki and get attuned to this healing energy! We will learn the history, its uses and benefits, practical applications, and how to work on oneself. Come join us for this fun day of healing! Cost: $110. At the end of class you will receive Reiki I certification!

At 9333 Park West Boulevard Suite 105, Knoxville. Info: karlalanhess@gmail.com

ENCORE, an exhibition of the work of 11 graduates from the University of Tennessee School of Art living in Nashville, TN opens Friday, July 15. Exhibiting artists are: Jodi Hays, Rob Matthews, Sterling Goller-Brown, Brandon Donahue, Briena Harmening, Jonathan Lisenby, Mary Addison Hackett, David King, Lakesha Moore, Lain York, and Terry Thacker.

Closing Reception to be held on Sunday, August 28th 1:00-4:00 pm - Artists will be present

Summer Hours (through Tuesday, August 16): Tues, Thurs & Fri - 12-5 PM

School Hours (starting Wednesday, August 17): Mon-Fri - 10 AM - 5 PM

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

The Knoxville Museum of Art presents a powerful exhibition by the Central High School National Art Honor Society students to bring awareness of the problem of human trafficking. The exhibition contains 15 artworks created under the instruction of teachers Phyllis Ball and Val Sigmon. The exhibition runs through July 31 and then moves to the Knox County Schools Office at the Andrew Johnson Building.

Human Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs. Cases of human trafficking have been reported in all 50 U.S. States. Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims. Human trafficking is the third largest international crime industry (behind illegal drugs and arms trafficking). National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888

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

The Town of Farragut Arts Council presents Mary Agnes Schaefer as the featured artist for July and August. Located at the Farragut Town Hall, her exhibit features quilt squares painted on canvas.

Schaefer's featured painted quilt squares are smaller in size and suitable to be hung inside. Typical quilt squares are not fabric but are quilt square images painted on prepared surfaces to be hung outside on sides of buildings, business establishments, barns, homes. They also appear on routes through communities to be seen from highways or back roads. Quilt square trails is a movement across the United States and includes one in Tennessee called the Appalachian Quilt Square Trail (www.vacationaqt.com). The quilt squares on this trail represent patterns that were used in quilts pieced by our ancestors as well as modern day designs. Some of these quilt squares are quite large and can be seen from a great distance. Schaefer hopes to encourage the creation of a Farragut Quilt Square Trail in our community.

The Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Dr, Farragut, TN 37934. Hours: M-F 8 AM - 5 PM. Information: 865-966-7057, www.townoffarragut.org

Artists from the greater Maryville area are creating artwork to honor our country and show appreciation for the freedom we enjoy because of those who protect us. Stop by Vienna Coffee House and enjoy some wonderful artwork from local artisans!

Customers will have the opportunity from July 2 through July 9 to vote for their favorite artwork.

Vienna Coffee House, 212 College St, Maryville, TN 37804. Phone: 865-980-8282

Our exhibit features the work of quilters Melissa Everett and Emily Doane. Melissa describes her quilting in this way: "I started quilting in 2011, after my first son was born. I wanted to make him something he could have forever. The obsession just snowballed from there. In 2012, I opened my Etsy shop, Cycling Jane's Closet, and through it met Emily Doane. Emily, whose work is also featured in this exhibition, invited me to a Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild meeting. That meeting, i joined the guild. I have continued to be an active member and in 2014 became the president. I've enjoyed the creativity, inspiration and education I've gained from the other members. My work is somewhat all over the map. I love trying new techniques, taking classes and learning how others approach the craft. I am a self-taught quilter, learning the craft form other bloggers. My grandmothers were seamstresses and made clothing, but only a great-grandmother, whom I never met, was a quilter. It has been such a healthy outlet for me while staying at home to raise my two boys. This is my first solo exhibition and you can see my growth and exploration of styles throughout the pieces showcased."

On display at Westminister Presbyterian Church, 6500 S Northshore Dr, Knoxville, TN 37919. Info: (865) 584-3957 or www.wpcknox.org.

Hours: Monday thru Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM

Rusted Beings: attachments to survival for life, oxidations marked by the passing of generations clinging to a physical space that blinds reality, where we evaded the basic needs of human beings.

Please join us for an artist reception for First Friday, August 5, 5:00 to 9:00 PM

HoLa Hora Latina, 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 112, Knoxville, TN 37902. Gallery hours: M-F 1-5 PM. Information: 865-335-3358, www.holahoralatina.org

"Home" - a Mixed Media Exhibition by Regional Artists and Selections from the Permanent Collection
Featuring International Artists including Henri Matisse, Georges Rouault, Salvador Dali and many others.

Artists Reception: Friday Evening, July 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Gallery Talk at 5:30 PM
The event is free and open to the public. Bring your friends and family!

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tu-F 9-5, Sa-M 1-4. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org

Bird Feeder Gallery's thematic focus for July, 1-31 is Diversity: the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc.

Opening reception will be the second Friday, July 8th, 6-9 and will also have spoken word/poetry hosted by Rose Porter.
The Birdhouse, Bird Feeder Gallery, 800 N. Fourth Ave. Please check website for open hours. birdhouseknoxville.com.