Calendar of Events

Please join us First Friday April 7, for an opening reception from 5-9pm.

Alison Saar weaves narratives relating to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 into the mixed-media sculpture and paintings featured in “Breach.” Saar explores issues of gender, race, racism, and the African diaspora. She mines mythology, ritual, history, music, and her biracial heritage as sources for her work.

During a 2013 residency at the Joan Mitchell Center in New Orleans, Saar was dismayed to see how little had been done to rebuild African American communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina eight years earlier. Upon her return to Los Angeles, she began researching the histories of American floods and the effect on African Americans. The Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927, described as one of the worst natural river disasters in U.S. history, piqued her interest. Heavy rains resulted in the river breaching levees, creating a historic catastrophe that had a profound impact on the life of African Americans living in the Mississippi Delta. The flood exposed the conditions of poor African American sharecroppers and tenant farmers and their relationship with cotton plantation owners. The flood also resulted in social, cultural, federal policy, and political changes.

With water imagery woven throughout, “Breach” is the culmination of Saar’s creative research on American rivers and their historical relationship to the lives of African Americans. Through mixed media sculpture, paintings, and works on paper, she explores floods not only as natural phenomena; but also the complex interaction of social, cultural, and political factors associated with flooding and its aftermath.

Saar will also be giving a public lecture on her work on Thursday, April 6 at 7:30 PM in room 109 of the Art + Architecture Building.

Free admission! UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: W-F 11-6, Sat 10-3. Information: 865-673-0802, http://web.utk.edu/~downtown

On your way downtown to Rhythm and Blooms, stop by and celebrate "Big (EYES) Festival" with us. Broadway Studios and Gallery proudly presents artist Charlesey Charlton-McCallister in her solo exhibit entitled "Interrupted Signal." In this exhibit Charlesey displays abstract work dealing with digital media as a way to make the viewer contemplate it's role in our society.

Under a festival TENT we will have ethereal music by guitar god, Laith Keilany. Asian food will be provided by the popular Oishii Food Truck. And inspirational works of poerty will be recited by Sundress Academy of Art, featuring Jennie Frost and Erin Elizabeth Smith. All is FREE except for food. Parking is free and on site.

The event opens "First" Friday April 7th from 5-9pm. All ages are welcome.

Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 Broadway St, Knoxville, TN 37917. Hours: Thurs-Sat, 11-7. Information: 865-556-8676, www.BroadwayStudiosAndGallery.com

Join us for a week of activities and events that celebrate the places that give shape to our stories, our lives, and our communities.
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Art Salon: https://www.facebook.com/events/1863622320590108/, Sponsored by Genna Sellers Photography
A Behind the Scenes Tour, Hosted by Knox Heritage
The third annual First Friday pop-up gallery to celebrate and showcase the vast range of original works of art created by architects and related professionals in East Tennessee. Don’t miss out on this one-night only event in conjunction with a Behind the Scene’s Tour hosted by Knox Heritage. From Scratch Foods (food truck) will be there.

Friday, April 7 at Kern’s Bakery – 2110 Chapman Highway
Opening reception: April 7, 2017 – 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Knox Heritage Tour: April 7, 2017 – 5:00pm to 8:00pm
The tour is free for current KH members. Visit knoxheritage.org for more info or to become a member.

Jack Neely Walking Tour - https://www.facebook.com/events/738687206308420/, Downtown Performance Venues, Sponsored by Knoxville Mercury
Inspired by Knoxville’s Big Ears and Rhythm and Blooms festivals, join us for a walk and talk with historian and author, Jack Neely highlighting downtown Knoxville’s historic theatres and event spaces.
Civic Auditorium and Coliseum | Bijou Theatre | Tennessee Theatre | Tennessee Amphitheatre | Scruffy City Hall | The Square Room | The Standard | The Mill and Mine
Saturday, April 8th - 9:00am to 12:30pm, Civic Auditorium and Coliseum (free parking available)
$10 per adult. Children are free. (Proceeds go to support The Knoxville History Project)

Kazuyo Sejima - https://www.facebook.com/events/1870388169872723/, Hosted by the University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design
As co-founder of the multiple award-winning international architectural firm, SANAA, and a 2010 recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize for Architecture, Kazuyo will present, “Environment and Architecture,” an introspection of how her interests translate into architecture.
Saturday, April 8 - 4pm (doors open at 3 p.m.) at Bijou Theater. Free and open to the public.

Design SLAM! Knoxville Vol. 4 - https://www.facebook.com/events/169345296911554/, Sponsored by Messer Construction
Design SLAM! Knoxville is a live fast-paced architectural competition of design prowess and presentation. DSKv4 will pit teams from Knoxville’s architecture firms against one another to solve a Knoxville design challenge. Teams will be given 1.5 hours to come up with and present their solution to the audience and a panel of guest judges for both juried and a people’s choice favorites. Come, grab a beer, and root for your favorite team.
Wednesday, April 12 - 5:30pm to 7:30pm @ Schulz Brau Brewing Company, Free and open to the public.

The Design Symposium - https://www.facebook.com/events/210453736101020/, What Makes a Livable City?
Sponsored by Tennessee Lighting Sales. As the pace of Knoxville’s development accelerates there are critical questions to ask. Each year the AIA Design Symposium tackles one of these questions. This year our presenters are provided 7 minutes each to answer the question: What makes a livable city? Answers range from the role of public places, density development, walkability, and city identifying amenities.
Moderator – George Dodds, Professor at the University of Tennessee, College of Architecture and Design and Author of the Architecture Matters column in the Knoxville Mercury
Friday, April 14 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm at The Square Room, Free and open to the public.

Mid-Mod Home Tour - https://www.facebook.com/events/799509310206331/, Self-paced driving tour
It was the era of the ‘Mad Men.’ Mid-century modern design embodied the optimism of America following the Second World War and was decidedly about looking forward with a belief in the future. This spirit influenced everything from furniture to fashion and graphic design to industrial design, but most people best associate the style with Architecture. And the world is still crazy for it. How about you, are you mad about Mid-century Modern Design? Then join us for this rare opportunity to see the interiors and gardens of 7 homes designed by local and national architects, while highlighting the time period’s distinctive architecture, design, and lifestyle.
Saturday, April 15, Check-in opens 9:00am at Mid Mod Collective and Wild Love Bakehouse
Houses open at 10:00am and close at 4:00pm; Check-in will close at 12:30pm. $10 per person, children are free.

"Focus on what surrounds you" - https://www.facebook.com/events/1929677433932391/, #iLookUpKnox Instagram Contest
What do you see when you look up? Look up from the chaos of everyday life. Take in everything around you. Show us what you see. This campaign challenges us to think of Architecture as a Solution. The buildings and spaces create a time stamp of what life is like in that moment. Post your photographs on Instagram with the hashtag #ilookupknox between March 15th-April 15. Winners will be announced at the Annual AIA Awards Gala on April 21st. We want to know what you see when you "look up" in Knoxville. Other hashtags to include: #ilookup #archweek17 #architecture #aiaetn #iSeeTNArch

Best New Architecture in East Tennessee - People’s Choice Vote - https://www.facebook.com/events/1559006177458023/, AIA East Tennessee Design Awards Program
Cast your vote for the best new architecture in East Tennessee. The poll opens on April 8th and runs through 6pm on April 21st.

http://www.archweek.aiaetn.org

Set against the historic backdrop of Knoxville’s Old City, this three-day festival spotlights performances from the most exciting emerging acts in American roots music – encompassing blues, country, jazz, rock, indie, and everything in between. 2017 artists include Young the Giant, Gogol Bordellow, Dave Barnes, and more! Pass required. www.rhythmnbloomsfest.com

Dogwood Arts, 123 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

In conjunction with the 10th annual "Farragut Book Fest for Children", held at Founders Park at Campbell Station, the Friends of the Knox County Library will host a used book sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on Friday and Saturday, April 7 and 8.

Limited parking will be available at Founders Park at Campbell Station; additional parking will be available at Farragut Assembly of God, located across the street from the park on Campbell Station Road. In case of inclement weather, please call 966-2420 for the status of the event. For more information go to townoffarragut.org/583/Community-Events, or contact Special Events and Program Coordinator Lauren Cox at lcox@townoffarragut.org or 966-7057.

Sculptures created by 11 University of Tennessee art students that incorporate materials provided by steel recycler Gerdau will be on public display April 6-19 at the Knoxville Convention Center.

“The Art of Recycling” sculpture exhibition celebrates April’s National Recycling Month and is a partnership among Gerdau, Dogwood Arts and the University of Tennessee Sculpture Program. The artworks will be unveiled in a public ceremony Thursday, April 6, at 10 a.m.

Dogwood Arts, 123 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

Sculptures created by 11 University of Tennessee art students that incorporate materials provided by steel recycler Gerdau have been unveiled and are on public display through April 19 at the Knoxville Convention Center. “The Art of Recycling” sculpture exhibition celebrates April’s National Recycling Month and is a partnership among Gerdau, Dogwood Arts and the University of Tennessee Sculpture Program.

In January, Gerdau’s Knoxville steel mill opened its scrap yard to the students, along with UT associate professor Jason Brown, visiting lecturer Jessica Ann and 3D area technician Erin Tucker. The students selected 4,860 pounds of discarded metal and steel, provided free of charge by Gerdau, and gained inspiration for new works of art.

“Most people don’t realize how ‘green’ our business really is,” said Johnny Miller, vice president and general manager of Gerdau’s steel mill in Knoxville. “This project provides an excellent opportunity to support these students and the arts, celebrate National Recycling Month and educate the public about our business.”

Students at the dig were enthusiastic about the project and grateful for the opportunity. "To create something of beauty and purpose from what many would consider to be ugly waste is an exciting prospect,” art student Thomas Colabella said. This marks the third year the partnership has culminated in a public art exhibition, and the Knoxville Convention Center remains an enthusiastic supporter of the project.

Participating UT students include Colabella, Reid Arrowood, Mary Badillo, Zachary Edwards, Mary Hallman, Holly Kelly, Otis Kennedy, Elena Lee, Cara McKinley, Hannah Shimabukuro and Drew Shorter.

Around the world, Gerdau transforms millions of metric tons of scrap into steel every year. The company’s Knoxville mill recycles discarded steel into reinforcing bar, which is used to support concrete in new bridges, buildings and other structures.

Directed by Robert Harrison; details coming soon!

Lyric Theatre: 320 Grove Street, Loudon, TN 37774. Information: 865-458-9020, http://www.lyrictheatrecompany.org/

Presented by Concord Christian School Theatre Arts - Journey "under the sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Disney's The Little Mermaid JR., adapted from Disney's Broadway production and the motion picture (featuring the enormously popular Academy Award-winning music and delightfully charming book and lyrics). Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories, Disney's The Little Mermaid JR. is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance. In a magical kingdom fathoms below, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice.

April 6-7 at 7 PM, April 8 at 3 PM. Tickets $12 at the door or online at http://www.concordchristianschool.org/creativity/the-little-mermaid.cfm. Concord Christian School, 11704 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37934.

Recent works by painter Harriet Howell and mixed-media artist Marilyn Avery Turner will be on display during April. An opening reception for the featured artists will begin at 5:30 p.m., April 7, during Downtown Knoxville’s monthly First Friday Art Walk, with complimentary refreshments, and music performed by Matt Tilley.

Harriet Howell’s work uses color and movement to express the emotional content of the landscape. She prefers plein air painting which, she feels, encourages an interactive relationship between the artist and the subject. She teaches classes in pastel landscape drawing and in experimental water-media painting. Her art training includes a BFA from the University of Tennessee and studying with master painters over many years. She has taught in pastel landscape drawing at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts for many years.

Marilyn Avery Turner draws from numerous sources, ancient and contemporary, to blend personal experiences with archetypal images. The use of drawings and statuary from early Mexican cultures reflects her abiding attraction to the country where she spent a formative part of her childhood. With a background in painting and collage, her use of monoprinting has become an ideal synthesis for these two mediums.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Th & Sa 11-6, Fri 11-9, Su 1-6. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net or www.Facebook.com/Art.Market.Gallery

By day, Casey Fox is the celebrated manager of Library Fund Development for the Knox County Public Library. Featured as one of the Knoxville News-Sentinel’s “40 under 40,” Fox gets kudos for her fund-raising efforts, particularly a capital campaign to help digitize the library’s historic archives. But when she’s not busy contributing to the Library’s mission, Fox has a secret identity, and it’s one that Tomato Head has proudly unveiled and put on public display in our Market Square restaurant. Casey Fox is also a photographer.

Now through May 1st, Fox presents her first solo exhibit in our downtown location. Titled “Landscaped,” the exhibit features a collection of images that Fox captured over the last 7 or 8 years but without intending to create a series. Fox says it was only after the fact that she realized that not only did she have enough shots for a show, she had also uncovered a style: “I was just looking back through my pictures and realized, ‘oh this is what I do’. I remember sitting on the couch once lookin

"Landscaped", an exhibit of photographs by Casey Fox will be on view at the downtown Knoxville Tomato Head Restaurant from April 3rd to April 30th, 2017. The exhibit will then display at the West Knoxville Gallery Tomato Head from May 2nd to June 5th, 2017. Tomato Head, 12 Market Square (865-637-4067) and 7240 Kingston Pike, Suite 172 (865-584-1075), in Knoxville. http://thetomatohead.com

At Blackberry Farm Gallery, Clayton Center for the Arts. 3D art ceramic

Barron Hall graduated from the University of South Florida with his BFA in 3D studies followed by an MFA in Ceramics from The University of Tennessee in 2008. His work has been exhibited nationally including solo and group exhibits in New York, Maryland, Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida and Alabama. Past collaborations include sculptural installation projects with Robmat Butler as The Art Team. He is an Adjunct Instructor of Ceramics and 3-D Sculpture at Maryville College and is the owner/operator of Mighty Mud Studios in Knoxville. Barron originally hails from Auburn, Ala. and grew up in both Alabama and Florida. Barron currently resides in Knoxville, Tenn. with his family. http://barronart.net/

A reception will be held in the galleries on Fri., April 28 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., in conjunction with Downtown Maryville’s “Friday Night Lights” event.

Clayton Center for the Arts: 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Information: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com