Calendar of Events

On Friday, April 7, from 5 - 7 p.m., The Art Guild at Fairfield Glade will host a special Opening Reception for the Spring Bounty Art Show. Progressive Savings Bank is sponsoring this show and providing the awards. This show is special because the viewers will cast their votes for their favorite artworks beginning on April 7 and ending on April 28. Winners will then be announced to the public.

The Opening Reception will feature a large assortment of hors d’oeuvres and wine, soda, and water to attendees. This event is free and open to the public. The PCAC is a great place to shop for art including paintings, photographs, pottery, jewelry, wood carvings, and greeting cards.

Art Guild at Fairfield Glade at the Plateau Creative Arts Center, 451 Lakeview Drive, Fairfield Glade, TN 38558. Hours: M-Sa 9-4. Information: 931-707-7249, www.artguildfairfieldglade.net

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

A public reception will take place on Friday, April 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM to which the public is invited to meet the artists and view the artwork. The First Friday reception also features jazz music by Vance Thompson & Friends from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Black Box.

Little River Art & Frame, a family owned business located in West Knoxville, was begun by artist and art broker Thomas Cover. Since its beginnings in 2006, Little River has become the leading supplier of Fine Art to the Knoxville Interior Design industry. Outside of Knoxville, their artists reach interior design houses and fine furniture galleries in ten surrounding states with an ever-increasing client base. Little River recently launched an international website selling fine art giclees from originals created by their artists. In addition, Little River owns several collections of 18th and 19th Century bird, botanical and equine prints. They handcraft frames for their pieces from the finest moldings, and craft one-of-a-kind art boxes from the spare pieces.

Little River Artists include: Thomas Cover, Aleksandr Cherepov, J Austin Jennings, Michael Cover, Annalee Bohon, and Brittany Elle. The exhibition will feature various styles, which make up an impressive collection of contemporary art with an eye toward interior trends. They use a variety of mediums including oil, acrylic, glass and wood. While specializing in large scale atmospheric abstract paintings, they also feature more traditional landscape oils as well as a beautiful array of wooden “frame boxes”. For more information, visit www.littleriverartists.com/

On display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Friday, April 14, for the holiday. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543, or visit the Web site at www.knoxalliance.com.

A public reception will take place on Friday, April 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM to which the public is invited to meet the artists and view the artwork. The First Friday reception also features jazz music by Vance Thompson & Friends from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Black Box.

Raised in a small coal mining community in southern West Virginia, Sharon Gillenwater was always interested in art. While living in Fort Worth, Texas, she saw an ad in the local paper stating, "If you can hold a brush, I can teach you to paint." This was the beginning - she started to pursue her passion for art. She lived at the Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio for several years before moving to Kentucky and then to Knoxville. While in Knoxville, Gillenwater took lessons from several teachers and eventually found her way to Bob Ross, where she became a Bob Ross instructor. Her next move was to Johnnie Liliedahl at the Liliedahl School of Classical Oil Painting. Sharon completed her training at the school and became a certified Liliedahl Fine Art Instructor. She teaches locally and in her home studio as well as nationally at workshops, seminars and conventions. For more information, visit www.sharongillenwaterfineart.com/.

In the field of art, Michael McKee is largely self-taught and has cultivated his talents through practice and observation. His subjects of choice are animals and landscapes, and his medium of choice is acrylic. The art of noted Sumner County wildlife artist Ralph McDonald has greatly influenced McKee since the 1970s and is likely most responsible for his current interest in wildlife art. He has attended art workshops featuring some of the best wildlife artists in the business, including Robert Bateman, Terry Isaac and Rod Frederick, and his works have won Best of Show and First Place Awards in local art shows. McKee is a native Tennessean and has been a member of the Tennessee Artists Association since 1992. For more information, visit www.michaelemckee.com.

On display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Friday, April 14, for the holiday. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543, or visit the Web site at www.knoxalliance.com.

A public reception will take place on Friday, April 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM to which the public is invited to meet the artists and view the artwork. The First Friday reception also features jazz music by Vance Thompson & Friends from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Black Box.

Renee Suich creates mixed media art including collages inspired by nature, history and the energy that surrounds us all. Early years spent in design were further fostered by time spent working at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Her work has been referred to as ‘Heritage Collage’, as she incorporates vintage imagery in a contemporary composition. “My vision starts with a story that I want to share,” says Suich. “I then use layers of my own artist-made altered paper, natural objects, and painting.” Suich now resides in East Tennessee and enjoys experimenting with new media including encaustic work. Different mediums, like encaustic work, allow her to explore color and texture in a new way. Every piece becomes a new challenge. For more information, visit www.reneesuich.com.

On display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Friday, April 14, for the holiday. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543, or visit the Web site at www.knoxalliance.com.

A public reception will take place on Friday, April 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM to which the public is invited to meet the artists and view the artwork. The First Friday reception also features jazz music by Vance Thompson & Friends from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Black Box.

Kat Lewis is an East Tennessee native who grew up in Andersonville. She studied art at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville as well as Pellissippi State Community College. She has previously worked with oil and acrylic mediums. She currently resides in Knoxville as a mother and hairstylist. Kat Lewis will display a collection of works that illustrate dreams, visions and stories of spiritual awakening and enlightenment. These illustrations of enlightenment are through the artist's perspective as well as shared experiences from others. These are experiences that go beyond the tangible, physical realm in order to touch the soul and create a new state of mind.

On display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Friday, April 14, for the holiday. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543, or visit the Web site at www.knoxalliance.com.

A public reception will take place on Friday, April 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM to which the public is invited to meet the artists and view the artwork. The First Friday reception also features jazz music by Vance Thompson & Friends from 7:00-9:00 PM in the Black Box.

The original art group was formed in 2001 by a wonderful person named Barbara West. When she died, the group decided to continue meeting in her name. Members have come from various parts of the US and other countries, as well as from Tennessee. Their list of occupations is amazing: photographers, teachers, architects, doctors, nurses, scientists, homemakers, and artists, to name just a few. Many are just starting to explore art but range all the way up to professional artists and use a variety of media. Although the common thread is art, the group tries to provide a strong sense of community – an important gift as they move through life. The exhibition includes work by Sandra Abraham, Sandy Armel, Carrie Ellen Barnes, Debbie Barnes, Beverly Burdette, Shannon Duggan, Nancy Erickson, Barbara Gray, Tony Kampwerth, Steve Romer, Bob Weir, Owen Weston, and others.

The Barbara West Portrait Group has exhibited at the Farragut Town Hall, Peace Lutheran Church, Ball Camp Baptist, and Candoro Marble. They meet every Wednesday & Saturday from 2:00-4:00 PM in Knoxville-area churches. The open studio is $5 to attend with live model; no instruction provided. For more information, please contact Debbie Barnes at 865-675-6339, or visit https://www.facebook.com/TheBarbaraWestPortraitGroup/.

On display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Friday, April 14, for the holiday. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543, or visit the Web site at www.knoxalliance.com.

Join us for the opening exhibition on First Friday, April 7, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Our new exhibit, Graphite and Colors, will feature breathtakingly intricate drawings from artist Miguel Angel Aguilar! Also, you still have a chance to see the wonderful paintings by Gabriela Toledo Anaya that were featured in March.

HoLa Hora Latina, 100 S. Gay Street, Suite 112, Knoxville, TN 37902. Viewing hours are MWF from 1-5pm. Information: 865-335-3358, www.holahoralatina.org or angiemasini@gmail.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

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.