Calendar of Events

PetSafe Brand, a Knoxville-based pet product manufacturer, will host its sixth-annual Ties & Tails Gala on Thursday, September 28, 2017. This is the second year the black-tie event will benefit Human Animal Bond in Tennessee (H.A.B.I.T.), a non-profit organization that focuses on outreach programs and research in East Tennessee.

Members of the Knoxville community and their furry friends are invited to join PetSafe and H.A.B.I.T. from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The Mill and Mine at 227 W. Depot Ave. in Knoxville. The pet-friendly event will feature music, casino tables, food and beverages, including beer, wine and a signature drink. Event attendees can also participate in a silent auction, in which 100 percent of proceeds will benefit H.A.B.I.T. Tickets are $150 per person or $250 per couple and can be purchased at www.petsafe.com/gala. Info: 614-402-0909

7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Ewing Gallery of Art & Architecture, 1715 Volunteer Blvd, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996

Wisconsin-born, Michelle Grabner works in variety of mediums including drawing, painting, video and sculpture. Incorporating writing, curating and teaching with a studio practice grounded in process and productivity she has created a multi-faceted and dynamic career. As David Norr writes in the introduction to her exhibition at MoCA, Cleveland, “All of Grabner’s activities are driven by distinctive values and ideas: working outside of dominant systems, working tirelessly, working across platforms and towards community.” Grabner holds an MA in Art History and a BFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and an MFA in Art Theory and Practice from Northwestern University. She joined the faculty of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1996, and became Chair of its prestigious Painting and Drawing department in the fall of 2009. She is also a senior critic at Yale University in the Department of Painting and Printmaking. Her writing has been published in Artforum, Modern Painters, Frieze, Art Press, and Art-Agenda, among others. Grabner also runs The Suburban and The Poor Farm with her husband, artist Brad Killam. She co-curated the 2014 Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum of American Art along with Anthony Elms and Stuart Comer.

Grabner's lecture is part of the programming for the "Dual Current" exhibition at the Ewing Gallery and UT Downtown Gallery. https://www.facebook.com/events/1895272234061101/

“Will the Real Martin Luther Please Stand Up?” discussion will take place Thursday, September 28 in the St. John 23rd Catholic Student Center on the UT Campus in Knoxville, TN. Veritas UT joins with the Lutheran and Catholic campus ministries, along with the UTK Department of History, to consider the significance of Martin Luther, how he has been remembered each century, and what we can learn about the lenses we use as we exercise our memories. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the conversation begins at 7 pm. For more information or reservations call (865) 558-5773.

Ensemble concert

James R. Cox Auditorium, Alumni Memorial Bldg.

Unless otherwise noted, concerts are FREE and open to the public. The Natalie Haslam Music Center is located at 1741 Volunteer Blvd on the UT campus, and the Alumni Memorial Building is located at 1408 Middle Drive on the UT campus. *For individual or small group performances, please check the web site or call the day of the event for updates or cancellations: 865-974-5678, www.music.utk.edu/events

Something Blue is a solo exhibition of new works by Knoxville artist Mike C. Berry. This exhibition includes new paintings and drawings that expressively highlight Knoxville and its surrounding landscape.

“Something Blue” is a line taken from an Old English Rhyme with the word blue representing love and purity. Mike’s chosen subject matter clearly demonstrates this sentiment about Knoxville and is an appropriate title for his commitment to creating his unique style of work. This exhibition also marks the 10th anniversary of his successful 2007 Limited Edition Dogwood Print, “Spring in the City.”

Closing Reception on September 28 from 6-8pm
http://www.dogwoodarts.com/first-friday/

Dogwood Arts, 123 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Viewing hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30-4:30. Information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

On this field trip, we will learn about all of our garden's helpful pollinators like bees, birds, beetles, butterflies, moths, and one surprise pollinator. September is a particularly perfect month to explore one of our favorite pollinators – monarch butterflies. These orange beauties migrate through our region on the way down south to Mexico where they will spend the winter. After they've learned how to identify these creatures and their plant preferences, homeschoolers will embark on a scavenger hunt throughout the garden and even get to create their own Mason bee house.

Home Grown is the home school program for UT Gardens, Knoxville. We offer monthly sessions focused on science, nature, and garden education. Enhance your home school program with hands-on fun and educational classes.
Cost: $8 per student, parents are free

For more information and to register: UT Gardens, Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: 865-974-7151, http://utgardens.tennessee.edu

Hosted by The Knoxville History Project and Maple Hall
414 S Gay Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

Jack Neely returns to The Parlor at Maple Hall on September 28th for an intimate evening of stories and local lore concerning Knoxville Bohemia: Communities of Writers, Artists, and Musicians.

Also, The Parlor at Maple Hall bar staff will be serving up unique cocktails that pay homage to Knoxville's artistic past. You won't want to miss this!

As always, no cover charge.

Hosted by Vintage Rhythm Room
At The Phoenix Pharmacy and Fountain, 418 S Gay St SW, Ste 104, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

What's more fun than an evening of vintage swing dancing in a vintage pharmacy and soda fountain? Join us for an evening of ice cream and dancing the last Thursday of every month in downtown Knoxville at The Phoenix Pharmacy and Fountain.

7:15 We'll offer a short, simple social dance lesson to get you moving for the night
8-10 Our swing DJs will provide some great vintage swing music

$5 Admision for the evening - receive $2 off at the soda fountain/ice cream bar!
http://vintagerhythmroom.weebly.com/dance.html

The work of Asheville artist, Kathryn Gunn is a vibrant collection of color, light and reflection that comes from an intuitive place where music and mindfulness mingle with canvas, acrylic, and curiosity. Gunn only recently started painting – in fact, until last year, she thought that she couldn’t: “I have always been a lover of art and when I was younger I pursued a career in Art history, but never believed that I could be an artist.”

But when she salvaged the remains of a children’s tempura paint set, Gunn’s artistic interest started her on a path that would lead to art shows and juried events across the southeast even though the beginning of the journey was a very, very private affair that included only one set of eyes: her own.

“I took [the children’s’ paints] home with me. I just loved mixing colors. I would hide in my basement and paint on cardboard so I could throw them away as soon as I was finished and no one would ever look at anything I did.” And even when a friend lured her to a live model drawing event with a promise that the event had “really chill music and you get to drink wine,” Gunn only agreed to attend when she was assured that no one would actually see what she had drawn. The event proved to be much more than a pleasant afternoon of wine and song because when her drawing turned out to actually look like the model Gunn was moved to continue to explore her artistic side. Her subsequent experiments with drawing led to more painting and more work with color and form.

Gunn’s approach remains intuitive – she adds color based on a sense of what’s missing and remains open in terms of style and subject style. “I’m not sure that I’ve found my niche, and maybe never will as I find the next style and go ‘I want to try that out!’”

But her work is certainly informed by nature – in landscapes and even in her abstract and “Flow” works, the colors might leap from the flowers and vistas of the Appalachian Mountains. But more than that, Gunn’s work reflects a peaceful beauty, one that’s attune to her creative process. When she works, Gunn is absorbed by the present, because, she says, “When I’m painting, I lose myself in the work, lose track of time, forget to eat, completely absorbed, I don’t even know that I am sore from standing for hours and hours until I am finished. There is really no separation between me and the painting.”

You can get lost in Gunn’s paintings, too at the downtown Market Square Tomato Head through October 1st. She will then hang at the West Knoxville Tomato Head from October 3rd through November 6th.

Tomato Head, 12 Market Square (865-637-4067) and 7240 Kingston Pike, Suite 172 (865-584-1075), in Knoxville. http://thetomatohead.com

By: Anton Chekhov; New Version by Libby Appel

“If you are new to Chekhov, this version would be a marvelous introduction; for the repeat viewer, it may in some ways be a revelation.” The Five Points Star

Olga, Masha, and Irina struggle to let go of their past and to shape their future. A domineering sister-in-law, romance, soldiers, and money challenge the Prozorov family’s happiness and unity. With artful depiction of three very different women, Chekhov fascinates audiences with his deeply sensitive observations on life’s struggles.

Carousel Theatre, 1714 Andy Holt Ave on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.com. For tickets: 865-974-5161, 865-656-4444, www.knoxvilletickets.com

Co-Presented with Tennessee Consortium for International Studies. Pellissippi State Community College will host an exhibit on the lives of Oskar and Emilie Schindler, who put their own lives at risk to save 1,200 people from concentration camps during World War II. The exhibit tells the story of the Schindlers' lives -- as made famous in the film "Schindler's List" -- using texts and photographs, many never published before.

Exhibit opening date delayed: The opening of the Schindler Exhibit at Pellissippi State has been delayed. The exhibit, which was intended to arrive from Germany to Miami International Airport, was initially delayed by Hurricane Irma and subsequently by the damage in and around Miami. The exhibit's opening date has been pushed back one week to Monday, September 25. The opening reception will be from 3-5 p.m., Monday, Sept. 25. During the reception, history instructor Amanda Carr-Wilcoxson will be on hand to briefly discuss the historical impact of the Schindlers and their actions.

Hardin Valley Campus of Pellissippi State: 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Bagwell Center Gallery hours: M-F 10-6:30. Information: 865-694-6405, www.pstcc.edu/arts

Opening reception on Fri Sep 22, 6:30-8:00 PM. Free and open to the public.

Exhibit viewing hours: Tu, Th 9-5; W, F 10-5; Sat 9-1. Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartcenter.com