Calendar of Events

Reception Friday, February 16, 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Artists’ talks at 6:30 pm.

Alyssa Johnson
There is a power in lines on maps, in three feet of fencing full of holes, in a velvet rope or a cement block. In this power, there are also rules. This wall is okay to climb over—that wall is not. You can paint on that wall, but you cannot touch this one. These are rules Johnson wants to define—to climb into, to push until she meets an edge, to make room for one or two or more people. She hopes to set the groundwork for this delineation by isolating the walls she interacts with daily, to draw them out of their repeated normalcy and question their necessity. There are two sides to every stance—therefore, she uses both realism and abstraction. Abolishing dividers leans toward naivety, yet holding all trust in borders rings with paranoia. Her primary hope is that a wide expression of style will allow for an exploration of both ends of the spectrum, prompting us to locate where our own feet stand in relation to either ignorance or distrust.

In December of 2017, Alyssa graduated from the University of Tennessee’s School of Art with a BFA in Studio Art and a psychology minor. Her past work has been featured in Phoenix Literary Magazine and included in group exhibitions in Tennessee; most recently, she has been displaying in New Jersey. While her focus is primarily on painting and drawing, Alyssa is also serving as studio manager to a local potter in Nashville while still maintaining her own practice in her studio at home.

Brandon McBath
McBath digs for treasure -- the images -- then makes the map to it. He compares this to viewing a cluster of clouds: the mind connects it with an image, and then one sees that image in the clouds. He wants viewers to discover hidden images and be observant of his clouds. He makes large-scale scroll-esque drawings that fill the field of vision from up close or afar. Intuitive gestural lines and ink-pours create a unique matrix or “sky.” Then, as he finds images, he reinforces them and makes them more readily available to the viewer.

Brandon McBath graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2016 with a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in drawing and a minor in art history. He was raised in East Tennessee by Tammy McBath, of Tammy’s Fish and Fried Green Tomatoes, and a loving older brother. After his father’s death in 1997, his mother worked hard to support her two children. During this time, Brandon was highly influenced by the art within television, anime, and video games. This later accompanied his faith in Jesus Christ which has shaped his worldview alongside his church family at Beech Grove Baptist Church. He teaches middle school art at Concord Christian School in Farragut.

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

The second in a three-part series presented by the University of Tennessee Center for the Study of War and Society in partnership with the East Tennessee Historical Society.

The Path to War: How the First World War Created Modern America | A Lecture with Michael Neiberg, PhD
Sunday, February 11, 2018 -- Time TBD

Only after lengthy debate and soul-searching about national identity did America enter the Great War. This talk will track American responses to the 1914 outbreak of the war, the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, and debates on national preparedness in 1916. By 1917, most Americans, even those who opposed the war, came to see belligerence as America's only option. Neiberg is a professor of history at the United States Army War College.

The programs are sponsored by the Library of America's World War I and American Grant, received by CSWS in conjunction with the State of Tennessee World War I Commission. 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

Sunday, February 11, at 5:00PM, the Church of the Ascension presents the Washington Cornett & Sackbutt Ensemble with Michael Holmes, Artistic Director.

Church of the Ascension, 800 S Northshore Dr, Knoxville, TN 37919. Information: 865-588-0589, www.knoxvilleascension.org

Grammy nominated Blue Collar comedian Bill Engvall will be performing his new stand-up routine for 2 shows at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum on February 11, 2018 at 3 PM & 6 PM. (Talk about the perfect Valentine's Day gift!) Tickets can be purchased at our box office, by calling 865-215-8999.

Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Jr Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37915. Information: www.knoxvillecoliseum.com

Each Second Sunday of the month at 2pm, docents offer free guided tours of Higher Ground, Currents, and traveling exhibitions to the public. In order to reach a broader audience the KMA offers Spanish speaking tours once a month at 3pm. From 1-4pm there will also be art activities for all ages!

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

Faculty and guest artist recital; International award-winning concert artist Pei-Chun Liao will perform Chopin's 24 Preludes and Philip Martin's 12 Short Preludes, then joined by UT faculty member, Chih-Long Hu-piano, for a duo program of works by Ravel, Milhaud, and Gershwin.

Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie L. Haslam Music Center

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

Good Sport Night, Sunday, February 11, 2018, 3:00-5:00 PM.

CALLING ALL GOOD SPORTS!
Here's the deal. You purchase a ticket to a mystery event. Show up to The Central Collective at the specified date and time, and be ready for anything. Past events have included: a live studio game show, a walking tour of North Knoxville, live music with swing dance lessons, a yacht trip on the Tennessee River and a mini horse petting zoo. These are events for folks who are curious, adventurous, and like trying new things & meeting new people.

Worried that you won't be able to participate because of dietary restrictions, physical ability or other preferences? We'll do our best to give you the information you need to decide if this month's Good Sport Night is right for you. If you have any concerns, don't hesitate to give us a shout! If you show up and cannot participate for an unforeseen reason, we're happy to give you a credit for a future Good Sport Night. Unless otherwise noted, these events are not programmed for children.

Location: The Central Collective
Alcohol: BYOB
Food/Dietary Restrictions: Light Snacks // not suitable for gluten-free/vegan diets
Dress Code: Whatever you please.
Physical Activity: Low (some standing)
Good Sport Level: 2/5

The Central Collective, 923 N. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-236-1590, info@thecentralcollective.com, www.thecentralcollective.com

Join Denise of Yellow Optimist Fitness for a fun, calorie-torching workout! We'll be powering through circuits centered around High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), which has been proven to shred fat, increase metabolism, and improve heart health. You'll also learn some of the best moves for cardio conditioning, strength development, agility, flexibility, and balance. All you need is water, a mat, a towel, and your amazing body! Be sure to invite a friend! $10, cash only at the door.

To reserve your spot, visit https://www.paypal.me/yellowoptimistfitdh/10
Please contact Denise at (901) 827-2646 or denise.nichelle@gmail.com for more information. Follow her on Instagram @yellowoptimistfitness

Feb 10 & Feb 24

GO! Contemporary Dance Works presents the return of the wildly popular ALICE, February 10 and 11 at the Bijou Theatre.

Artistic Director Lisa Hall McKee describes GO!’s version “exciting and daring, animated and wildly intense.” Showcasing vibrant costuming, elaborate scenery and the use of animated projection, GO!’s Alice guarantees to pull its audience down the rabbit hole to meet the odd and familiar characters such as the White Rabbit, Red Queen and curious Caterpillar, Absolem. A large cast of 45 dancers, this story will be told through GO!’s fearless approach to choreography, both in the air and on the ground. Known for the use of projection in its full length ballets, GO! will blur the lines between fantasy and reality in scenes such as the pool of tears, Alice falling down the well and the Red Queen scene.

GO! Contemporary Dance Works will be performing Alice- A Revolutionary Ballet on Saturday, Feb 10 2PM and 7:30PM and Sunday Feb 11 3PM at the Bijou Theatre. Tickets from $17 to $27 in advance. More information at www.gocontemporarydance.com or by calling 865-539-2475. Tickets go on sale Wed. Jan 10th. All seats reserved.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Downtown Knoxville’s Blue Slip Winery & Bistro, located in The Historic Southern Railway Station at 306 West Depot Avenue, is hosting a Clever By Half Productions (CBH) original murder mystery, HINT. Patrons will have three chances to enjoy this fan-favorite murder on February 9, 10, and 14 at 6:30pm.

HINT is the fast-paced story of a dinner party gone awry. When Mr. Brown invites six of his dearest friends to a fete, they expect to paint the town red. However, once it’s clear that blackmail is the name of the game, murder is added to the menu. So, who finally showed their true colors? Was Mr. Pine green with envy? Is the widowed
Mrs. Snow as innocent as she seems? Did Senator Wheaton have the guts or was he too yellow-bellied for such a crime?

The entire event takes place around the diners. Over several courses, audiences will follow the clues and then attempt to catch the killer red-handed during CBH’s signature device, an interactive interrogation with the performers.

In addition to prizes for rooting out the culprit, Blue Slip will present awards those who come in their best thematic or Valentine attire.
6pm Doors and Bar is Open
6:30pm Show Begins Promptly with Salads and Charcuterie
7:30pm Buffet Dinner followed by Dessert
Reserved Seating — $50.00 per person or $90.00 per couple.
To reserve for individual dates, please follow the appropriate link:
February 9 — https://www.facebook.com/events/1790099737669946
February 10 — https://www.facebook.com/events/422115768191408
February 14 — https://www.facebook.com/events/201978887033919
For more information Blue Slip Winery & Bistro (https://www.facebook.com/BlueSlipWinery) on Facebook.

Based on the original Broadway production that ran for over 13 years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, and the Academy Award-winning motion picture, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. is a fantastic adaptation of the story of transformation and tolerance. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. features some of the most popular songs ever written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice.

Primary Players presents this tale as old as time. Directed by John Cherry, Music Direction by Susan Daves, Choreography by Dana Wham and Stage Management by Lisa Blair.

Beauty and the Beast JR is presented by special arrangement with MTI Shows, NYC. Primary Players is a 501(c)3 non-profit children’s theatre group and can be found on Facebook or at www.PrimaryPlayers.com.

Children 5 and under are Free, however a ticket is required.
Clayton Center for the Arts: 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804. Information/tickets: 865-981-8590, www.ClaytonArtsCenter.com

Reception to be held March 16, 2018 from 5-7pm.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts announces Haiku / by Hand, a dual exhibition of works by Nicole Jacquard and Harlan W. Butt displayed in the Geoffrey A. Wolpert Gallery.

Nicole Jacquard explores themes of memory, ornamentation, and the souvenir through her mixed-media jewelry work. She uses materials such as upcycled fabrics, thread, enamel and a variety of metals to reference the dichotomy of the handmade versus the mass-produced. Jacquard questions how an object with one supposed purpose can transcend its own function when nostalgia and personal meanings are attached.

Harlan W. Butt combines vessels with poetry as a way to explore humankind’s relationship with the natural world. His vessels, made from copper, silver, bronze and brass, reflect the sensory experience of the natural landscape. Butt conveys the beauty and mystery found in nature through his use of plant and animal imagery with a keen attention to color texture. The vessels are accompanied by haikus written by Butt, which record the unique human experience of being fully present in the wilderness.

Together, the works of Jacquard and Butt create a compelling dialog about what we choose to take away from our individual experiences. Be it a tangible memento with which we project a specific memory of place, or the memory itself, used as inspiration to create something new.
Nicole Jacquard is currently Area Head and an Associate Professor at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and was the President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths from 2015-2017. She received her first MFA from the University of Michigan in 1991, and her second in 1995 while on a Fullbright Scholarship to Australia at RMIT University in Melbourne. In 2004, Nicole returned to RMIT and completed her Ph.D. in Fine Arts. Nicole was awarded a second 2017-2018 Fullbright Scholarship to Scotland. See more of Jacquard’s work on her website, www.nicolejacquard.com.

Harlan W. Butt maintains a studio in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. He has been creating work for over 40 years in metals and enamel, specializing in vessels. Harlan was a Regents Professor of Art at the University of North Texas, where he retired in 2017 after teaching for 40 years. He served as Artist-in-Residence at Denali National Park in 2010 and at the Grand Canyon in 2014. He will be an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park in the summer of 2018. See more of Harlan’s work on his website, harlanwbutt.com.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org