Calendar of Events

Join us for a night of incredible comedy in the Old City!
Friendlytown Presents: Eric Dadourian, Dan Gill, and David Venhuizen!
Public · Hosted by Friendlytown

Monday, May 27, 2019 at 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
The show is 18+, 7:30pm, and a $5 suggested donation for the touring comics.
The Pilot Light, 106 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville, Tennessee 37915

Friendlytown presents a weekly comedy night, every Monday at 7:30, at the Pilot Light.
It's also a zine. And an actual imaginary place. Highly recommended.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2236950413221074/

Earlier this year, the Tennessee Medieval Faire was awarded by 9 Lakes of East Tennessee and the Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council (covering 16 counties) an Excellence in Tourism Award as the “2018 Best Annual Festival.” Now celebrating its 5th year, the Tennessee Medieval Faire invites patrons to go back in time to the High Middle Ages (circa 1190’s) and “Live the Age of Chivalry!” with Robin Hood. This outdoor interactive PG festival will spring to life on May 25 and run for three weekends, including Memorial Day.

Dates are May 25-26-27, June 1-2, 8-9. Hours are 11am-6pm ET. The Faire is located 30 miles west of Turkey Creek, near I-40 and Highway 27, at 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN. The festival will be open rain or shine.

New this year will be three themed weekends: “Warriors,” for those honoring Memorial Day weekend; “Celtic/Fantasy,” for tartan and mythical creature enthusiasts; and “Time-Travel,” for cosplay and steampunk fans. Patrons are encouraged to enter the daily costume contest, where winners will be determined by audience applause, and prizes will be awarded. If patrons would like to join Robin Hood’s merry band, they are encouraged to share their talents in the Gong Show.

The Tennessee Medieval Faire is an entertainment-oriented festival. Throughout the 8-acre village, there will be continuous live professional entertainment. In the tournament arena three times a day, Noble Cause Productions will have knights on horseback competing in games and jousting tournaments. Twice a day, Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham will compete at Human Combat Chess—playing a real chess match where the Royal Players (the street character ensemble from greater Knoxville) fight to take over the squares.

Performing on numerous stages will be the following professional comedy and stunt shows:
• Tuey Wilson—comedy stunt juggler, Minneapolis (all show days)
• Cosmo’s Fables, Fantasies & Fortunes—improv and musical comedy, Cleveland (1st and 2nd weekends)
• Einstein Simplified—longest running improv troupe in Knoxville (all days but June 8)
• The Harry Man Show—improvisational college acting troupe from UTK (June 8 only)
• In a Pickle—comedy sword-fighting show by the Royal Players (all show days)
• The Sheriff’s Variety Show—talent show by the Royal Players (all show days)

For the young at heart, there will be the following interactive puppet and folktale entertainment:
• Punch & Judy—puppet shows by Professor Brent DeWitt, International (1st and 2nd weekends)
• Willy Poore’s Penny Merriment—comedy extravaganza, Cosby (3rd weekend)
• Tales of Mythical Creatures—by Loremaster Ficticia, Knoxville (all show days but June 8)
• Tales from the Hood—Robin Hood and his friends, Royal Players (all show days)
• “Chester The Heroic Little Pig,” and “Endicott’s Revenge,” by Lars Paulson; Folktales and Fairy Tales; and “King Alfred and the Queen’s Missing Crown” by Anna Skjei—by the Royal Players

Professional Celtic/Irish and Folk music and Middle Eastern dance entertainment is listed online at https://www.tmfaire.com/list-of-acts. Schedules will be posted on the website before each weekend and will be available at the entrance on show days. Adding to the festivities will be variety of craft vendors selling their original wares: leather, costumes and accessories, metal, chainmaille, jewelry, ceramics, wooden games, soaps and oils, sketch art, face-painting, and henna tattoos, and more. All vendors accept cash and many accept credit. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase.

Entrance and beverage tickets are now available for purchase online. These include discounted season passes (buy 5 days get 2 days free) and weekend passes (buy 1 day get second day half price). These can only be purchased online and are non-transferrable. Please visit https://www.tmfaire.com/online-ticket-sales-season-passes. A buy 1 get second person in free ticket will be available for veterans and first responders only (with veteran or first responder card and additional photo ID), only at the gate on Monday, May 27, Memorial Day.

For more information, please visit www.TMFaire.com, follow the Tennessee Medieval Faire on Facebook, or call 865-376-0319.

Awaken Coffee in Knoxville’s Old City will welcome Kara Lockmiller’s musician portraits.
The opening reception will be Friday, June 7 from 6-9pm.

Kara Lockmiller's musician portraits are formed by breaking down each artist into pieces of colored shadows and highlights. They come together like puzzle pieces on canvas. Her color palettes vary for each artist depending on what she sees as she listens to their music.

Awaken Coffee is a live music venue, espresso bar, craft beer & wine bar and organic restaurant in the heart of downtown.

Awaken Coffee, 125 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902
https://www.facebook.com/events/416335659130091/

Arrowmont's workshop instructors are nationally recognized artists and university faculty. With over 150 classes being offered in a variety of media, instructors and students come to Arrowmont from across the globe to share skills and ideas, foster new thinking, artistic growth and creative camaraderie.

To honor our instructors and showcase their talent, Arrowmont presents an annual group exhibition. Their work is a true expression of Arrowmont's vision and mission - to enrich lives through art. We are privileged to celebrate our instructors and their work.

Sandra J. Blain Galleries, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

May 1, 2019 - June 30, 2019 Painting and Woodturning by Nelson Ziegler will be featured in the Westminster Presbyterian Church gallery.

Nelson Ziegler, of Sevierville, is a graduate of The Art Institute of Boston and Northwestern Academy of Watercolor. He was chosen The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage artist in 2016. He is a member of the National Watercolor Society, New England Watercolor Society, The Oil Painters of America and the American Association of Woodturners.

Westminster Presbyterian Church
6500 Northshore Drive
865-584-3957
www.wpcknox.org
Hours: Monday thru Thursday, 9 AM to 4PM
Friday, 9AM-Noon

Maple Hall Mondays featuring Will Carter will be our summer concert series.
The shows will start at 8 PM and are free. The concerts will be held at our upstairs stage, which is 21+; however, we will have one concert downstairs that will be for all ages.

05/06 Andrew Leahey ~
05/13 White Liars ~
05/20 Eleanor Reunion ~
05/27 Daje ~
06/03 songbirds ~
06/10 ryan sheley ~
06/17 evelyn jack ~
06/24 Guy Marshall ~
07/01 Mike bagetta ~
07/08 Grassically Trained *
07/15 Jubal ~
07/29 WestWend ~

* Performance will be located downstairs, all ages.
~ Performance will be located upstairs, 21 and up.

414 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 249-8454
https://www.maplehallknox.com/

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE CLOSING RECEPTION: JUNE 28, 5 - 7 PM

In Her Domain is an exhibition featuring work by Helen Geglio and Angela Caldwell. Both artists seek to honor and represent the work women do. The two artists first met as a result of being paired for this show by gallery manager Kelsey Dillow - and have forged a lasting friendship as a result.

Read Kelsey Dillow's interview and learn more about how this connection has influenced the exhibit and their future work on Arrowmont's blog: www.arrowmont.org/in-her-domain-blog/

GEOFFREY A. WOLPERT GALLERY, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, www.arrowmont.org

Opening for the new exhibit will be First Friday, May 3, 5-9 PM

Sandy Hoeft is a landscape artist who lived in Alaska for many years. She recently retired to the Cumberland Plateau in beautiful Tennessee. Sandy gets her inspiration for her paintings from hiking and traveling the back roads. She loves the ever changing skies and enjoys painting large clouds. The barns and farmland in Tennessee have been her focus since retiring.

Lynn Straka, DVM, is a mixed media jewelry artist and practicing small animal veterinarian. "I began making natural and glass crystal beaded jewelry in about 2000—helping me through a tumultuous time. Jewelry-making quickly became a second vocation and I began selling my jewelry at craft shows. Ten years later, I expanded my work and began to transition from stringing beads to creating my jewelry by letter and word stamping on sterling silver and copper. I opened an Etsy shop, making and selling personalized pendant necklaces, bridal gifts and other unique pieces. At that time, I was self-taught, researching and learning technique and materials use on my own. I’ve always felt comfortable using small hand tools in these techniques, because the tools are similar to the tools I use in my veterinary surgical practice. In 2008, my husband and I moved to East Tennessee. I discovered Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and began taking yearly classes to develop my skills as an artist and metalworker. Having personal instruction reinforced my base knowledge and encouraged me to ask questions and trouble shoot subjects that have challenged me. The jewelry I make is adornment – created to produce joy to the wearer. Designs influenced by nature, they may evoke a memory, affirm a belief, or be an extension of the wearer’s personality."

The Art Market Gallery features two artists every month. These exhibits are new works by the artists, and they are often present to talk about their work and inspirations.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Th & Sa 11-6, Fri 11-9, Su 1-5. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net

Walt Fieldsa - Past and Present
Opening May 3rd 5:00-9:00
MAY 3 2019 – JUNE 1 2019

Silent Auction May 3rd-May 31st

Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 Broadway St, Knoxville, TN 37917. Hours: Fri-Sat, 10-6, by appointment, or when the "open" sign is illuminated. Information: 865-556-8676, www.BroadwayStudiosAndGallery.com

A reception will take place on Friday, May 3, from 5:00-9:00 PM as part of First Friday activities.

Two photographers born in 1951, Sam Stapleton and John Vavruska, grew up in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains: Sam, on the western side in the town of Kingsport, TN and John, on the eastern slopes in Waynesville, NC. Both were heavily influenced by the culture and natural beauty of the southern Appalachians, both subsequently obtained professional degrees from the University of Tennessee (Sam in accounting and John in engineering), and both began their serious pursuit of photography in the early 1970’s. When they met in 1976, it was their shared love of photography that provided the foundation for their friendship, and for two years, they shared a house and a darkroom they built themselves. Time separated them: Vavruska was drawn to the American west in the early 1980’s, served in the Peace Corps in Nepal, and then settled in Santa Fe where he now resides with his wife of 30+ years; Stapleton remained close to his roots in Knoxville, where he too resides with his wife of 30+ years.

Yet with all of their similarities, the two have drifted apart in their photographic vision and now occupy virtual opposite ends of the photographic spectrum. Vavruska has remained primarily in the analog (film) world and has grown in the direction of large (4 x 5 inch) format black and white photography, capturing the grandeur of the natural landscape through hand-crafted gelatin silver prints. Conversely, Stapleton remained with small (35mm) format photography but converted whole-heartedly to digital technology where he continues to focus on the intimate color imagery of the East Tennessee landscape. While one’s images convey a high level of detail and tonal gradation, another’s use the spontaneity of the smaller format to explore the abstract and impressionistic capabilities of the medium. Hence the exhibit, Grace and Grandeur, is presented to share their story – the story of two men with a common photographic grounding that has matured into expressions of widely divergent visions. For more information, please visit www.johnvavruska.com and www.samstapletonphotography.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. CLOSED Monday May 27. Information: (865) 523-7543 or www.knoxalliance.com.

A reception will take place on Friday, May 3, from 5:00-9:00 PM as part of First Friday activities.

This fiber and mixed media exhibition, curated by Trudi Van Dyke, features thirteen contemporary fiber artists who are juried members of the New Image Artists group. New Image is a group of artists from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC who come together to share their art and ideas. Members are active studio artists who work primarily with cloth, paper, and alternative materials.

The concept of “pairs” challenged the artists to consider their work as it developed in theme or concept and how one piece could influence the artist to create a companion piece. Unlike a diptych, each new work stands alone, and yet its voice is more fully developed when viewed as a pair that evolved from the subject, materials or some other element of the initial work. When conceiving work for Pairs, the artists experimented with relationships between subject, media and techniques. The artists began in a creative dimension without boundaries and chose a concept or subject without limits. The first work was planned and sometimes completed when the artist found a way to morph the idea, media or subject into a complementary piece. The resulting pair effectively enables viewers a more in-depth appreciation than a solitary work. For more information on New Image Artists, visit www.newimageartists.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. CLOSED Monday May 27. Information: (865) 523-7543 or www.knoxalliance.com.

A reception will take place on Friday, May 3, from 5:00-9:00 PM as part of First Friday activities.

In college, Allen Monsarrat first studied architecture but graduated with a BFA with a concentration in pottery. His first art career was as a studio potter in Friendsville, TN for 25 years, followed by a career in decorative wall finishes, faux painting, cabinetry finishing and the occasional mural project. Never one to sit still, he turned to fine art painting which has developed into a concentration on representational work, including photorealism (paintings intended to look like photographs).

Monsarrat’s source material comes from photographs he has taken, which allows him to carefully design a composition and have plenty of information to include as much detail as he chooses. More importantly, as his reference source, a photograph allows him to study the nuances of color, light and reflection and how they change across a seemingly uniformly colored surface. Monsarrat uses translucent layers of paint to build depth unachievable with ink on paper. He began working in pastels in 2018, and for this exhibition, he will display oil paintings and pastels that depict iconic Knoxville scenes. For more information, please visit www.monsarratart.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. CLOSED Monday May 27. Information: (865) 523-7543 or www.knoxalliance.com.