Calendar of Events

ONLINE

Join author/illustrator team Eleanor Scott and Adam Pernell Deal as they share how they created Knoxville Mermaid and founded Part Flamingo Press, a new Knoxville publishing house committed to elegant binding and fantastic themes.

Deal and Scott are a couple living in East Knoxville with their children and animals. Adam grew up in Loudon and is a self-taught illustrator working in ink and watercolor. Most of his drawings feature mysterious otherworldly creatures in surreal landscapes. He is best known locally for his art for the Knoxville Horror Film Festival and his album covers for independent musicians. Using no digital tools, he creates most of his work through surrealist automatism, a method of making art by opening up the movements of the pen to the subconscious. Scott majored in English at the University of Tennessee. She reported small, untold stories about nature and marginal people for Knoxville’s alternative newspapers Metro Pulse and the Knoxville Mercury. She has worked in rare, antiquarian, and secondhand bookstores her entire adult life, cataloging and handling curious books. From the beginning, Adam and Eleanor’s chemistry lay in dreaming up creative projects. They spend their time sitting at the table together drawing, writing, and listening to music.

Links to purchase hardback copies of Knoxville Mermaid will be provided.
https://knoxvillewritersguild.org/events/may2020program/

Union Ave Books and Positively Living welcome novelist Carter Sickels to discuss his new book THE PRETTIEST STAR. Carter will be joined by Julia Watts author of QUIVER. This free virtual event takes place on June 4th @ 6pm on Zoom, please send an RSVP to RSVP@unionavebooks.com to attend. Please include the the title of the book THE PRETTIEST STAR in the subject line. We will send the zoom link the day of the event.

Purchase Book Here: https://unionavebooks.indielite.org/book/9781938235627

To learn more about how Positively Living provides compassionate care to empower, promote and inspire wellness, visit https://choicehealthnetwork.org/positively-living/.

Carter Sickels is the author of the novel The Evening Hour. He is the recipient of the 2013 Lambda Literary Emerging Writer Award, and has been awarded scholarships to Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, the Sewanee Writers' Conference, VCCA, and the MacDowell Colony. His essays and fiction have appeared in various publications, including Guernica, Bellevue Literary Review, and BuzzFeed, and he is the editor of Untangling the Knot: Queer Voices on Marriage, Relationships & Identity. Carter is Assistant Professor of English at Eastern Kentucky University, where he teaches in the Bluegrass Writers Studio Low-Residency MFA program. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky.

A Virtual Talk
Thursday June 4th at 6:00pm on Zoom
Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYsfuCqqDoiHtR58FJyEXhF_xvOEYq83M5G

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Smoky Mountains were for most Knoxvillians an imposing and intimidating place - largely inaccessible and seemingly out of reach – and a place home only to mountain folk and lumbermen.

However, a growing cadre of adventurers and explorers from Knoxville weren’t daunted by the imposing peaks, but were deeply attracted to them. In an era before marked trails, formal campsites, and the concept of tourism, the Smokies became a vast uncharted playground. Early intrepid outdoorsmen climbed peaks that few had ever heard of by name, largely in isolation. By the mid-1920s onwards, groups of men and woman, mainly from Knoxville, would champion the cause for a national park there, and help make it a reality by blazing trails, serving as trail guides, capturing the flora and fauna with groundbreaking photography, documenting wildlife, and promoting the natural and cultural splendor of the area through art.

Join Paul James with the Knoxville History Project for a visual look at some of Knoxville’s intrepid adventures and explorers who, in varying degrees, have become local legends, including Jim Thompson, Carlos Campbell, Albert “Dutch” Roth, Paul J. Adams, Brockway Crouch, Harry Ijams, and possibly a few other names you’ve never heard.

KHP receives most of its financial support from members of the public who support our mission through donations, program fees, and merchandise sales. To learn more about KHP’s work and to support it,
please visit www.knoxvillehistoryproject.org or email contact@knoxhistoryproject.org

The silhouettes created for the 2020 summer “Dazzling Dogwoods: A Garden Art Exhibit,” are on display at the UT Gardens, Knoxville. All the pieces will be available for purchase at an auction that will be held in the fall. The auction will be the last phase of an art project designed to promote community participation and artist collaboration as well awareness and support for the UT Gardens.

https://tiny.utk.edu/DazzlingDogwoods

37 local amateur and professional artists creatively interpreted this year’s dogwood theme by painting or embellishing large-scale plywood dogwood silhouettes in two sizes. Artists had the option to create either a large or small form or a pair. The works have been installed throughout the UT Gardens and will be on display throughout the summer. In the fall, these beautiful, one-of-a-kind dogwood silhouettes will be sold to the public at auction.

HoLa Hora Latina Presents a Virtual First Friday Exhibit for the month of June 2020 featuring artist Becky Chaffee

Please view exhibit at www.holahoralatina.org

Artist, Becky Chaffee
During Covid times, Ms. Chaffee has been making masks “to order”, and donating earnings. Last month, she was presented an award for this work from the “Appalachian Community Fund”. “Perfect for Covid Times”, Becky has recently compiled her “music lesson” art to publish a book for music students emphasizing having fun and good practice habits. Profits for the month of June will go to HoLa Hora Latina. See “Have Fun with Your Music” reviews on Amazon including one from Knoxville’s own Fay Adams, TMTA 2016 Music Teacher of the Year.

Becky’s work is a fusion of fun and education. She likes the idea of inspiring children. To accomplish this, she uses brightly colored folk art sprinkled with humor in both illustrations and captions. Sometimes she gets side-tracked with purely humor. Because she loves requests, her subject matter has expanded from the large music collection to science and reading concepts, community, cats and dogs, wild animals, yoga, beer, weddings and holidays. Most of this virtual exhibit is slated for her 2nd Music Book, to be titled “Passion for Practice, a Mindful Music Odyssey”. Her art is mainly created with acrylics on canvas, though she enjoys incorporating mixed media. Her large collection of Music lesson art (cards and prints) come from listening to her children’s classical and jazz violin and piano lessons for many years, then her own flute lessons after her children left for college. (Both her kids, now young adults, currently practice their instruments for their own pleasure.) The science and reading concept cards come naturally as she has engineering degrees from UC Berkeley and Cornell University, and her daughter is Deputy Director of the Los Angeles Reading Partners Program.

Prior to painting, Becky created fabric music purses in the shape of musical instruments, calling her little violin purse, a “Violette”; then adding grand piano, guitar and ukulele purses. Art has become Becky’s soul. Cheerful and brightly colored, it is sold as a book, cards, prints, educational place mats, a coloring book, stickers, purses and pillows. Thru her company, MusicTeacherGifts.com (aka Violettes by Becky), Becky raises funds for music education causes. Becky holds an Annual Youth Composition Competition for ages 10 thru 18 and has distributed $1,000s in funds and prizes to youth. She has just completed her 7th year of the competition.

Becky’s work is sold in the Nashville Symphony, Brevard Music Center and San Francisco Symphony Gift Shops, Legends Gift Store in Nashville, The Maltz Jewish Heritage Museum Gift Shop in Ohio, The Knoxville Visitor Center, Knoxville Soap and Candle and music stores across the country. Send a note of your purchase from the month of June either from Amazon or Becky’s website to casahola@holafestival.org for HoLa Hora Latina to be credited with profits.

Ijams Nature Center has opened the swimming area at Mead's Quarry in phase two of the City/County reopening plan, which went into effect May 26.

River Sports Outfitters (RSO) began offering paddle rentals on the lake Memorial Day weekend. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Rentals will close due to inclement weather and will be announced on the RSO Facebook page at @RiverSportsOutfitters.

The Ijams Outpost, which offers concessions, beer and other items, will mirror RSO hours. Restrooms at the quarry remain open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Visitor Center restrooms and limited-contact gift shop/concessions purchases continue to be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All restrooms will close for short periods at set times each day to allow facilities to be cleaned and sanitized. During those times, the front lobby of the Visitor Center also will be closed.

Navitat is open Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are by appointment only.

You are encouraged to wear masks when entering the Visitor Center and while passing other people on the grounds. Ijams remains committed to the health and safety of visitors and staff, and will be evaluating reopening policies, procedures and hours; changes may be implemented at any time. www.Ijams.org or call 865-577-4717.

Every Wednesday at 8:00 PM

While we can't meet in person on Wednesday evening, we'll be hosting a weekly zoom room starting around 8 pm on Wednesdays.

Most nights we'll just be hanging out, and sometimes we'll do something like have a theme or activity night or watch a live stream concert.

To avoid the "Zoom bombing" that's been occurring we won't be posting the link publicly. Message Aliceann Talley or one of the other organizers for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2608912812682374

Zoo Knoxville is reopening to the public on Monday, May 18, with carefully planned protocols to ensure the safety of their guests, staff and animals. The zoo closed to visitors on March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In accordance with the City of Knoxville and Knox County COVID-19 Reopening Phase 1 plan, Zoo Knoxville is open for passive outdoor use only, which means no indoor areas or interactive experiences like rides and animal encounters can be offered at this time. Playground areas, including the splash pad, will also remain closed in this phase.

To control the number of guests in the zoo daily, advance purchase timed entry tickets are required. Circle of Friends members and annual passholders will continue to receive free admission but will be required to make a reservation online for a timed entry on a specific date.

The zoo has added more than 30 additional hand sanitizing stations throughout zoo grounds and restaurants have modified their ordering and delivery systems to minimize contact.

Zoo Knoxville asks all guests to take the safety of other visitors, zoo staff and the animals seriously by following CDC recommendations:
• Wearing a mask or face covering
• Washing your hands and using hand sanitizer stations throughout the zoo frequently
• Maintaining 6 feet of physical distance between groups
• Using ground markings and directional signs to maintain safe distancing in areas where people may gather
• Staying home if you are sick or in a high risk group

To show appreciation for the outpouring of care and support during the closure, Zoo Knoxville will be offering tickets at a reduced price of $14.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 4-12 and seniors over 65. Ages 3 and under are free. The zoo will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. beginning May 18, 2020. Tickets and entry times can be purchased and reserved online.

Zoo Knoxville, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Information: 865-637-5331, www.zooknoxville.org

May 14, May 28, June 11 and June 25 at 6 PM

Join us for an intimate discussion on what happens behind the scenes at Marble City Opera!

Executive Artistic Director, Kathryn Frady will be talking with guest artists who have performed and worked with Marble City Opera and finding out their favorite memories of some of YOUR favorite productions.

First up is Brian Holman on May 14: Maestro Holman conducted MCO's most recent production of Shadowlight and also conducted the beloved production of La Traviata at Historic Westwood.

Next is Vincent Davis on May 28: Vincent is no stranger to Marble City Opera and has performed the roles of James Baldwin, in Shadowlight, Joe in Blue Monday, and King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors.

https://www.facebook.com/events/277947436572476/

It's so good to be back! We've missed you enormously, and we're thrilled to welcome you back to the gallery! New creations, new makers, and new hours. We have so much to share!

UPDATED HOURS: TUES-SAT 10:00-5:30

New arrivals are on view in the gallery now! Plus, we've designed a Small Works space to make it easier to support your favorite artists. We're celebrating with a fresh look on our walls — be sure to stop in & enjoy it with us! Also, while we continue to embrace new health standards to ensure your health and safety, we remain committed to making custom framing accessible and enjoyable. We will do everything in our power to make your custom framing experience pleasant and fun! Please don't hesitate to let us know how we can help you best.

The District Gallery & Framery, 5113 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 200-4452 or www.TheDistrictGallery.com

Tuesdays at 2 PM

Although our doors are still closed for regular visitation, we'll continue to offer our Live from the Parlor series! Once a week, we'll take a deep dive into the history of Mabry-Hazen House, get up close and personal with the original family collection, and share our stories with you.

Virtual tours will broadcasted via Facebook Live every Tuesday at 2pm! Look for the link at 1:55pm on each day of the tour.

Have particular artifact or story you'd like to know more about? Let us know by messaging us and we'll do our best to incorporate your request into our schedule!

https://www.facebook.com/events/244801236578936/

Old Gray Cemetery located in downtown Knoxville occupies 13 acres of beauty and history. The cemetery was founded in 1850 and dedicated in 1852 when the first 40 lots were sold at public action. Today Old Gray clearly depicts Knoxville’s history and provides an important example of cemetery planning and design during the rural cemetery or garden movement.
The Ella Albers Fountain has been recently restored and serves as the anchor on the main drive and the centerpiece of Old Gray. The original fountain was erected in 1890 by A. J. Albers in memory of his 37-year-old wife. The symbolism of the Victorian fountain is twofold, representing both the respect for the memory of the dead and also offering hope and inspiration to the living. The original fountain was dismantled during World War II and the metal was used in the war effort.
You can stroll or drive through the winding avenues of Old Gray and see the excellent examples of Victorian art and architecture. The cemetery is a mixture of unmarked graves to massive monuments and mausoleums which honor the lives of those buried there.
The massive oaks and hackberry trees are part of a wide variety of trees and vegetation at Old Gray that are living witnesses to the history of Knoxville since before the Civil War at which time this area was an open pasture. Thanks to the vision of those who lived then we can now enjoy the park setting that these trees have created.
You are invited to take a walk back through history and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Old Gray. Our automatic gates currently open at 7 AM and close at 5 PM.

https://www.facebook.com/oldgraycemetery

Old Gray Cemetery, 543 North Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-522-1424, www.oldgraycemetery.com