Calendar of Events

Knoxville’s “songwriter’s songwriter” and first Poet Laureate R. B. Morris with his band will launch the Big Ears Festival’s new series of streaming concerts and events from the stage of the city’s iconic 111-year-old Bijou Theatre on Friday, August 21, 2020. Joined by multi-instrumentalist Greg Horne, bassist Daniel Kimbro, and percussionist Hunter Deacon, R. B. will perform the richly textured, cinematic “dust bowl” songs from his acclaimed new record, Going Back To The Sky. Released on CD and vinyl back in January, Singular Recordings is releasing the full recording to streaming services for the first time on Friday, August 14.

Lucinda Williams called Morris “the greatest unknown songwriter in the country” and, indeed, has been widely heralded by his peers while maintaining a passionate and devoted cult following for decades. The late John Prine signed R. B. to his Oh Boy label, releasing his first full- length recording, Take That Ride, back in the 1990s. A few years ago, Prine also recorded R. B.’s song, ‘That’s How Every Empire Falls’, which was then covered by Marianne Faithfull, encouraged by the late producer (and R. B. fan) Hal Willner. Steve Earle said simply, “R. B. Morris is the reason I started writing poetry.”
In addition to his body of recordings, Morris has published several books of poetry — as well as the play, ‘The Man Who Lives Here is Loony’, an homage to fellow Knoxville literary icon, James Agee. Morris was the University of Tennessee’s Jack E. Reese Writer-in-Residence from 2004 – 2008, was inducted into the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame in 2009 and served as Knoxville’s inaugural Poet Laureate from 2016-2018. R. B. has performed on several occasions at the Big Ears festival, especially in 2016 and 2017, when he played with his band, performed poetry and spoken word, and led a program exploring aspects of the sometimes mysterious and elusive cultural history of the city.

The concert stream of R. B. Morris live from the Bijou will be available through NoonChorus. Tickets are priced at $10 (plus service fees) in advance, then $12 (plus service fees) on the day of performance. After the initial broadcast on Friday, August 21, there will be replays of the concert beginning at 10pm that evening and continuing until 12 midnight on Monday, August 24. For information and links to the stream go to www.bigearsfestival.org
Proceeds from the stream benefit the Big Ears Festival, the Bijou Theatre, and the artists.

Instructor: Shiyana Mahendra

Give wheel throwing a go in this hour and a half workshop! We take care of the hard part (centering and trimming) and you get your hands in clay (short nails recommended). Each student makes 1 cup, 1 bowl, and 1 plate. Work will be fired and glazed in a color of your choice from available studio glazes and ready for pick up within 1 month after class.

$50

Mighty Mud, 126 and 127 Jennings Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-595-1900, https://mightymud.com/workshops/

Friday at 3 PM – 7 PM
11 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902

Shop a curated assortment of leather goods and stylish masks, designed to empower humans by spreading kindness & encouraging self-love. https://www.facebook.com/events/299221314497163/

Free! Join us to learn what progress has been made on the priorities outlined in the Chamber's five-year strategic vision, Path to Prosperity, and take the opportunity to virtually network with area professionals.

Thu, August 27, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT

The Knoxville Chamber (TN) offers more than 60 events a year focused on business-related topics. Learn more about us by visiting www.knoxvillechamber.com or call us at (865) 637-4550.

Regsiter: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/prosperity-progress-an-update-on-the-chambers-5-year-strategic-vision-registration-116649492773

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame presents To Make Our Voices Heard: Tennessee Women’s Fight for the Vote, a new traveling exhibition, on display August 20, 2020 through October 1, 2020. The exhibition, created in partnership with the Tennessee State Museum and the Tennessee State Library and Archives, explores the history of the woman’s suffrage movement, Tennessee’s dramatic vote to ratify the 19th Amendment in 1920, and the years that followed.

As a champion for women, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame is thrilled to showcase the ‘Tennessee Women’s Fight for the Vote’ exhibit at the hall, stated Dana Hart, WBHOF President.

The exhibition is constructed of multiple dynamic panels, offering guests a touch-free experience of archival images, engaging stories, and introductions to the leaders of the fight for and against the cause of woman’s suffrage. The stories begin by detailing the early challenges of racial and gender discrimination and continuing to the organization of African American and white women’s associations to encourage political engagement.

Visitors will also learn about Febb Burn of McMinn County, whose letter to her son, Harry T. Burn, resulted in a last-minute vote that helped change women’s history in the United States forever.

The exhibit includes a Tennessee map, highlighting suffragist activities across the state, including in Knox County, where Lizzie Crozier French gave the first public address by a woman suffragist on a Knoxville street in February 1917.

“Tennessee’s role in becoming the 36th and final state to ratify the 19th Amendment not only solidified women’s right to vote but propelled women across the country to opportunities and futures they never thought possible,” said Chuck Sherrill, State Librarian and Archivist with the Tennessee State Library & Archives. “The hope of the committee is this centennial celebration will do the same all across our state.”

CURRENT SPECIAL COVID-19 HOURS
Monday – Saturday 11 AM – 4 PM

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, 700 Hall of Fame Dr, Knoxville, TN 37915. Information: 865-633-9000, www.wbhof.com

On August 19th, the Ewing Gallery will be reopening with Exposure, photography selections from the permanent collection and Post Script, an exhibition of work by the UT School of Art MFA class of 2020.

In March, COVID-19 interrupted their thesis exhibitions in the gallery. Post Script brings together the work of these 9 artists: Jillian Hirsch, Kristina Key, April Marten, Ashlee Mays, Emmett Merrill, Angelina Dee Parrino, Dana Potter, William Rerick, and Marla Sweitzer.

Exposure showcases a recent gift of photography the Ewing received at the end of 2019 and other works collected through the years.

All students, faculty, and staff who would like to visit the Ewing Gallery will be expected to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing, as per university guidelines. During this semester we will not be having exhibition receptions. The maximum capacity of the Ewing Gallery will be 25 visitors. For any community members who would like to visit the gallery, the university requires all visitors to complete and submit a health screening questionnaire prior to their visit. The form can be found at https://events.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/65/2020/06/Health-Screening-Form-Content-for-Visitors-7-14-20.pdf.

Completed forms should be emailed to the Ewing Gallery ewing@utk.edu. Please call the gallery with any questions. 865-974-3200.

After Post Script and Exposure, the gallery will continue to exhibit selections from the Ewing Gallery permanent collection.

The Ewing Gallery of Art and Architecture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
1715 Volunteer Boulevard, Art and Architecture Building, Knoxville, TN 37996
https://ewing-gallery.utk.edu/

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of women gaining the right to vote nationally, the East Tennessee Historical Society announces the opening of a new feature exhibition in the Museum of East Tennessee History’s Streetscape entitled Marching to Victory: East Tennessee’s Role in Votes for Women. The exhibition, which will run from August 18, 2020 through November 2020, tells the story of Tennessee’s history in politics and civic engagement and showcases how Tennessee became the “Perfect 36th” state needed to secure national ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

This special exhibition chronicles the national progression of the Woman Suffrage Movement and highlights East Tennessee contributions including those made by Lizzie Crozier French, Cora E. Burke, and Eliza Shaut White. The Streetscape with its recreation of a 1920s East Tennessee Main Street serves as the backdrop for visitors who are immersed in the drama of the Woman Suffrage Movement. Life-size mannequins dressed as suffragists hoist reproduction campaign signs, as interpretive panels recount the unique stories of how individuals affected change.

The “march to victory” culminates in the display of the letter State Representative Harry T. Burn received from his mother, Febb E. Burn, encouraging him to vote in support of woman suffrage. This letter persuaded Harry Burn to change his vote, breaking a deadlocked state legislature, and ultimately changed history by making the ratification of the 19th Amendment possible. The letter is on loan from Knox County Public Library’s Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection.

Museum hours are Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. ETHS is following the guidelines within the Tennessee Pledge and has modified the Museum of East Tennessee History’s visitor experience. We ask that all museum visitors support our community’s health by observing these guidelines:
• Wear a mask or cloth face covering at all times (masks are available on site)
• Make regular use of the hand sanitizing stations located throughout the building
• Stay at least six feet away from anyone not in your household and follow one-way path markers
• Stay at home if you are sick

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-215-8824, www.easttnhistory.org

Did you know that one of the things you can do to help us survive this mess is… watch movies at home?
In the short time since we closed our doors, a slew of distributors have shown support for defunct independent cinemas with groundbreaking “virtual engagements” that benefit us directly… so take a look at what’s showing “at” Central Cinema this week!

Jazz On A Summer’s Day
5-Day Virtual Ticket: $10

Amulet
3-Day Virtual Ticket: $12

Fourteen
3-Day Virtual Ticket: $12

Yes, God, Yes
2-Day Virtual Ticket: $6.99

Deerskin
3-Day Virtual Ticket: $4.99

Miss Juneteenth
2-Day Virtual Ticket: $6.99

1205 N Central St, Knoxville, TN 37917, info@centralcinemaknox.com. https://centralcinema865.com/virtual-engagements/

The public is cordially invited to the opening reception of the Art Guild at Fairfield Glade’s Eleventh Annual Judged and Juried Fine Arts Show on Friday, August 7, from 5-7 p.m. at the Plateau Creative Art Center (PCAC), 451 Lakeview Dr. in Fairfield Glade. An assortment of beverages will be served at this free opening reception event including fine wine provided by the Stonehaus Winery.

The First National Bank of Tennessee is once again sponsoring the Art Guild’s Judged and Juried Fine Arts Show. Cash prizes will be awarded to Best of Show, First Place, Second Place, and Third Place winners. Additional awards are being sponsored by the Art & Frame Shop, Century 21 Realty, Jerry’s Artarama of Knoxville and Mr. John Anderson. The Judge for this year’s event is Mr. David Butler, Executive Director of the Knoxville Museum.

Reception attendees can view the over 100 show entries and watch the presentations of ribbons and cash awards to the winning artists.

The Judged and Juried Fine Arts Show will feature all genres of art, and these items will be on display at the PCAC from Aug. 7 through Sept. 2. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

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

The socially distanced opening will be on Friday, August 7th, from 6-9pm.

The artist will show a series of drawings from the past two years, examining the simultaneous joys and burdens of motherhood, reflected through natural and artificial landscapes.

Put on your fanciest mask and join the artist!
www.jessievanderlaan.com
http://vacuumshopstudios.wordpress.com

Mighty Mud, 126 and 127 Jennings Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-595-1900, www.mightymudclay.com

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased a new exhibition at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from August 7-28, 2020. A free reception with the artists will take place on Friday, August 7, from 4:00-7:00 PM to which the public is invited to attend at 50 people at a time. All visitors to the Emporium are asked to wear a mask and maintain physical distancing guidelines. Most of the works are for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition.

The Arts & Culture Alliance presents an exhibit of painting, photography, woodwork, forged metal, jewelry, sculpture, and more by 26 of the individual artists who are recipients of an FY21 Ann and Steve Bailey Opportunity Grant. Artists in the exhibition include: Becky Chaffee, Bobbie Crews, Yvonne Dalschen, Curtis Glover, Jessica Gregory, Lila Holdenried, Alex Jaynes, Shannon Johnson, Jeanne Kidd, David Luttrell, Elysia Mann, Jess Maples, Ryan Mason, Renee Mathies, Tom Owens, John Phillips, Kerry Remp, Annie Rochelle, Nancy Rowland Engle, Ericka Ryba, Roberta Smashey, Emily Taylor, Houston Vandergriff, Brandon Woods, Rodney Yardley, and Conny Zhao.

A part of the Arts & Heritage Fund, the Bailey Opportunity Grants provide financial and technical support to individual artists and small, professionally-oriented arts and culture organizations. The grants are designed to spur continued artistic and administrative growth in innovative, entrepreneurial artists and organizations at any stage in their development. Throughout the next eleven months, the 34 individual artists will utilize their collective $80,300+ for local, regional, and national workshops, studio time, technical equipment, and more.

Visit www.knoxalliance.com/bailey-exhibition-FY21 for more information on the artists.

The exhibitions are on display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Exhibition hours are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543 or visit www.knoxalliance.com.

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased a new exhibition at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from August 7-28, 2020. A free reception with the artists will take place on Friday, August 7, from 4:00-7:00 PM to which the public is invited to attend at 50 people at a time. All visitors to the Emporium are asked to wear a mask and maintain physical distancing guidelines. Most of the works are for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition.

Héctor Saldivar was born in Mexico City in 1966. Even though he always considered himself a creative person, it was not until later in life that he embarked on developing his artistic talents. He has participated in events for Casa HoLa (part of HoLa Hora Latina) in Knoxville as well as with the Tennessee Arts Commission in Nashville. He mainly works with papier-mâché and clay, however he also paints with acrylics and oils. He is an alebrijes artist. Alebrijes are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical (fantasy/mythical) creature. His art honors his Mexican roots. Follow him on Instagram @hectorleosculpture.

The exhibitions are on display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Exhibition hours are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. For more information, please contact the Arts & Culture Alliance at (865) 523-7543 or visit www.knoxalliance.com.