Calendar of Events

Explore the Knoxville Museum of Art’s collection of rare miniature rooms in this fascinating virtual tour. The KMA’s nine Thorne Rooms, each inspired by a different historical period, were created by Mrs. James Ward Thorne in the 1930s and 40s and were among the museum’s earliest acquisitions. You’ll get close enough to appreciate the tiniest details of these antique miniatures, and go behind the scenes to learn about the technology that illuminates and preserves these treasures. You’ll learn the fascinating story behind Narcissa Thorne’s obsessive passion for miniatures and how she created these 1-inch-to-12-inch scale models of historic interiors.

The Thorne Room collection was gifted by IBM in 1962 to the Dulin Gallery of Art, which later became the Knoxville Museum of Art. The 2007 restoration of the Thorne Rooms was made possible by the generous support of Sherri Lee in honor of Mrs. McAfee Lee.

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Information: 865-525-6101, https://knoxart.org/kma_events/thorne-rooms-virtual-tour/

Mary Bell is the Art Guild’s Featured Artist for September. She will be honored at the Fun and Wine reception on Friday, September 4, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at the Plateau Creative Arts Center (PCAC), 451 Lakeview Drive in Fairfield Glade. Attendees should wear masks and practice social distancing. Wine and soft drinks will be served outside only, weather permitting. Free & open to the public.

Also on display is a special themed exhibit, “Women’s Suffrage Centennial.” This theme incorporates artwork (in any medium) that was inspired by the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage. Achieving this women’s right-to-vote milestone required a lengthy and difficult struggle, for victory took decades of agitation and protest.

Mary Bell, watercolor and pastel artist, notes that “As a realistic painter, I enjoy capturing the beauty of the world around me.” Spending most of her childhood and working life as a “Jersey girl,” Mary attended the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art, majoring in commercial art and then working for many advertising agencies in northern New Jersey. After her children were grown, Mary was able to devote more time to her watercolor and pastel painting, attending many workshops presented by famous artists. Seascapes, landscapes, and animals have always been her favorite subjects. Spending lots of happy times on the Jersey Shore, many of Mary’s paintings reflect her love of the ocean. In 2000, Mary moved to Fairfield Glade, where she immediately joined the Art Guild and has been an active, contributing member ever since!

The changing monthly displays at the PCAC include a wide variety of art mediums: painting, drawings, photography, ceramics, wood creations, glass mosaics, jewelry, fabric creations, card art and much more! The artwork is available for purchase.

Hours: Mon-Sat 9 AM - 4 PM. 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

On display at the Blackberry Farms Gallery at Maryville College. No opening or closing reception. His solo features a number of small and large drawings focused on Nature/Ecology. www.johnallenart.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Smorgasbord of Art: Alcohol Ink with Pam Woodward, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Cost is $20 for both members and guests.
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, & THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2, & 3 (three class sessions)
Oil Painting 101 with Debbie Toney, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Cost is $90 for members or $105 for guests; pick up materials list at time of registration. Class size: 4 students minimum, 8 students maximum.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
“Fun and Wine Friday Art Reception” to celebrate the members’ monthly art exhibit, enjoy the artwork of featured artist, Mary Bell, view September’s special gallery exhibit (theme is Women’s Suffrage), and socialize. Attendees should practice social distancing including wearing face masks. Wine and other beverages will be served outside only, weather permitting. 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Free and open to the public.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 through WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
“Women’s Suffrage” is the theme for September’s Special Gallery Exhibit: This theme incorporates artwork (in any medium) that is inspired by the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage (right to vote). Passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. Achieving this milestone required a lengthy and difficult struggle; victory took decades of agitation and protest.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
Alcohol Ink on Glass, with Pam Woodhouse, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Cost is $30 for members or $35 for guests, with a $10 materials fee payable to the instructor. Number of students: minimum is 4, maximum is 10.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Basic ARTiE Training (short for ART in Electronics): ARTiE is an electronic whiteboard that provides many tools to enhance teaching, learning, and presentations at the Art Guild’s Plateau Creative Arts Center (PCAC), 10:00 ¬a.m. – 12:00 noon. Open to AG members only. Class is free-of-charge, but those who want to attend must register for the class. Maximum class size is six students.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 (at the Plateau Creative Arts Center and on Zoom)
Monthly Members Meeting – 9:30 is a speaker presentation by Jack Retterer (subject is Fine Art Photography) 10:00 is a brief business meeting. Guests are welcome to attend (In-person attendance will be limited due to social distancing.)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Project Discussion, a bi-monthly artwork review session. Assess the artwork of participants and/or selected artwork in the gallery. The facilitator is John Anderson. 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. FREE and open to the public. Bring your artwork or just observe the session.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Fundamentals of Making Chain Mail Jewelry, with George Gallant. 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Cost is $30 for members or $35 for guests. $25 materials fee payable to the instructor. Number of students: minimum is 3, maximum is 6.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Mixed Media Art Journal, with Barb Pelak, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Cost is $30 for members and $35 for guests. Materials fee is $5 payable to the instructor. Number of students: 3 minimum, and 8 maximum.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Life Drawing, with Dena Whitener, 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. A live model will be available for artists to sketch. Bring your sketch pad, media of choice, and camera to capture the pose. The model is Jessica Schatz. Cost is $5 model fee.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Paint and Wine with Barb Pelak, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Cost is $20 for members or $25 for guests. Medium is acrylic on canvas. Subject is “Fall Harvest.” All painting materials will be provided. Attendees should bring their own wine, glass, and munchies. Class size: minimum is 3, maximum is 12.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Wire Wrapping of Natural Stones and Shells, with Susan Smathers, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. $30 for members or $35 for guests. Materials fee is $5 payable to the instructor, class size: minimum is 2, maximum is 8.

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

Reception: August 28, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

All media show featuring works in response to the theme "Purple".

Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Hours: Tu-Th 9-5, or by appointment. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartcenter.com

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

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

Black & White, Knoxville in the Jim Crow Era featuring the stories of African American artists Beauford Delaney, Joseph Delaney, and Ruth Cobb Brice, with contributions by guest historian Robert J. Booker. The exhibition, which opened February 20, 2020, right before the Museum closed, has now been extended to provide visitors’ access to this important part of East Tennessee’s past.

The East Tennessee Historical Society (ETHS) desires all to stay healthy and with our re-opening we continue to work to help curb the spread of the highly contagious disease that is COVID-19. 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
· Follow one-way path markers
· Stay at home if you are sick

The Museum will close one hour early each day for enhanced cleaning. The hours, which are updated on our website are Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Certain Museum features have also been modified to increase visitor safety. Examples are interactive exhibitions have been turned off, and seating has been removed to provide additional room for physical distancing.

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

This special display inaugurates the KMA’s newly renovated Sarah Jane Hardrath Kramer Education Center, a multi-purpose space named in honor of the KMA’s first director of education. We are taking advantage of current COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings to use this event and classroom space to display a diverse selection of sculptural works, many small in scale, from the KMA collection. Some were acquired years ago and have been displayed many times, while others have rarely been shown or were recently acquired. Figurative works by Tennessee artists Bessie Harvey, Richard Jolley, and Red Grooms explore human life in all its struggles, timeless beauty, and satirical moments. Small objects by Henry Moore and John Himmelfarb reflect contrasting approaches to bronze. John Jordan, Jen McCurdy, and Brad Sells each explore the vessel as a sculptural form from distinct vantage points. Together, this selection reflects a broad cross-section of modern and contemporary art from East Tennessee and beyond as expressed in a variety of materials and techniques.

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916. Information: 865-525-6101, https://knoxart.org/exhibitions/sculptural-objects-from-the-kma-collection/

While all public activities at the Laurel have been canceled until further notice including dances, concerts and church services, please enjoy videos on their YouTube channel which include concerts, dance lessons, and more! https://www.youtube.com/user/LaurelTheater/videos

The historic Laurel Theater is a regional, community cultural center dedicated to preserving and presenting the traditional arts of the Southern Appalachians. The Laurel Theater is owned and operated by Jubilee Community Arts.

Tune in to 91.9 FM WUOT on Saturdays at 9 PM for "Mountain Jubilee" and 89.9 FM WDVX on Sundays from 5-11 PM for "Sunday Jubilee"!

Enjoy the 44 works by regional artists, as juried by Jim Scarsella.

The current exhibition (juried by Jim Scarsella) will be on display from June 10 - October (end date TBA) 2020. View and purchase artworks at https://www.knoxalliance.store/product-category/airport-22. Thank you for your support of our local artists!

The Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville and the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (McGhee Tyson Airport) present a semi-annual exhibition entitled “Arts in the Airport”. This juried exhibition was developed to allow regional artists to compete and display work in the most visited site in the area. The selected art features contemporary 2- and 3-dimensional artwork and is exhibited in the secured area behind McGhee Tyson Airport’s security gate checkpoint for six months at a time. Approximately 35-40 works comprise each exhibition. Work is normally available for viewing only by visitors flying in or out of the airport.

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.