Calendar of Events

Dogwood Arts is on a mission to Keep Knoxville Blooming and make it easy for you to make a difference: one tree at a time. Dogwood trees are native to our area and offer 4 seasons of interest: spring blooms, summer shade, crimson fall color and winter berries for wildlife. Our trees come from a grower in Middle Tennessee, are disease-resistant, spring-blooming, and available in pink or white.

Bare-root dogwood trees are available in pink or white for just $25 each (or five for $100).

ORDER DOGWOOD TREES TODAY!

How it works:
Option 1: Pick-Up & Plant Yourself
Purchase bare-root trees and plant them yourself! Order trees now through November 18th to pick-up locally on December 5th (pick-up location TBD). Plan ahead for spring blooms! Fall/winter is the best time to plant trees: the combination of warm soil, fall rains, and cool temperatures stimulates root growth to help your tree get established for next spring.

Option 2: Buy in Memory or Celebration
No matter what time of the year, you can celebrate a special event, honor an individual, or memorialize a loved one by donating a tree to the Historic Dogwood Trails. Your gift will Keep Knoxville Blooming and include a commemorative card (with your personal message) that will be mailed to the recipient of your choosing.
https://www.dogwoodarts.com/bazillion-blooms

The Athens Area Council for the Arts is excited to announce its current exhibit is available to view in person at The Arts Center and online through October 28, 2020.

The exhibit is hosted by AACA’s Visual Arts Committee and includes work from four of its members: Clarice Baggett, Sandy Brown, Stefani Burchfield, and Jan Burleson. The twenty one paintings featured are oil, acrylic, or watercolor and vary in technique, style, and subject matter.

The public is invited to tour the exhibit free of charge at The Arts Center. The Arts Center remains closed to the public; however, exhibit tours are available by appointment. To schedule a tour, please call 423-745-8781 or email AACA’s Gallery Coordinator, Leslie Arnold, at media@athensartscouncil.org.

Thanks to support from Burleson-Brown Photography, this exhibit is also available to view online in AACA’s first virtual exhibition. You may tour digital images of each painting and review a price list anytime online at www.athensartscouncil.org/vac-exhibit/

For more information on this exhibit and all AACA programs visit www.athensartscouncil.org or schedule a tour at 320 North White Street, Athens, TN.

We're thrilled to have our gallery graced by the work of 14 innovative American craft artists. Stop by for a chance to make one of these pieces part of your own collection!

THOMAS RENAUD & NOEL HENNESSY
CALIFORNIA
lighting, home accents, vessels

STEVE & RAENETTE PALMER
MICHIGAN
sculpture

STACEY LEE WEBBER
PHILADELPHIA
art objects, jewelry

SETH MICHAEL
CHICAGO
jewelry

JANNA UGONE
MASSACHUSETTS
lighting design

CHRISTINA GOODMAN
LOUISIANA
hand-painted jewelry

PAUL SUMNER
NORTH CAROLINA
wood sculpture

Bennett, 5308 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919-5027
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5:30pm
865-584-6791 or http://www.bennettgalleries.com/

Date: October 31, 2020
Cost: $8 per child or 4 children for $24

Bewitching Beasts is going virtual! We will still do all the fun crafts and learn about bewitching beasts all while being in the comfort of our own homes. This year we are focusing on some of our favorite creatures and can’t wait to share them with you. Participants will pre-register and then pick up a kit from the gardens. Then on Halloween we will send you links to several videos to watch that will show you how to make each craft and give you information about interesting living things. Additionally, from Friday through Sunday, you will be able to visit the gardens to take pictures by various signs and photo spots. Send us your pictures by 4pm on Sunday to receive a prize. Don’t forget to be in costume for all of your pictures!

This program is sponsored by Allergy and Asthma Affiliates, Allergy Asthma and Sinus Center, and University of Tennessee Federal Credit Union. Kits can be purchased either individually for $8 or for a set of 4 for $24.

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/

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"!

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.

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

An online marketplace – FIVE items by local makers are posted each Monday on The Maker City’s Instagram feed, where viewers can bid for the items from 8 AM – 8 PM. https://www.instagram.com/themakercity/