Calendar of Events

Portraits were the “social media posts” of the American colonial and antebellum periods. Today, social media allows users to not only visually document and share life’s moments but also curate how others see themselves. Early Tennessee portraits afforded the sitter the same duality. “They are,” as one art historian puts it, “the rhetoric–not the record–of self-representation.” As viewers two centuries removed, how are we to understand early portraiture in East Tennessee? Is it history, fiction, or perhaps a bit of both? This exhibition of works by Samuel M. Shaver, East Tennessee’s first native-born artist, provides interesting examples for discussion.

About Samuel M. Shaver (1816-1878)
Samuel Moore Shaver was the youngest or next to youngest child born to David and Catherine Barringer Shaver on Reedy Creek (near present-day Kingsport) in 1816. Little is known about his formative years. He may have studied at Jefferson Academy in Blountville; a Leonidas Shaver is listed as a teacher there, and his older brother David, Jr., operated a tavern nearby. In 1833, William Harrison Scarborough (1812-1871), a traveling portrait painter from Middle Tennessee, visited Sullivan County. What impact did Scarborough’s stay have on 17-year-old Shaver? Did he watch Scarborough paint the portraits of his neighbors? Or did he simply benefit by imitating the works Scarborough left behind? Whether by native talent, with formal instruction, or both, Shaver possessed the skill set to begin producing competently done portraits by the late 1830s.

Shaver: An Artist of Rare Merit traces the artist's maturation through the 19 portraits held by the East Tennessee Historical Society and the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, Knox County Public Library. The exhibition is organized on the occasion of three recent Shaver acquisitions, making the East Tennessee History Center the largest repository of the artist's works.

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Museum hours: M-F 9-4, Sa 10-4, Su 1-5. Information: 865-215-8824, www.easttnhistory.org

For the past twelve years, the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville and the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (McGhee Tyson Airport) have partnered to present a biannual 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 will be displayed through October 18, 2021. View works at https://www.knoxalliance.store/product-category/airport-24/.

Exhibiting artists include: Gabrielle Barnhart, Lynda Best, Meredith Boatman, Orel Brodt, Jan Burleson, Nancy S. Campbell, Tina Curry, Barbara Enloe, Casey Field, Brian Horais, David Johnson, Judy Kelley Jorden, Anne Kinggard, Judy Lavoie, Peggy Kretchmar Leland, Ilana Lilienthal, Bill Long, Ling Lu, Siobhan McAuley, Steven McQuilkin, Brian Melton, Amalia Fotini Mermingas, Allen Monsarrat, Chico Osten, Amber Patty, Carrie Pendergrass, Mera Ragsdale, Ted Richards, Adam Rowe, Mary Ruden, Pamela Salyer, Gayla D. Seale, Renee C. Suich, W. James Taylor, Marilyn Avery Turner, Gena Tussey, Rick Whitehead, Carl Whitten, Marcy Wielfaert, Anne Wilkerson, and Marianne Woodside.

We’ve opened our new Clayton Family Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Campus.

We Dare You to Enter! The new, state-of-the-art Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Campus is ready for you! Come explore 12,000 square feet of rare, venomous, beautiful and mysterious snakes, tortoises, frogs, and Cuban crocs. You might see Joe the sloth overhead, too!

The ARC is our commitment to animal conservation, where we will protect 85 species—38 of which are endangered. We can’t wait for you to experience this and help our mission of saving animals from extinction.

Tickets: https://store.zooknoxville.org/WebStore/Shop/ViewItems.aspx

Zoo Knoxville, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914. Open every day except Christmas. Information: 865-637-5331, www.zooknoxville.org

Westwood Welcomes You Back!

“If we only look for it, we are surrounded by the beautiful always. Cherish it, love it. Take it into your hearts and it will be your very life”. —Adelia Armstrong Lutz

Historic Westwood is pleased to announce that the house and gardens have reopened with the addition of new Saturday hours. Our wonderful docents are looking forward to providing personal tours and sharing all the changes that continue to transform Westwood into a premier historic artist's home, studio and gallery.

Adelia Armstrong Lutz's copy of William-Adolphe Bouguereau's La Tricoteuse (The Little Knitter) has returned to its original location in the studio. Special thanks go to the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection for purchasing the painting and allowing it to be displayed at Westwood once again. William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) was a French academic painter. In his realistic genre paintings he used mythological themes, making modern interpretations of classical subjects. During his life he enjoye significant popularity in France and the United States, was given numerous official honors, and received top prices for his work. As the quintessential salon painter of his generation, he embodied the tastes of the American Victorian age and his Gilded Age patrons which included the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Carnegies. His works can be seen at museums such as the the Art Institute of Chicago and the Getty Center.

Tours are at the top of every hour. Please plan to wait on the porch or explore the gardens when not on tour. Exterior restrooms are available.
TUESDAYS at 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM
THURSDAYS at 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM
SATURDAYS at 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM, and 1 PM
* * *
Admission: Adults (18+) $10
Free for Children & Knox Heritage Members
Cash is accepted along with all major credit cards.
You may purchase tickets in advance. Simply show the docent your digital receipt: https://checkout.square.site/buy/3M5RB4E73L2KUHDD7XYDPVWJ

Please call ahead to book large group tours of 8 or more individuals.

Historic Westwood is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our visitors, staff, and volunteers. We monitor both local and national government agencies and health authorities for updates on ways to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

3425 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Information: 865-523-8008, www.knoxheritage.org

Small groups of 35 people or less may make a reservation for an unguided group visit during museum hours - admission is always free.

Current hours: Wed-Sun 1-5 PM
Special arrangements may be made for school groups between 10 AM - 12:30 PM

Ask for one chaperone for every 15 students. More info: https://knoxart.org/kma_events/museum-tours/

HOURS: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAYS, ​10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

All local handmade handcrafted goods from local artisans! The goods include wood products, knitted and crocheted items, handmade musical instruments, purses and totes, jewelry, rag rugs, painted signs and original works of art, etc. We have converted the former Postmasters Office to become our Shop.

Postmark LaFollette is a collaborative creative place making project to establish and maintain and Arts, Culture and History Center within an historic structure in order to strengthen social and economic opportunities for the public through the arts: https://postmarklafollette.weebly.com/

Our Postmark LaFollette, Homemade ArtShine Arts & Crafts Co-Op is in our Center at 119 S. Tennessee Avenue, LaFollette, TN. https://www.facebook.com/PostmarkLaFollette

We are excited to announce Pippin Long as our featured artist for the month of April! All paintings are one of a kind originals, and prints of the works will be available as well. Please join us for the show opening and to meet Pippin from 6 to 8pm.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, we will be limiting our capacity to 6 customers at a time and requiring masks covering the nose and mouth be worn inside at all times. Thank you for helping us stay safe!

Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/6d76QZ0lu
Artwork: https://shoprala.com/collections/pippin-long

Rala: Regional and Local Artisans, 112 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-525-7888, https://shoprala.com. Instagram: @ShopRala

The Art Guild at Fairfield Glade will host a Fun and Wine Opening Reception for the Members’ Judged Art Show on Friday, April 2 from 5 - 7 p.m. Eye Centers of Tennessee is sponsoring this show and providing the awards.

Bryan Wilkerson, Professor of Art at Roane State Community College, will judge the entries. Winners will be announced to the public at 6 p.m. during the April 2 reception. This event is free and open to the public. Browse through eye-catching displays of paintings (watercolor, oil, pastels, colored pencil, acrylic, mixed media), photography, pottery, jewelry, woodwork, and more! All artwork in the gallery is available for purchase. Unique gifts can also be found in the Art Guild’s new retail space, “Endless Possibilities, Fine Arts and Crafts.”

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

April Featured Artists

Lynn Straka, Jewelry
The pieces that I make are adornments created to produce joy to the wearer. Designs influenced by nature, they may invoke a memory, affirm a belief, or be an extension of the wearer’s playful personality.
The common denominators of my pieces are texture and exercise in technique. Whether it is from hand stamping designs or words, forging, creating 3 dimensional forms through the jewelry hydraulic press, or impressing texture onto metal with a rolling mill, each piece has it’s own one of a kind personality. The materials that I use the most are sterling silver, copper, and bronze, with accents of semiprecious stones or glass enamel. Some of these materials are recycled or repurposed metal items that I have altered to incorporate into my pieces. Typically, they are finished with an antiqued or aged patina to highlight their texture.

Pamela Salyer, Mixed Media
The variety of colors, textures and patterns produced in the natural world are endlessly fascinating. I use mixed media collage to interpret those colors, patterns and textures and the relationships between them. This series of work looks under the surface: what do we see—or think we see—when peering into bodies of water, probing beneath the surface and admiring the beauty, complexity, and mystery that we find there.

Each work starts with a base collage, containing elements that mean something to me: geological maps, chemical symbols, poetry, botanical drawings, sheet music, etc. Each one is unique. I build up the collage with acrylic paint, paper and acrylic gels, layer by layer, creating new ways to consider the textures and colors of the natural world. I enjoy experimenting with different techniques and materials, always looking to push my art in new directions.

Art Market Gallery, 422 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Sa 11-6, Su 1-6. Information: 865-525-5265, www.artmarketgallery.net, www.Facebook.com/ArtMarketGallery

Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition

Since its indoctrination, the art department at Pellissippi State Community College has hosted an annual juried student exhibition. This annual exhibition exemplifies the hard work of both the students and the studio art faculty. During each exhibition, a purchase award (Best of Show) is awarded to a deserving student. That work of art is then placed in a permanent collection at the college. For 2021, the exhibition will be held for the first time virtually.

Any PSCC student from a past or present studio art class in the last two years, are welcome to apply for the exhibition.

The jurors for the exhibition are Professor Jeff Lockett, Associate Professor Caroline Covington, Professor Herb Rieth, and Professor Jennifer Brickey.

The Exhibition will run from April 1 through May 3.
https://sway.office.com/dnQ0du7CeNKOhss0?ref=Link

Market Square Tomato Head from March 29-May 2
West Knoxville Tomato Head from May 4-May 31

www.JessicaPayneArt.com

Tomato Head, 12 Market Square (865-637-4067) and 7240 Kingston Pike, Suite 172 (865-584-1075), in Knoxville. http://thetomatohead.com

This series has proven to push the artists of the region to revisit ideas, mix techniques, and mix and seek new materials in ways they never considered before.

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tu-F 9-5, Sa-M 1-4. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org