Calendar of Events

Bennett is proud to present our March Ceramics and Sculpture Show, featuring the work of Josh Copus, Sally Brogden, Marga Hayes McBride, Johan Hagaman, and Kat West. The Ceramics and Sculpture exhibition focuses on 3-D work by new and existing sculptors and ceramicists in Bennett’s catalogue.

Josh Copus is a Floyd, Virginia native working out of Asheville, North Carolina. Josh’s vessels show a high knowledge of ceramics, as he experiments with firing times, vessel size, and glaze reactions. Josh’s work references historical forms and processes while remaining relevant to the contemporary art world of our age.

Sally Brogden is currently a professor of art at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Sally was an invited Speaker at the 7th Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale, Icheon, S. Korea; an invited Presenter at the Shui-Li International Ceramic Symposium, Shui-Li, Taiwan. Sally had been included in many exclusive exhibitions across the world. Sally is an active member of the National Council for Education in The Ceramic Arts (NCECA) for which she founded the long running Graduate Student Image Forum. This is her first show with Bennett.

Johan Hagaman is a Nashville-based sculptor who focuses on themes of nature and femininity. She is inspired by patterns in nature, poetic words, and current events. She uses birds, vines and clover as metaphors for paying attention– how what we are paying attention to determines how we shape ourselves and our world, how we are shaped by it, and what seeks to emerge. Johan has exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the United States and has work in public and private collections–including the Tennessee State Museum and the Evansville Museum of Arts and Sciences. She has lived and worked in Nashville since 1977.

Marga Hayes McBride is a Knoxville-based artist who has exhibited with Bennett many times before. Her mediums include painting, drawing, ceramic sculpture, and bronze sculpture. Marga studied painting, printmaking and graphic design at the University of Tennessee and drawing and painting at the Mesa Community College in Arizona. She was taught how to work with clay through a friend and colleague and combined the two mediums to create her work. Marga’s work is “a reflection of both my art background and my spiritual studies”.

Kat West is a ceramicist based in Newport Beach, California. The themes present in her work reflect her Philippine heritage and her role as an immigrant in the United States. Kat was based in Brooklyn, New York for several years before moving to Newport Beach and beginning ceramics classes as a new creative outlet. Kat’s ceramic pieces are both sculptural and functional with each piece displaying its own unique presence. Her inspiration comes from the connection to humanity Kat feels, along with her personal experiences as an immigrant, a mother, and a creator. Themes of tradition and heritage drive Kat’s vision for her pieces, as well as finding ways to reduce the environmental impact of creating art. This is Kat’s first show with Bennett.

Bennett, 5308 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: M-Sa 10-5:30. Information: 865-584-6791, https://bennetthome.com/

Learn the basics!
$200
4-Week Class
Saturday, March 5-26
2:00pm- 6:00pm
Instructor: Madilynn Eldridge
Registration Deadline: February 26th

In this comprehensive 4-week class, Madi will start and the beginning and discuss the history of woodburning, the styles of woodburning and all of the basics. Students will learn the elements of Art and joined together with their wood burning skills, create and execute a project from start to finish. Beginners welcome. A materials list will be provided.

https://registration.knoxvilletn.gov/ViewCourseActivityDetails.aspx?id=C13274

“Transferring Knowledge: Ceramics from a Collaborative Community Workshop” showcases the work created by members of The Bottom and Mighty Mud during a month-long workshop taught by Maggie Connolly and Jake Ingram. The exhibition will be on view at The Bottom, March 4th - 31st, with an opening exhibition on Friday, March 4th, 5-9 PM.

The goal of this workshop was to foster sustainable and meaningful connections between communities with the purpose of growing the arts culture and knowledge in the greater Knoxville area, by providing instruction on lithographic ceramic decals. Students from this workshop learned a deeper understanding of both ceramic and lithographic techniques and processes and created their own work. A collective project was made by all the participants and will be installed at the Bottom's new building. Funding for the workshop was made possible through Tri-Star Arts and the Current Art Fund.

Featuring work by:
Brandy Allen
Jordan Butzine
George Habeib
Vanessa Hartman
Ty Murray
Jeremy Myles
Natalie Ward

The Bottom, 2340 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: thebottomknox@gmail.com, 865-444-5915 or https://www.thebottomknox.com/

The show will be at Crafty Bastard Brewery West from March 4 - March 31.
9937 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922

I create multicolor portraits with a current focus on combining watercolor and colored pencil. As I deal with mental illness, art has been a beautiful way for me to communicate what I can’t explain otherwise. Since viewers often say they feel an emotional connection to my work, I feel comfortable expressing openly to let others know they aren’t struggling alone.

https://ginlizzyartist.blogspot.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ginlizzyartist/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtByGinLizzy

We are excited to have Kara Lockmiller as our featured artist for the month of March! All paintings are one of a kind originals. Kara paints portraits of musicians to convey what she sees when she listens to music as a chromesthete.

Please join us for the show opening from 6 to 8pm. Kara's work will be on display through March 29th.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, we prefer that masks be worn inside the store. Thank you for helping us stay safe!

Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/1JrruPwy8

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

“The BSG Spring Roll” features new works by the 13 BSG artists:

Chloe Melton, Vincent Drake, Lauren Kelley, Brandon Woods, Mandy Lynn Carris, Jeremy Logan, Jessica Gregory, Sam Stapleton, Katie Carrillo, Pat O’Neil, Nancy Rowland-Engle, Anne Freels, Larry Blount

Opening First Friday March 4th 5:00 – 9:00
Open every Tues & Wed. 4:00 – 7:00 Friday 12:00-4:00 Sunday 12:00-6:00 and anytime the OPEN sign is flashing!

Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 Broadway St, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-556-8676, www.BroadwayStudiosAndGallery.com and https://www.facebook.com/broadwaystudiosandgallery/

March Featured Artists:
Patrick Deason – Metal Artist
Jack Retterer – Photography

First Friday Reception: March 4, 5:30 – 9:00 pm

Patrick Deason, Metal Artist
Self-trained and often using tools and techniques he has developed; Patrick works in sheet steel. Cutting, shaping, welding the metal presents challenges as he converts flat metal into organic flowing shapes. A National Park Ranger in different parts of the country for many years, Patrick has an affinity for the natural form and movement of animals, his favorite subjects to create; some whimsical, some accurately detailed. His pieces have won awards in many shows, and he has been featured in several galleries.

Jack Retterer, Photography
Jack Retterer, fine art photographer, teacher, and poet, is very active in the arts community in East Tennessee. His American Impressionist style photography and large canvas prints have been on display at numerous prestigious venues including Arts at the Airport, the City of Knoxville Mayors Office, the Knoxville County Mayors office, and the Clayton Center for the Art. Jack also teaches Fine Art Photography at the University of Tennessee.

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

Awaken Coffee will host an opening reception for artist Kimberlee Rose Smith Friday, Mar 4, from 6-8 pm.

Kimberlee is a landscape painter living in Knoxville, TN. Her life and art are fueled by ministering to souls and reflecting God’s stunning creation on canvas. “I pray to always be a vessel of joy, peace, hope, and beauty in painting pine trees, misty mountains, crashing waves, billowing clouds, babbling brooks, still lakes, grassy hillsides, wildflowers, and more. Filled to the brim with gratitude to share my work.”

Please join us for some amazing art, light refreshments, and of course great coffee!

Awaken Coffee, 125 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Info: 865-951-0427 or https://www.facebook.com/awakencoffeeoldcity/

March 4 - 27, 2021
First Friday, March 4, 5-9pm

Big Ears is collaborating with The Public Cinema for screenings of four exemplary films about female artists: Peter Glushanok’s 1957 A Dancer’s World documents modern dance pioneer Martha Graham; Chantal Akerman’s documentary One Day Pina Asked … focuses on the wildly inventive German choreographer Pina Bausch; Claire Denis’ documentary Towards Mathilde follows French choreographer Mathilde Monnier into the studio for collaborations with philosopher Jean-Luc Nancy and musician P.J. Harvey; and Amram Nowak and Meredith Monk’s Quarry is the newly restored film version of Monk’s 1976 Obie-winning performance of the same name. Each of these films will show daily at the UT Downtown Gallery (106 S. Gay St.) starting on March 4 and running through the festival.

The UT Downtown Gallery is open W-F 11am - 6pm and Saturdays from 10am-3pm. The gallery will have extended hours during the Big Ears festival weekend.

In addition, during Big Ears 2022, we’ll screen three films with a connection to themes running through the festival. On Thursday and Friday we’ll show a pair of Lily Keber’s New Orleans films: Bayou Maharajah, a documentary about the life and music of New Orleans piano legend James Booker, and Buckjumping, Keber’s documentary about social dance—from second line to Mardi Gras Indians to bounce—in the Crescent City. Finally, on Friday we’ll screen the world premiere of Ned Sublette’s Tierra Sagrada (Sacred Ground) which documents a rarely seen series of bembés and rumbas in west-central Cuba; the film will have a command showing on Saturday.

All UT Downtown Gallery events are free and open to the public. Masking is strongly encouraged.
106 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-673-0802, http://web.utk.edu/~downtown

A free reception with the artists will take place on Friday, March 4, from 5:00-9:00 PM and features music by Partners in Rhyme (Cal and Richard). Most of the works will be for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition by visiting in person or the online shop at www.knoxalliance.store.

This exhibition comprises a series of mixed-media collages portraying icons of the music world. These epic figures have been canonized into a church of my own making – a “Communion of Saints” – based on their worship status in the public eye as well as my own. Like a faithful friend, music has accompanied me in my countless hours as a visual artist. It has given me inspiration and connection to something untouchable, yet deeply felt. It continues to take me away and lead me back home. Patron Saints of Rock is a church that spans many genres and is my attempt to share with others my admiration for the creators of that music which has stirred my soul. It is my attempt to evoke in static, two dimensions, what is inherently linear, dynamic and fleeting – what is fundamentally fixed to a time signature. It is also my hope to honor the legacy of these artists’ contributions. Artists that have moved mountains.

Robert Felker was born in Knoxville and grew up in Nashville. He has a BFA in Media Arts from the School of Visual Arts, NYC where he studied painting and illustration. After several years as a freelance illustrator, he worked in graphic design for more than 25 years while continuing to paint and make collages. His Patron Saints of Rock series started as a labor of love and has evolved into a promising project with some commercial success. He also paints landscapes en plein air and in studio as well as public art, having painted the Cormac McCarthy Firefly Mural on Clinch Avenue, the Bijou Theatre’s 111th Anniversary Commemorative Mural and “East Tennessee Sunrise," a mural collaboration with R.B. Morris, inspired by the poetry of President Jimmy Carter and located at the Knoxville Habitat for Humanity headquarters.

https://www.robertfelker.com/patron-saints-of-rock

Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Hours: M-F 9-5, Sat 10-1. Info: 865-523-7543, www.knoxalliance.com

A free reception with the artists will take place on Friday, March 4, from 5:00-9:00 PM and features music by Partners in Rhyme (Cal and Richard). Most of the works will be for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition by visiting in person or the online shop at www.knoxalliance.store.

Jessica Burleson is a Panamanian-American artist and recent Knoxville transplant. Her artistic career began in 2005 when she received an Honorable Mention Award in the Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. She was then invited to participate in the Scholastics National Student Show in New York, where she was awarded the 2005 American Vision Award. This achievement secured her calling in the arts, leading her to receive a BFA and study art abroad in Florence, Italy. Throughout her artistic career she received numerous awards, publications, and grants while also contributing to group shows and festivals. Her debut solo exhibition, Don’t Touch, speaks to her experience of femininity and nature through the materiality and objectivity of paint. This collection of acrylic paintings is created from acrylic skins and impasto cake decorating techniques to form a painterly collage of textures and control. Burleson manipulates the material to exist beyond its presumed physicality to acknowledge its presences and natural abilities – a voyeuristic gaze into femininity as deliciously unattainable and sacral.

The consumption of divine femininity, nature and art is my inspiration in creating. My works are both material and delicate with savory textures – a reflection of the embodiment of femininity and nature that is met by the world with an all-consuming hunger. I compose impossibly thick, icing-like, touch-worthy feminine floral elements, a visual delicacy one can only hope to resist the temptation to touch. I speak to the exploitation of femininity as a pound of flesh to be devoured. My work lives in a world where worth is not of the body but within one’s essence, where femininity is allowed to remain sacred and untouched by burden, blooming into its full potential – living beyond objectification and allowed to accept our full spectrum of self.

www.JessicaBurlesonArt.com
Instagram: @jess_burleson

Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Hours: M-F 9-5, Sat 10-1. Info: 865-523-7543, www.knoxalliance.com

A free reception with the artists will take place on Friday, March 4, from 5:00-9:00 PM and features music by Partners in Rhyme (Cal and Richard). Most of the works will be for sale and may be purchased through the close of the exhibition by visiting in person or the online shop at www.knoxalliance.store.

Bruce Bunting is a retired engineer who spent his career working in the automotive industry. He has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and worked at several machine shops. About ten years ago he became attracted to papermaking because it combined art, chemistry, materials, and equipment. One of his first motivators included working on a biofuels project with a paper mill and realizing he was more interested in the paper technology than in the fuels. He started making paper in a hotel room when on a one-year remote assignment, using a blender and a craft store papermaking kit. His first outputs were paper earrings and assemblies of small paper castings. When he retired, he built a papermaking studio at his Knoxville home and fabricated all the equipment needed. Since then, he has written articles for paper arts magazines, presented to a university paper arts class, and attended training classes at several studios. He continues on with paper exploration, including materials, equipment, and techniques and considers himself fortunate to have the time and independence to follow his heart.

For this exhibition, Bunting plans to showcase 36 new works in paper. I am calling these works “sculptural collages”: collages, because they are assembled from paper with glue, and sculptural, because the works have depth and the paper has thickness and texture. I made the paper for these pieces in my studio. I’m working more toward a sculptural approach, rather than flat work, as I want the paper itself to be the art and not just a backdrop for another media.

www.brucebuntingart.com

Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. Hours: M-F 9-5, Sat 10-1. Info: 865-523-7543, www.knoxalliance.com