Calendar of Events

At this time, we ask that all participants at Flowers After Hours be COVID vaccinated. Please bring proof of vaccination to the event. Thank you for understanding. All event proceeds benefit Random Acts of Flowers, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that improves the emotional health and well-being of individuals in healthcare facilities by delivering recycled flowers, encouragement, and personal moments of kindness.

"Springtime Beauties" Arrangements -April 13
Create beautiful, bright arrangements to celebrate some of the best flowers of the entire year. Peonies, dahlias, zinnias and more!

Random Acts of Flowers, 2936 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37921
(865) 633-9082 or https://rafknoxville.org/events/flowers-after-hours/

Interested in learning more about Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley? Join us for a Behind the Blue Doors Tour at our Regal Teen Center Club, 967 Irwin Street, Knoxville.

Upcoming Tour dates | 4–5pm:
• April 13

RSVP to rwclay@bgctnv.org. Information: https://bgctnv.org

Come out for our monthly Conservation on Tap on Wednesday, 4/13 at 7pm in our Tasting Room!

This month we are featuring Dr. Joseph Clark and his work on the re-introduction of Black Bears into the Big South Fork! Black Bears Are Back at Big South Fork

Dr. Joseph Clark is a Research Ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey and an Adjunct Professor with the University of Tennessee. Joe has been working with black bears in the southeastern U.S. for about 35 years and will discuss the successful bear reintroduction project at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. This story begins in 1996 with the capture of 14 adult female bears in the Smokies by Dr. Clark and his students. Today, the Big South Fork bear population numbers over 800. This represents one of the highest annual growth rates for any bear population in the world. Reasons for the success and the future of this bear population will be discussed.

Proceeds from this event benefit Discover Life in America, the national park’s biological science and conservation partner. Visit www.DLiA.org to learn more.

Albright Grove Brewing Co, 2924 Sutherland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37919. Information: 865-851-9712, www.albrightgrovebrewing.com/

Reception: Friday, April 29, 2022, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Artists’ Talks: 6:30 p.m.

"THE PROMISE OF THE HEART" in Exhibition Hall B
I believe that the power of art can inspire and affect change in one's self and others. This exhibit is an expression of a joyful heart that flows from a spirit that is nourished by understanding one's emotions, character, and passions. It features thirty-six original works of art by Suzanne Jack.

Photography by David Liles Exhibition Hall A
I seek to create art through photographic imagery. Inspiration often comes from the natural world. Great material is everywhere & seeing it is limited only by opportunity and imagination. My eyes are trained to look for textures, patterns, contrasts, and plays of color in everything I experience on a daily basis. My imagery is often an abstraction, a departure from the normal “snapshot” type photograph. I use mostly digital photography with cropping and image enhancements of color saturation, tone, and contrast, but no additions. The computer is my darkroom, via software tools of digital manipulation.

Gallery Hours: Mondays 10 am - 4 pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10 am - 3 pm. Other times are by appointment only. Sign-in and masks are required. At Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Information: 865-523-4176 x101, www.tvuuc.org

Sat Apr 9, 11 AM - 4 PM - champagne opening and meet the artists (1-3 PM)

In conjunction with the premier of the concerto Cycle of Life, created in celebration of Richard Jolley’s monumental Cycle of Life: Within the Power of Dreams and the Wonder of Infinity permanently installed in the Ann and Steve Bailey Hall at the Knoxville Museum of Art, Bennett is proud to be mounting a gallery-wide exhibition of Richard Jolley’s work focusing on both large scale hot formed glass sculpture, smaller blown pieces, and acrylic paintings from the last 20 years. The work of his partner, Tommie Rush, will be displayed alongside Richard’s work.

The progression of work during Richard’s 4-decade career will include glass pieces, works on paper, and paintings. Bennett has partnered with Richard and the KMA to present a truly spectacular reflection of Richard’s career and growth as a glass artist, and as a Knoxville art icon. Cycle of Life is a violin concerto composed by Michael Schachter that was jointly commissioned by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the Knoxville Museum of Art, and their supporters. GRAMMY nominated violinist Tessa Lark will return to Knoxville to take perform this long-awaited concerto.

Richard’s art falls into distinct series, each serving as a stage in his evolution toward increasingly evocative and technically challenging forms. Jolley spent much of his childhood in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and became fascinated with sculpting glass as a student at Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tennessee. Since 1975, he has maintained a studio in West Knoxville, where he continues to create glass sculpture notable for its inventiveness and sophistication. He is represented in public and private collections across the country.

For more information contact claras@bennettgalleries.com or roberts@bennettgalleries.com. Bennett, 5308 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: M-Sa 10-5:30. Information: 865-584-6791, https://bennetthome.com/

During April, I will be doing a short reading every Monday at 7pm. I will also be issuing a writing challenge every day for NatPoWritMo.

https://www.rheacarmon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RheaSunshinePoetry

Award-winning wordsmith Rhea Carmon is a force that weaves passion, purpose, and power into poetry. She is a teacher, mentor, motivational poet, and inspiration to all that come in contact with her. Rhea's life lessons and stories create space for conversation and understanding. She will motivate and inspire students and adults to be the best form of themselves on a daily basis. She is the City of Knoxville's Poet Laureate.

JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL CELEBRATION! The Orchids Awards have been presented to Knoxville and Knox County's most beautiful properties, public spaces, and public art since 1979. Throughout the month of April, Keep Knoxville Beautiful will host its annual Orchid Awards online via our Facebook page. Awards will be presented to winners in six different categories: New Architecture, Redesign/Reuse, Outdoor Space, Community Space, Public Art, and Regreening.

Join us in celebrating the architects, artist, developers and community members that are beautifying our dynamic city.

Stay tuned for information to support Keep Knoxville Beautiful Mural Fund, which will support Knoxville's next murals. Four generous sponsors will match your individual donations. Help us reach our goal of $9,500!
https://www.keepknoxvillebeautiful.org/orchid-awards
https://www.facebook.com/KeepKnoxvilleBeautiful

The Printmaking Showcase Gallery on the second floor of the Art and Architecture Building features “The Great Experiment,” an exhibition of lithographs by Ericka Walker. The exhibition will be on view from April 1 – May 30, 2022. Born in Wisconsin, Walker received her MFA from UT Knoxville in 2010, and lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, where she is an Associate Professor at NSCAD University.

Art and Architecture Building, 2nd Floor Printmaking Aisle
1715 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37996
https://art.utk.edu/ericka-walker-lithographs-the-great-experiment-printmaking-showcase-gallery/

Opens FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022 AT 6 PM – 8 PM

Rala presents The Fortune Teller's Sister & Other Portraits, a show by Cynthia Markert. All paintings are one of a kind originals.
Please join us for the show opening from 6 to 8pm. Visit our online gallery: https://shoprala.com/collections/art-originals

Cynthia Markert is a staple artist and local treasure within Knoxville's arts community and has long been creating timeless paintings of women on wooden panels. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we prefer that masks be worn inside the store. Thank you for helping us stay safe!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1611720295850859/

Rala: Regional and Local Artisans, 112 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Tu-Sa 11-6, Su 11-5. Information: 865-525-7888, https://shoprala.com or www.instagram.com/ShopRala

First Friday Reception: April 1st, 5:30 – 9:00 pm

April Featured Artists: Anna Burton – Jewelry and Curt Imerman – Drawing

Anna Burton, Jewelry
Anna Burton is a self-trained bead embroidery and weaving artist. She has a love for color and nature and challenges herself to bring contemporary and fun style to the artform. Her background as a professionally trained musician influences how her pieces take shape and flow. Her affinity for bright color combinations, nature, and a desire to continually explore new avenues with her medium is evidenced in each finished piece. Her passion is bead embroidery and dreaming up new ways to make an already 3D art form even more 3-dimensional. Anna began working with beads right out of college when employed at a bead store. What began as a necessity (the bead store was in need of someone to teach their classes), quickly grew into a love and a passion. She has entered several international competitions, most notably, Battle of the Beadsmith (2013, 2014, 2015). She has also served as a member of CABO (Capital Area Bead Organization) in Raleigh, NC, as project coordinator. She is currently a member of the EGA (Embroiderers’ Guild of America).

Curt Imerman, Drawing
I began making pencil drawings at a young age. I have been drawing in pen and ink since the 1980s. I was juried into the Art Market Gallery in September 2020. I submitted several of my barn drawings to the jury. I have since expanded my artistic work by adding slight accent colors to enhance my barn drawings. I also broadened the subject matter I draw (birds, mushrooms, butterflies, etc.). However, barns are still very strong in my mind and heart.

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

April 1 - 30, 2022

Knoxville’s iconic Dogwood Trails date back to 1955 and today cover more than 85 miles in 12 neighborhoods throughout the city. Take a drive, a walk, or a bike ride and enjoy the scenic natural beauty of our region!

History: In 1947, New York newspaper reporter John Gunther came into town, checked out the area, then returned to New York and wrote “Knoxville is the ugliest city I ever saw in America, with the possible exception of some mill towns in New England. Its main street is called Gay Street; this seemed to me to be a misnomer.” Thus, in 1955, members of the Knoxville Garden Club, led by Betsey Creekmore, Martha Ashe and Betsy Goodson, along with a group of concerned citizens with a vision began a civic beautification project–the Dogwood Trails..

Dogwood Arts, 123 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

1st Friday 4/1/22 Reception 5pm-9pm

Judy Brater, Tina Curry, Brenda Fieser, LeAann Lewis, and Marion Schlauch

Mighty Mud, 126 and 127 Jennings Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Hours: Tu-F 11-6, Sat 9-5. Open studio time on Thu 6-9. Information: 865-595-1900, www.mightymudclay.com