Calendar of Events

Nief-Norf Summer Festival will take place from June 5-19, 2022 at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Approximately 50 performance, composition, and music technology performance fellows will gather in an immersive think-tank environment during Nief-Norf Summer Festival. They will participate in 20+ events including concerts, lectures, masterclasses, and group hangs; engage in networking and in-depth collaboration; and work with our guest artists and composers.

We are thrilled to welcome guest artists Mark Applebaum (composition/improvisation/piano) in residence for Week 1 and Pamela Z (composition/technology/voice) in residence for Week 2, in addition to our all-star faculty line-up!

Thursday, June 9, 2022, 7:30-9:30PM | Opening Concert
Friday, June 10, 2022, 7:30-9:30PM | Mark Applebaum & Nief-Norf Composition-Fellows: Theme in Search of Variations Concert
Saturday, June 11, 2022, 7:30-9:30PM | Music of Mark Applebaum

Wednesday, June 15, 2022, 7:30-9:30PM | NNSF22 Composition Fellows' Concert #1
Thursday, June 16, 2022, 7:30-9:30PM | NNSF22 Composition Fellows' Concert #2
Friday, June 17, 2022, 7:30-9:30PM | Music of Pamela Z
Saturday, June 18, 2022, 3-5:30PM | Final NNSF22 Concert

Concert tickets are $10 (students) and $15 (general); VIP festival passes are $60 (students) and $90 (general). All tickets and passes are available at the door, and will be available on the Nief-Norf ticket website.

Artistic Director Andrew Bliss and Managing Director Abby Fisher lead a stellar faculty for the 2022 Nief-Norf Summer Festival, including: Erin Rogers (Composition Director); Mark Applebaum (Guest Artist); Pamela Z (Guest Artist); Allison Adams (Saxophone & Woodwinds); Maria Castillo (Flute); Claire Chenette (Oboe & Woodwinds); Andrea Lodge (Piano); Jordan Munson (Music Technology); Kendall Williams (Steel Pan and Percussion); and Ashley Walters (Cello).

https://www.niefnorf.org/

Experience pure vibration with Heather & Derek Helvey.

A sound bath is a meditative experience where attendees are “bathed” in sound waves. These sounds assist a downshift of the nervous system, resulting in therapeutic and restorative conditions for the mind and body.

Heather & Derek's ceremony will include:
• Grounding and meditation
• Light yoga stretching
• Long sound bath with crystal bowls, Tibetan bowls, handpan, frame drums, Native American flute, and more....

Please bring a yoga mat. All other props will be provided, but feel free to bring your favorite eye pillow or blanket to personalize your experience. Class is limited to 15 participants. It's an amazing experience and is not to be missed!
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/main_enroll.asp?studioid=330363

June 5th (5-7 pm)
English Country Dance is a style of folk dance preceding Square Dance and a forerunner of modern line dance.
• No partner needed
• Each dance is taught with a walk-through, having the music played to understand the pace of the dance, and called.
• Dance patterns are prompted throughout by the caller (You must pre-register)
• This program will include an introduction of English Country Dance
• Demonstration
• Participation Dances
• Tea and Dessert
• This event will be hosted at the Cora Veal Seniors Center located at 144 College Street, Madisonville, TN
• No Admission-This event is funded by the Tennessee Arts Commission
• Live music- Special Guests – Lark in the Morn Dancers and Musicians
• caller Karan Dotson

423-442-3210 or http://monroearts.com/

Reception will be June 4th, 6 – 8pm in conjunction with a Bluegrass Band performance.

Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Grounds and trails open during daylight hours. Call for Visitor Center hours. Information: 865-577-4717, www.ijams.org

Tennessee Artists Association: 865-675-2285, www.tnartists.org

The opening will be Friday, June 3, from 6-9pm. We will announce awards at 7pm, which will also be streamed live on our instagram, @shoprala and on our youtube channel. The art will remain on display through the end of July.

FB event: https://fb.me/e/1u2zUsNzG

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

OPENING RECEPTION of recent work JUNE 3, 5-9 PM

RED Gallery proudly announces the showing of Fresh Perspectives, by Wayne Blankenship. Opening on June 3 (First Friday), the show will run through July 29. Blankenship’s work features Appalachian landscapes.

Wayne Blankenship’s pieces are well known in East Tennessee. He has enjoyed recognition for his work in winning the Dogwood Arts Print Competition in 2002 and 2006. Blankenship presented his piece titled Appalachian Flowers to Dolly Parton at the Dogwood Arts Festival in 2006. In addition to the Dogwood Arts Festival, Blankenship’s work has appeared in local galleries, such as The Venue at Lenoir City.

An artist from an early age, Blankenship reveals that his creative career began with repainting his sister’s coloring books. He moved on to paint-by-number projects, and then to painting with acrylics. Blankenship’s mentor Jim Gray taught him to paint with oils, and it was Gray who suggested Blankenship try watercolors. Blankenship now combines materials in mixed-media work, using oil, watercolors and acrylic to achieve his signature, layered landscapes. He continues to branch out with his technique, and is continually inspired by the work of Andrew Wyeth. Blankenship is a member of the Tellico Village Art Guild.

“When I paint, it mostly comes from my memory, thoughts, or emotions,” says Blankenship. “I rarely have a photo reference or use a plein air technique. Whether it’s sunrise or sunset, painting the mountains gives me an endless supply of inspiration.” For the artist, painting is a way to capture the natural world and a stillness in time, as well as the sharpness of a treasured memory. Blankenship hopes visitors will enjoy the show, and be inspired to visit the mountains. Blankenship says his show at RED Gallery is happening at the perfect time, since it coincides with the upcoming Dolly Fest. He’s always been inspired by Dolly Parton, since he grew up in similar circumstances. Blankenship’s mother taught him a love and appreciation for the natural Appalachian beauty that was his childhood environment. http://wayneblankenship.com/

Starting June 3, Fresh Perspectives can be viewed at RED Gallery on Fridays 5-9pm, Saturdays 1-5pm and Sundays 1-5pm, and by appointment through the week, until July 29.

RED Gallery, 130 West Jackson Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902

Receptions: Friday, June 3, 5-9 PM and Friday, July 1, 5-9 PM

This exhibition features the paintings, drawings, photography, poetry, flyer/poster art, and film/videos of Eric Sublett, with an emphasis on the artist’s connection to community and local culture. Eric Sublett: The Creative Life is organized by his friends and fellow artists, photographer, Gary Heatherly, and songwriter / poet, RB Morris.

Sublett passed away in 2018 after a long illness. As a lifelong Knoxvillian, Eric was a graduate of West High School and the University of Tennessee, and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine. Friends knew him as a talented artist, avid music lover, and knowledgeable historian. Eric was involved with the 1982 World's Fair Art Colony and development of James Agee Park in Fort Sanders. He was a founding member of the 200 East and CHROMA art groups. He is the son of former UT School of Art painting professor and Knoxville 7 artist, Carl Sublett.

All UT Downtown Gallery events are free and open to the public. Masking is strongly encouraged. UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: W-F 11-6, Sa 10-3. Information: 865-673-0802, https://downtown.utk.edu

Opening June 3, 6-8 PM

The Show will remain up thru the month of June with the exception of June 30th and ALL Mondays and Tuesdays. The MAPLE ROOM opens at 4 PM and closes at 11 PM WEDNESDAYS - SUNDAYS.

At Maple Hall, 414 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
https://maplehallknox.com/

First Friday Reception: June 3rd, 5:30 – 9:00 pm

Vicki Bradshaw, Mixed Media
Vickie Bradshaw is a Southern Appalachian based artist who has been making art for the last thirty years across a variety of media. She has taught metals and torch-fired enamel classes at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN. She is especially interested in mixed-media art and the functionality of found objects. She received her BFA from Memphis College of Arts. Currently she is showing and selling her work at art festivals across the south.

Cathie Fitzjohn, Glass
Cathie Fitzjohn began her journey with glass in 1980. Initially working with stained glass, she created custom windows for private residences. In 2002 Cathie took a weekend workshop in glass fusing or kiln-formed glass and fell in love with the process. Now she works exclusively in this medium, drawing inspiration from nature and wildlife.

Lisa Kurtz, Clay
A professional potter since 1985 when she received her Masters of Art in Ceramics from the University of Louisville, Lisa started her pottery, Highland Pottery, in the eclectic Highlands neighborhood of Louisville, Ky. She previously taught clay at community colleges including Cleveland State and Pellissippi State and at craft centers such as the Appalachian Arts Craft Center in Norris, Tn. and Payne Street Pottery in Ky. In 2015-16, Lisa was a Master Artist in Tn. Craft’s Master Artist Apprentice Program. Lisa throws and hand builds her pieces, often combining both methods to create her functional pottery and clay wall art. Her art highlights the malleable qualities of clay by emphasizing texture and form. She encourages the happy accidents that occur while working in clay and in the firing process. To see more about Lisa and her work visit her website … www.LisaKurtzHighlandpottery.weebly.com.

Allen Monsarrat, Painting
I am drawn to representational art and enjoy the problem solving of depicting various surfaces in paint: stone, hair, skin, water, night sky, etc. Painting from photographs allows me to carefully design my composition which is the basis for any good artwork. More importantly, as my reference source it allows me to study the nuances of color, light and reflection and how it changes across a seemingly uniformly colored surface.

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 artists Debbie Alley Friday, June 3, from 6-8 pm.

Debbie is a local fiber artist who specializes in fine art images made from plant material using the eco-printing process. She offers a line of fine art originals, and prints, as well as a line of eco-printed and hand-painted silk scarves. Her art is organic and intriguing and often described as calming and meditative.

Debbie enjoys combining techniques from silk painting, quilt design, fabric dyeing, eco-printing, and watercolor into her art to create something unique and interesting.

Debbie's work can be found at:

• Studio 106 @ The Emporium Center, Knoxville, Tennessee
• The District Gallery, Knoxville, Tennessee
• The Townsend Artisan Guild Gallery, Townsend Tennessee

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

Awaken Coffee, 125 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Open daily. Information: 865-951-0427, www.instagram.com/awaken_coffee or www.facebook.com/awakencoffeeoldcity/

“The Big Deal”
Opening First Friday June 3rd 5:00 – 9:00

Featuring a silent auction of 2 collaborative works by the 13 BSG artists. A $50 wall of works, as well as new work by the 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, and Larry Blount. It’s a Big Deal!

Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 Broadway St, Knoxville, TN 37917. Hours: Open every Friday 12:00-4:00 or when the "open" sign is illuminated. Information: 865-556-8676, www.BroadwayStudiosAndGallery.com and www.facebook.com/broadwaystudiosandgallery/

Thu-Sat 8 PM, Sun 3 PM
by Patrick Hamilton
Director: Dennis Hart

For the mere sake of adventure, danger, and the “fun of the thing,” Wyndham Brandon persuades his weak minded friend, Charles Granillo, to assist him in the murder of a fellow undergraduate, a perfectly harmless man named Ronald Raglan. They place the body in a wooden chest, and to add spice to their handiwork, invite a few acquaintances, including the dead youth’s father, to a party, the chest with its gruesome contents serving as a supper table. The horror and tension are worked up gradually; thunder grows outside, the guests leave, and we see the reactions of the two murderers, watched closely by the suspecting lame poet, Rupert Cadell. Finally they break down under the strain and confess their guilt.

Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 800 S. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information & tickets: 865-544-1999, www.theatreknoxville.com