Calendar of Events

JOIN US FOR OUR 4TH ANNUAL SPRING FUNDRAISING EVENT, JAZZ AND COCKTAILS AT THE HISTORIC MAPLE GROVE ESTATE, 8800 WESTLAND DRIVE. STROLL THE GROUNDS AND ENJOY GREAT LIVE MUSIC WITH WINE AND LIGHT APPETIZERS.

https://www.knoxjazz.org/jazz-and-cocktails-1/jazz-and-cocktails-june-26-2022

The Smoky Mountain Blues Society will once again present live music with its River Cruise Series of 2022. Our Blues Cruise schedule continues with the return of The Stella Vees on the Tennessee Riverboat on Sunday, June 26th at 4 pm - 7 pm.

The Stella-Vees Blues Band plays a well-blended mixture of Chicago and West Coast style blues, RnB, and "Funky Shizz". Much of the repertoire is original with an experience that is both fresh and familiar. Winners of two of Kentuckiana's Blues Society’s “Best Unsigned Blues Band Competition” in Louisville, KY, The Stella-Vees have played major blues festivals since 2007 and continue to be a mainstay on the blues circuit. The Stella Vees have always been one of our most popular SMBS shows.

Their latest CD, Don't Tell Me Your Name, consisting of 8 original tracks, won the 2015 Best Self-Produced CD competition by the Kentuckiana Blues Society and placed in the top 20 for 2015 International Blues Challenge Best Self Produced CD. Check out one of The Stella Vees Live Videos here: https://youtu.be/_EMf0VqzCGI

Tickets are available through the Tennessee Riverboat Company’s website, (tnriverboat.com) and by calling (865) 525-7827. Tickets are just $20 for members who order in advance and $25 for non-members. SMBS Members should call to claim their discount (865) 525-7827.

Boarding begins at 3 pm. Each voyage will also have full bar and limited food menu available onboard to buy.
Check us out on the web https://smokymountainblues.org/ or on Facebook.

The Knoxville Community Band will perform a FREE concert at the World’s Fair Park Amphitheater on Sunday, June 26 at 3:00 P.M.

The Knoxville Community Band gives musicians of all experience levels the opportunity to perform in various concerts, including an outdoor concert series during the summer and other festivals and City events throughout the year.

The band plays an assortment of light classical, festive and marching songs.

The band meets in the band room at Northwest Middle School at 7 p.m. every Tuesday night (no practices in August or December).

The band is directed by Larry Hicks, retired band director of Heritage High School in Maryville.

CONTACT INFO

For more information on concert dates or about joining the band, please contact Larry Hicks at kcbdirector@gmail.com
https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/parks_and_recreation/programs/knoxville_community_band

Join forest therapy guide Zan Whisman for another opportunity to bathe in the forest next Sunday, June 26, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Ijams Homesite. You'll learn how to slow down and receive all the healing, restorative gifts nature has to offer through a series of guided, relaxing activities. Learn More and Register

2915 Island Home Ave., Knoxville, TN 37920. 865-577-4717 or https://www.ijams.org

Flying Anvil Theatre, is preparing to present A Kid Like Jake this pride month. The play tells the story of parents Alex and Greg as they attempt to navigate enrolling their 4-year old into the competitive New York City kindergarten landscape. Jake has an affinity to take on the role of “princess” during playtime, and matters are complicated when he starts showing aggressive behaviors at school interviews.

The adults in Jake’s life are all grappling with the idea that Jake may be transgender. “Jake reminds us that labels can help us put order to the world around us, but at what cost?” says director Doug James, who has approached the play with more questions than answers. “We actually never see the character of Jake in the play- just the adults speaking about and for him. I just want to know, and I think it’s up to the audience to decide, what’s best for the child?”

James, Theatre Teacher at Austin East High School and Adjunct Professor at Maryville College, says that the spectrum of what gender truly means is at the center of national discussion. "No matter what side you fall on this issue, the discussion of gender cannot simply be avoided,” he says. “The beautiful aspect of this play is that it does not preach, but asks questions.” A line that James says perfectly sums up the play is from the preschool principal. “All I'm saying is, we don't always have to know the answers, as long as we keep listening."

A Kid Like Jake, sponsored by Positively Living and Choice Health Networks, runs at Flying Anvil Theatre from June 16-26, and tickets start at $27 for adults and $15 for students.

Flying Anvil Theatre, 1300 Rocky Hill Road, Knoxville. Information: 865-357-1309, www.flyinganviltheatre.com. Facebook and Instagram @flyinganviltheatre

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/