Calendar of Events

7 PM Eastern via Zoom. Register for the link at tiny.utk.edu/PBC-Lyons

Join UT art professor Beauvais Lyons on April 12, 2023, for an online discussion of Duncan Ryūken Williams’s book, Sting in the Tale: Art, Hoax, and Provocation.

Stealthily occupying the remote corners of history, literature, and art are curious fabrications that straddle the lines between fact, fiction, and wild imagination — non-existent people and poets, Edgar Allan Poe’s hot-air-balloon to the Moon hoax, crypto-scientific objects like fake skeletons, psycho-geography, faked inventions, and staged anthropological evidence. The shift from the early information age to our “infocalypse” era of rampant misinformation has made this genre of art with a sting in its tale an especially radical form. Cataloging historical projects and those from the late 20th and early 21st century that probe this confusion, LaFarge foregrounds the medium’s potential for run-away creativity. Readers of A Sting in the Tale will be amused, delighted, and soberly engaged in thinking about what the role of art could be in shaping discord or discourse.

Buy a copy of the book or check it out from the library. Read, enjoy, and then join the book discussion online to hear an expert in the field talk about the major ideas of a text that you have read!

About the Speaker:
Beauvais Lyons is Chancellor’s Professor and Ellen McClung Berry Professor of Art at UT. His one-person exhibitions have been presented at over 80 galleries and museums across the United States. He has published articles on his work in Archaeology, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Contemporary Impressions, The New Art Examiner, Leonardo and Burnaway. He also has works in the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, among others.

865-974-4222 or https://humanitiescenter.utk.edu
@UThumanitiesctr

Brown Bag Lecture with Georgiana Vines and John North
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION AND LOCATION
East Tennessee History Center, 601 South Gay Street
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-person-newsmakers-no-longer-in-the-news-tickets-580640440187

ONLINE RESERVATIONS
Register on Eventbrite for this event streamed on Zoom or visit the ETHS Facebook page at the start of the program to watch this on Facebook Live. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/online-newsmakers-no-longer-in-the-news-tickets-580632025017

In her book East Tennessee Newsmakers, columnist Georgiana Vines pays tribute to 47 remarkable individuals and their contributions to Knoxville and the history, civic and cultural life, and politics of East Tennessee. Anyone who has resided in the region knows that it derives its glow from its people— the ones who built it and stayed true to it over the years. Join Ms. Vines for a lively discussion featuring updated stories of the people covered over her career; a discussion facilitated by her former colleague and friend, John North.

Georgiana Vines is a retired associate editor of the Knoxville News Sentinel, for which she still writes a political column every two weeks. Her career as a reporter/editor at the News Sentinel began in 1968; she has lived in Knoxville since, except for 1996-97, when edited the now-defunct El Paso Herald-Post in Texas. She was 1992-93 national president of the Society of Professional Journalists; is an ex officio board member of the East Tennessee Pro Chapter of SPJ and Front Page Foundation; a past chair of the Clarence Brown Theatre advisory board, and has taught at the University of Tennessee’s School of Journalism and Electronic Media. She received the Wells Key, national Society of Professional Journalists, 1996; Lifetime Achievement Award, East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame, sponsored by Friends of Literacy, 2015, and 50-Year Club, Tennessee Press Association, 2016.

John North has been a journalist since 1982, starting with stints at Kansas City’s morning and afternoon papers. He moved to Knoxville in 1993 to report for the Knoxville News Sentinel. In 2000 he moved to Atlanta to work for CNN for 2 ½ years. He missed Tennessee so much that he moved back in 2002 to be an editor/manager for the next 12 years at the News Sentinel. He’s been at WBIR-TV since 2014, working as a manager, reporter, mentor and co-moderator of the weekly public affairs program “Inside Tennessee” with his friend John Becker. During his career he’s received local, state and national journalism awards, most recently winning a regional Edward R. Murrow Award with co-worker Leslie Ackerson and a national Murrow with WBIR’s digital team.

Info: (865) 215-8824 or www.eastTNhistory.org

New music from members of the University of Tennessee composition studio!

April 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center

UT School of Music: Unless otherwise noted, concerts are FREE and open to the public. Venues: Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall in the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, 1741 Volunteer Boulevard; James R. Cox Auditorium and Performance Hall 32, Alumni Memorial Building, 1408 Middle Drive. Information: 865-974-8935, https://music.utk.edu/events/

CATS includes eight performances from April 11-16, 2023. Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater – “Memory.” CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. The original score scenic and costume design are combined with all-new lighting and sound design and updated choreography and direction to make this new production for a new generation.

Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. For information/tickets: 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com

Rala is pleased to present Cynthia Markert as our featured artist for April and May. "Tallulah Dearest and Her Coterie" continues Cynthia's unique and recognizable style of oil painting on wood. Please join us for the show opening from 6 to 8pm on Friday, April 7.

Artist Cynthia Markert has been creating her mixed media portraits on wood for over four decades. She finds inspiration in historical icons such as The Odd Woman, The New Woman, The Flapper, and The Free Thinking Woman from the 1890s to the 1930s, and the Belle Époque to the jazz age. Her paintings infuse these inspirations with personal expression of spiritual bonding.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1815062672203536/

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

April 7 - May 18, 2023
First Fridays: April 7 + May 5, 5-9pm

For more than a decade, Art Source, the exhibition dedicated solely to Knox County art educators, has given these same teachers an opportunity to nourish and showcase their own artistic talents. Exhibition awards will be announced at 6:30pm during the May First Friday reception. Join us in recognizing the work of our area art teachers and interns!

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

The Art Guild at Fairfield Glade will host a Fun and Wine Opening Reception for the Members’ Judged Art Show on Friday, April 7 from 5 - 7 p.m.

Art Guild members Al Hansen, Beverly Olin and Kay Wode will serve as a judges panel and will determine the winning entries. Winners will be announced to the public during the April 7 reception. This event is free and open to the public! Browse through eye-catching displays of artwork in our gallery, available for purchase. Unique gifts can also be found in our retail space, “Endless Possibilities, Fine Arts and Crafts.”

Gallery: Mon-Sat 9-4. 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

A First Friday opening reception for the exhibits is planned from 5:30 pm - 9 pm, April 7th, with complimentary refreshments and music.

Roger Kroll has been working in the jewelry business for over 50 years. After receiving an MFA degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in metal and jewelry arts, he taught special education for four years in upstate New York. He then joined the faculty at East Tennessee State University where he helped build the MFA program in metal arts. He then left the university to pursue his own career producing jewelry in Sarasota, Florida, where he opened a small jewelry shop and manufacturing business. After a successful nineteen years of business in Florida, he returned to East Tennessee where he continued his love of creating beautiful expressive jewelry using traditional techniques in a contemporary fashion. He cuts and polishes unique stones in addition to fusing dichroic glass, which he then sets in sterling silver. He has exhibited in many juried shows throughout the country and is a former member of the Foothills Craft Guild in Knoxville and also a long-time member of the Art Market Gallery.

Born and raised near Chicago, Cindy Marrazzo is an international painter and engineer living in Jacksboro, TN. Her art education began as a child with private oil painting lessons and continued throughout her high school years, receiving multiple awards and support from her teachers for art scholarships. Shortly after her graduation from high school at 16, Cindy enlisted in the US Marine Corps. She then chose a path in the sciences which included instruction in anatomy, light & reflection, fluid mechanics (water, cloud, & wind movement), the color spectrum and other physics & architectural classes that could be applied to her art. Although passionate about art, she instead worked with math and science for most of her adult life. After losing her engineering job in a down economy, Marrazzo took a friend’s suggestion and took up her paint brushes to rekindle her love of painting. “I apply my physics and math to my art & I use my Marine Corps discipline to finish many paintings that require a lot of time and patience.” Many of Marrazzo’s pieces are painted in a traditional realism style. She uses math & science to deliver realistic details to every scene, while her use of darks and lights provide amazing light to her paintings. Marrazzo artwork can be found throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

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

Terra Madre: Women in Clay announces their upcoming Exhibition to be held at Mighty Mud located at 126 Jennings Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917.

The exhibition includes a First Friday evening opening reception on April 7 from 6 pm – 9 pm. The exhibit is free and open to the public and refreshments will be provided at the opening reception.

This show will feature the handmade pottery and clay art of several members of the group. Terra Madre is an eclectic group of female artists with diverse approaches to clay. Unique additions to the home and distinctive gifts for the season will be featured including functional, sculptural, traditional, contemporary and whimsical works of clay art. Some of the Madres whose work will be included in the upcoming exhibit are: Donna Beshore, Ellie Kotsianas Christner, Pat Clapsaddle, Debbie Corley, Emily Burgess, Amy Evans, Annamarie Gundlach, Lynn Fisher, Pat Herzog, Lynne Johnson, Lisa Kurtz, Karen Kyte, Patty Lewis, Wendy Mosca, Diahn Ott, Linda Sullivan and Debbie Whalen.

https://www.terramadrewomeninclay.com/

Awaken Coffee will host an opening reception for artist Liz Osborne Friday, April 7, from 6-8 pm.

Liz Osborne is an abstract painter based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her work is a combination of layering acrylic paint, textiles, and sparkle. She channels her emotions and music to create individualistic pieces that depict both light and darkness.

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 Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from April 7-29, 2023. A free gathering with the artists will take place on Friday, April 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM and features live music inside the Emporium by Nicholas Horner, Cullen Kehoe, and Renee Maggart. 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 https://www.knoxalliance.store.

Cody Swaggerty is a self-taught artist whose had an interest in art since a child. In college, he briefly studied multimedia and graphic design. Later in his mid-20s he rediscovered his interest in more traditional art when he started his first canvas paintings. From there he began doing larger paintings and murals in Strong Alley which gave him the opportunities to start doing paid work for area businesses. Cody has done work for local CrossFit gyms, Knox County Schools, City of Knoxville, and other businesses wanting to spruce up their spaces. Recently he’s been focused on creating works for an online store where he can continue to make and sell art while having more time for his family. In Cody’s spare time he enjoys watching sports, seeing his childhood friends, and riding through Knoxville in his vintage VW bug.

The foundation to my work is chasing my curiosity and excitement for art. There’s nothing I enjoy more than creating and trying to progress my artwork. I try to be well rounded and jump from murals, to molding and casting sculptures, canvas paintings, graphic design, and more. One reoccurring theme in my work is lots of color. I’ve always been fascinated with colors, lights, etc., and being a child of the 90s, I always seem to be drawn towards a brighter color palette when creating. Overall, I want to continue to explore different mediums and find unique ways to blend what I’ve learned to become best artist I can be. I like to work in a variety of different mediums to keep myself interested and challenged; these pieces are a representation of that. Instagram @cswaggerty | https://www.facebook.com/cody.swaggerty

The exhibitions will be on display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. The Emporium is open to the public Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, and Saturday 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Monday, April 10. For more information, please see https://www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from April 7-29, 2023. A free gathering with the artists will take place on Friday, April 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM and features live music inside the Emporium by Nicholas Horner, Cullen Kehoe, and Renee Maggart. 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 https://www.knoxalliance.store.

How do you hold space, hold a memory, hold a hand? How do we record feelings, histories, and identities? These collages explore the nature of mediation, abstraction, and repetition in creating and re-creating oneself. I call on the traditions of quilt piecing, in which larger wholes are divided and re-assembled, along with the sense of a kaleidoscope, which divides, layers, and reflects portions of a scene in a new, ever-changing composition. Bringing both techniques together, I use repetition to both emphasize and disguise my experience from the viewer. The predominant repeating form is of hands, which are traced from photographs of my own or my children’s hands. Using watercolor, colored pencil, and cut paper, I layer flat silhouettes and textured details to build a tapestry collaged on panel.

Much of the material is sourced from photographs I take of myself in moments when I feel overwhelmed, angry, frustrated, or grieving. I translate these photographs into watercolor drawings, which are then cut into various silhouetted hand shapes, along with corresponding shapes of colored paper. By disassembling these moments of hardship and re-distributing them, I attempt to both acknowledge and mitigate these intense feelings as a definition of myself. Like a kaleidoscope, I take the flaws I view in myself and refract what is ugly into something beautiful. Like a quilt, I take scraps to tell a larger story. Through translating this imagery into fragmented and repeated hands, which reference touch, responsibility, and agency, I claim and re-build these vulnerable moments.

Jessie Van der Laan was born in 1980 in Denver, CO. She received her B.F.A in Printmaking and Drawing from Washington University in St. Louis (2002) and her M.F.A in Studio Art from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2009). Her interdisciplinary work is informed by her training as a printmaker and a childhood spent knitting, sewing, drawing, and daydreaming. She has shown her work in numerous national and regional exhibitions, including solo shows at Lindenwood University and Moberly Community College of Missouri, the Rose Center for the Arts in Morristown, TN, at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN, and Mighty Mud Gallery in Knoxville, TN. She makes her work at The England Studio, in Knoxville, TN, and is an Associate Professor of Art and Assistant Dean of Humanities at Walters State Community College in Morristown, TN.

www.jessievanderlaan.com | Instagram @jessievdld

The exhibitions will be on display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, in downtown Knoxville. The Emporium is open to the public Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, and Saturday 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Monday, April 10. For more information, please see https://www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.