Calendar of Events

Wind Ensemble Concert, featuring Dobyns-Bennett High School Wind Symphony

The UT Wind Ensemble wraps up the 2022-23 season proudly welcoming the Dobyns-Bennett High School Wind Symphony, under the direction of UT alum, Lafe Cook, for a shared concert in Cox Auditiorium. Dobyns-Bennett’s program will feature the Finale movement Kalinnikov’s symphony - antiphonally surrounded by brass members from all UT Bands. UT Wind Ensemble will feature our professor of saxophone, Dr. Allison Adams on the Bolcom Concert Suite and close our year with Respighi’s Pines of Rome.

April 25, 7:30 p.m.
James R. Cox Auditorium
Alumni Memorial Building

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/

The Tennessee Artists Association has a member art show now at the Rarity Bay Gallery. Please stop in and view these beautiful pieces, now through June 30th.

You are invited to an artist's reception on Sunday April 23rd from 2-4 pm for an artist's reception. Meet and greet the artist behind each masterpiece.

The Gallery in Rarity Bay is located in the Community Activity Center (CAC) at 150 Rarity Bay Blvd., Vonore, TN, which is the second building on the right as you approach the gates. CAC hours: 9 AM - 4 PM Monday - Friday except Tuesday when it is open 9 AM - 1 PM. Call ahead 423-884-3800 to confirm there isn't an activity in the room at the time you want to visit. https://tnartists.org/

Art Exhibit at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
Free and open to the public
When: Reception Friday, April 21, 2023, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Artists’ talks at 6:30 p.m.

Layered Barriers by LaKesha Y. Lee
“Layered Barriers” addresses the obstacles blacks faced in the past and what African Americans still encounter today due to the color of their skin. These images, created in mixed media collage on paper, evoke the fear and lack of self-worth many African Americans experience today. Lee says, “When someone looks at my work, I want them to feel the figure’s essence without knowing the person’s identity. I want to ask the question, ‘Do we have to know someone’s identity to sympathize or show respect?’”

LaKesha Y. Lee is a first-year MFA student in Painting and Drawing at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In 2019, she received her Bachelor of Fine Art from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Since then, she has been in many group exhibitions throughout the south. Lee uses her work to provide a positive outlook on black identity within the black community and to create new, positive narratives.

Hidden Dimensions by Sam Stapleton
Stapleton has photographed flowers for more than a decade, always searching for new aspects or insight. This exhibit uses the power of digital processing to reimagine original portraits.

Sam Stapleton’s photographic journey began with the purchase of his first 35mm SLR in 1974. He learned his craft through workshops, professional magazine assignments with his author wife and lots of hands-on practice and experimentation. He says, “Most important, I study the work of other photographic artists, always asking myself ‘what are they doing,’ ‘why are they doing it this way’ and ‘how can I learn from this.’”

Gallery hours: 9:30-4:30 Monday through Thursday, 9:00-1:00 Sunday
2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918

Necessity is the mother of invention, and renovations to a performing arts space has led to a collaboration between two different groups of students. Pellissippi State Community College presents Radio Noir: “The Attitude Caper,” a radio play available through April 30 on the college’s YouTube channel. The play stars Theatre Arts students, but was recorded, edited and mixed by Audio Production Engineering students.

Recording a radio play was a creative solution to not having use of the college’s Clayton Performing Arts Center, which is undergoing renovations.

Theatre Arts students and faculty teamed up with students and faculty from Audio Production Engineering to record the performance of Radio Noir: “The Attitude Caper,” a 75-year-old script by Dashiell Hammett, author of classic hard-boiled detective novels like “The Maltese Falcon” and “The Thin Man.” The story features detective Sam Spade, made famous by Humphrey Bogart in the 1941 film version of “The Maltese Falcon.”

After the recording, Audio Production Engineering students brought the performances to life with sound effects and a musical score. Audiences can access the radio play, which is closed captioned, through the college’s YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q13zsqHF7kY

The Clarence Brown Theatre will close its 2022/2023 Season with the Grammy and Tony-award winning “Hair,” April 19 – May 7. UT Faculty/Staff receive 15% off ticket prices. UT Students previews and Tuesday night performances for FREE and the rest of the performances for $5, excluding Opening Night. The production contains adult content. Tickets at: https://clarencebrowntheatre.com/plays/hair/.

A celebration of life, a love letter to freedom, and a passionate cry for hope and change, “Hair” defined one generation and continues to inspire today. The first great rock musical, it has some of the most rousing and soulful songs ever written for the stage, including "Let the Sunshine In," "Good Morning Starshine," "Aquarius," and the infectious title song, "Hair."

The Pay What You Can performance, where patrons can name their own price, will be held Wednesday, April 19th. Behind the Scenes Sunday will take place Sunday, April 23rd after the 2:00 pm matinee. A Talk Back will take place Sunday, April 30th following the matinee. The Open Captioned performance is Sunday, May 7th at 2:00 pm.

Free and convenient parking is available in the Upper Parking of McClung Tower Garage (G2) on Volunteer Boulevard. Clarence Brown Theatre, 1714 Andy Holt Ave on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information/tickets: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.com

The District Gallery will be hosting a national show and weeklong art event. We are honored to present this national exhibition by the American Impressionist Society’s Signature and Master Members. This 7th annual small works showcase will feature 174 juried paintings by some of the top contemporary impressionist painters in the country. Awards will be judged and presented by longtime Nashville artist Anne Blair Brown.

Friday, April 14, 5-8 pm: Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony of Impressions
174 juried paintings by some of the top contemporary impressionist painters in the country will be judged with a top prize of $4000. We'll have over 60 artists from around the country, including judge Anne Blair Brown from Nashville, at this prestigious event.

During the week of April 11-15, there will be several art events and workshops that require registration. For a full calendar of events and our show catalog, please go to https://www.thedistrictgallery.com/impressions/.

Saturday, April 15, 5-7 pm: Wet Works Exhibit and Awards
The impressionist painters will be in Knoxville painting at various locations the week of April 11-15, this exhibit is a culmination of their freshly painted works that will be on display for one day only.

The District Gallery, 5113 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Hours: M-F 10-5:30, Sa 10-4. Information: 865-200-4452, www.TheDistrictGallery.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

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.