Calendar of Events

In the MAIN GALLERY with "Before I Forget" by Haley Takahashi (Fort Collins, CO) in the PROJECT SPACE
Reception Fri July 14, 5-8 PM

For Selections from the Collection of Sylvia and Jan Peters, ten original prints and works on paper have been chosen to illustrate the breadth of the Peters’ collected works. These have been curated from amongst many hundreds in their collection and this exhibition features works by Black American artists including Radcliffe Bailey, Romare Bearden, Sylvester Britton, Elizabeth Catlett, Joseph Delaney, Fred Jones, Jacob Lawrence, Steve Prince, Therman Statom, and Steve Walker. The Sylvia and Jan Peters Collection is itself a gathering of objects, paintings and sculptures that represents their interest in the creative endeavors of Black Americans from the WPA Period to the present. They regard their home as a place that allows them to live among inspiring works of art that they can experience everyday. For them, it is a regular reminder of the importance of creativity by Black artists. Sylvia Peters states, “The Peters are happy to share these works with Knoxville area art lovers. We feel that everyone who sees them will recognize how art can engage, illustrate processes, and inspire people to love the creative force of art.” Tri-Star Arts is honored to present Selections from the Collection of Sylvia and Jan Peters and highlight the gravity and power of their holdings. After three decades in Knoxville, the Peters have made an indelible mark and continue to advocate for the impact of modern and contemporary art upon life today.

Tri-Star Arts is also pleased to present the next exhibition in their Golden Chain Gallery project space located at the historic Candoro Marble Building. Before I Forget by Haley Takahashi (Fort Collins, CO, USA) opens Friday, July 14, 2023 and will run through Saturday, August 26, 2023. This show is located within the unique architectural space of a steep wooden stairwell. Haley Takahashi is a printmaker and mixed media artist based in Fort Collins, Colorado. She received an MFA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2023 and a BFA from The University Of Colorado, Boulder in 2019. Her work has been featured in many shows nationally and internationally, including Print Santa Fe’s 5x5 at the Zane Bennett Gallery of Contemporary Art and The Sztuika Na Miejscu in Worclaw, Poland. Her work is founded in an examination of identity, escapism, and internal space from her experience as a mixed race Japanese-American woman.

Tri-Star Arts at Candoro Marble Building, 4450 Candora Drive, Knoxville, TN 37920. Hours: Tu-Sa 11-5. Information: https://tristararts.org/visit

Reception July 14, 6:30-8 PM

Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave, Knoxville, TN 37918. Hours: Tue-Thu 10 AM - 4 PM. Information: 865-357-2787, www.fountaincityartcenter.com

Knoxville Children’s Theatre will present a live production of “Matilda The Musical Jr.” Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning musical is the captivating masterpiece that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world. The play will be performed July 14th-30th. Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 1 and 5 PM , and Sundays at 3 and 6 PM.

The play is performed by 20 talented young actors and designed by 13 talented young designers from ages 9 to 18.
The show is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Ashlee Latimer.
Musical direction is provided by Deena Rhea and Teresa Seals with choreography by Donya Walker Bacon.
KCT is East Tennessee’s leading producer of plays for children and families.

Knoxville Children's Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-208-3677, www.knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com

The 25th Annual PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material by Jay Reiss

JULY 14-23, 2023

As each contestant takes to the microphone while competing at the annual spelling bee, the unique personalities and quirks of the group of loveable youngsters are revealed in a series of catchy musical numbers and witty dialog. But beneath the laughs, the show also explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the pressures of growing up. With its relatable characters and upbeat energy, this Tony Award-winning musical is a crowd-pleaser that leaves audiences laughing and rooting for the underdog.

PG -13 AUDIENCES

Oak Ridge Playhouse, 227 Broadway, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Information and tickets: 865-482-9999, https://www.orplayhouse.com/

7/14 • Salt, Silk, and Indigo with Museum of Infinite Outcomes
7/15 • Experimental Sun Prints: Lumens and Phytograms
7/15 • Summer Tree ID: Beginner Workshop
7/15 • Intro to Navigation
7/15 • The Circus Under the Moon
7/16 • Hiking 101 with Wildwood Hiking
7/16 • Self Care Sunday Yoga
7/16 • East Tennessee Bluegrass Association Monthly Jam
7/19 • Forest Bathing Workshop
7/20 • Adult Basket Weaving Workshop
7/20 • Sightseers with Museum of Infinite Outcomes
7/20 • Knoxville Shakespeare: The Taming of the Shrew

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

Featuring more than 20 works representing mid 1960’s to the present

Judy Kelley Jorden
Received a BFA from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, with further studies in Art Education Department, Fine Arts Department and workshops at Arrowmont. Art Educator for 31 years in all grade levels for the Knox County School System. After retirement worked for UTK Art Ed department as clinical faculty member supervising art interns working toward their Master’s degree and assisting in some graduate classes for 9 yrs. Current Member of TN Watercolor, Knoxville Watercolor, Art Group 21 and COMMA, Thursday Painting. (Art groups which share educational experiences, encouragement and exhibitions.)

Artist’s Statement and Current Exhibited Work
My artwork during my undergraduate years was influenced by my teachers Walter Stevens and Carl Sublett where I worked more abstractly in oils and acrylic. I have always loved to draw and found subjects like portraits, the human figure and objects from nature to be my main focus. During my time at Arrowmont and other workshops, I started working in pastels, gouache and watercolor. Studying with Marcia Goldenstein and Tom Riesing, I was encouraged to look at the landscape objects and the figure in my own unique ways. My development of paintings began to show my interest in plants and objects of metal; depicting closeup objects, with contrasting textures, emphasizing linear strokes to show movement, the use of diagonals to increase the drama in the composition, and contrasting complementary colors. In later observations, I arranged combinations of photographs that had similar shapes but were from different contrasting images, like the shape of the sunflower with the shape of a brake drum.

The subject matter of my artwork was also influenced by the various neighborhoods where I taught. I became acquainted with a local merchant, where I became fascinated with the patterning of the fabric she sold. Working from my photos taken at the celebration of the Kuumba Festival, held in our area, I depicted these events in my paintings.

From attending music and dance performances, I was influenced by an artist Norman Madigan and the way he used light to develop layers of shapes and colors to distinguish and overlap the foreground, middle ground and background on the Circle Modern dancers as they were performing. I tried to carry this over in my gestural sketches during performances and paintings of dancers, in city scapes and the landscape.

I then began searching out sites of discarded trucks, machinery parts, or other types of discarded metal. I used this in smaller paintings or in series of works including organic foliage to contrast with the rusted metal, focusing on texture and color tones. Another side interest has led me to simplifying the forms, taking away from the emphasis on the subject matter to flatten the gestural shapes in an abstract way.

In the past few years my latest work has come from flowers, plants and trees found in the UTK gardens, in my own yard and other sites. Some of these paintings emphasizing plants have also included metal sculpture found on the UTK gardens site. My work in this series has been about the arrangement of plants and the background. I continue to describe the textured details seen, the strong use of intense color, and the relationship of movement that is created by contrasting these forms to one another. I am intrigued by the overall use of breaking up the various areas of the composition with areas of realism to stylized, and then abstraction.

At Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tu-F 9-5, Sa-M 1-4. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org

Art Guild member and award-winning potter, John Michael Jr. will be the featured artist for the month of July, and will be honored at the Fun and Wine First Friday Reception on Friday, July 7 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Plateau Creative Arts Center, 451 Lakeview Drive.

The public is invited to come to this free event and enjoy a glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage, visit with John and other artists, and view a wonderful variety of artwork. Light refreshments will also be served.

John Michael Jr. moved to Fairfield Glade with his wife, Josette, 4 years ago from Illinois where he owned a successful construction company. To help reduce the stress of long hours in the business, he started to toy with several art mediums from stained glass to blowing glass to making and refinishing furniture but his true love became pottery. John was very active with the pottery class at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois for many years and took several awards through their judged art shows. He was also involved with the State Veterans Art League and won several awards and recognition at their shows. After John sold his business to prepare for retirement, he started to teach pottery in his home where he had a large studio. After moving to Fairfield Glade, John and Josette joined the Art Guild before even closing on their new home. John started teaching classes here to neighbors only a few months after moving in. His pottery shows a wide range of creative designs and pottery techniques. He looks forward to sharing his artwork and his passion for pottery with the public.

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

Jennifer Lindsay’s intricate, beaded jewelry and Pamela Salyer’s captivating mixed media artwork will be featured during the month of July at the “Art Market Gallery”, 422 S Gay St (next to Downtown Grill & Brewery) in downtown Knoxville.

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

Jennifer Lindsay has been creating bead weaving jewelry for 20 years; fashioning unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using various beading techniques and imported seed beads, focal beads, semi-precious stones, or crystals. Jennifer gets her inspiration from the colors of nature.

Pamela Salyer is a mixed media artist, working with acrylic, photo transfer and collage to create multi-layered pieces inspired by the natural world. In all her work, Pamela tries to communicate some of the mystery and beauty that she finds in nature, and to create something atmospheric that draws in the viewer.

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

Friday, July 7, from 6-8 Awaken Coffee will host an opening reception for the Knoxville Watercolor Society.

“We are passionate about art, especially watercolor and aqueous medium, and provide opportunities for our members to grow and explore their art. We strive to bring to the community understanding and appreciation of water based media as a significant art form.” -KWS

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/

Opens Fri Jul 7, 5-8 PM

Leesa Osburn is originally from the West Coast. Born and raised in Oregon and most recently lived in Las Vegas, NV with husband and two rescue dogs. Knoxville has been our home for the last 4 years. I paint mostly representationally in water based oils; landscapes, seascapes, Tennessee wildlife and flowers. I take commissions for a wide range of subjects to include pets and human portraiture. I love a challenge! Recently I became inspired by Robert A. Tino from his live presentation of Knife Painting. I am now incorporating knife work to my repertoire. https://artisticescape.studio/

Lox Salon, 103 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9am – 8pm and Saturday – 9am – 5pm

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center. A free gathering with the artists will take place on Friday, July 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM and features original music inside the Emporium by Nicholas Horner, Melissa Hale, and W. James Taylor. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at https://www.knoxalliance.store.

Highly abstract, my work focuses on channeling unseen emotions. Each piece has an aura of its own as my passion shines through with uninhibited energy and brushstrokes. My pieces often start with a pleasant effect and then turn more despondent. I often paint with no plan in mind; if I'm feeling euphoric, viewers will know by my energetic and wild brushstrokes and the colors exuding off the canvas. If I'm feeling melancholic, viewers will see darker tones and a brooding effect. My biggest muse and motivation for my work comes from my children who have instilled a childlike energy into me that is full of colors, wildness, and imagination. We often paint side by side where they learn from me and I also learn from them. I'm uniquely free in what I do and cannot be contained in one box or category.

Liz Osborne is an abstract painter based in Knoxville. Her practice involves layering acrylic paint with a variety of mediums, ranging from textiles to foliage and glitter. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, and after high school she moved to Hawaii where her stepmother was stationed in the Army. Being introduced to a new culture made Osborne curious for more, so she enlisted in the United States Navy. After ten years of military service in Norfolk, Virginia, the sacrifices of being away from her daughters led to her voluntary separation from the Navy. Shortly thereafter, she found her love of painting as a way to express the uncomfortable, the vile and the despondency from her own thoughts and point of view. She attends the University of Tennesse and is earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts.

https://www.lizosborneart.com
Instagram @lizosborneart

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-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. For more information, please see www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center. A free gathering with the artists will take place on Friday, July 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM and features original music inside the Emporium by Nicholas Horner, Melissa Hale, and W. James Taylor. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at https://www.knoxalliance.store.

I am a reactionary artist, I love lines and complimentary colors. I love to create space and to deconstruct existing space. I never know how my work will start or end. My exhibition, Follow Through, doesn't solve or ask anything, it is just here to occupy space.

Katie Hawley graduated from Maryville College with a Bachelor of Fine Art in 2021.

Instagram @Katie_hawleyy

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-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. For more information, please see www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.