Calendar of Events

Thursday, October 26, 2023

UT Humanities Center: Prints & Books by Eric Avery, MD

  • October 15, 2023 — January 30, 2024

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Free event, History, heritage and Literature, spoken word, writing

This event is available to the public at the UT Printmaking Showcase Gallery. The Printmaking Showcase Gallery is located in the UTK Art and Architecture Building, in the second-floor hallway outside of the Printmaking Lab (Room 241).

It will feature selected prints and books by medical doctor and visual artist Eric Avery MD as he explores issues such as social responses to diseases (specifically HIV and Emerging Infectious Diseases), death, and sexual health. As part of one of his exhibitions, Avery set up an HIV clinic at the Fogg Museum of Art at Harvard University. His work has been shown internationally, and is in the collections of the National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), the ARTS Medica Collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, PA), and the Cushing/Whitney Medical Library at Yale University (New Haven, CT), among many others. His website is: https://www.ericaveryartist.com/

These events are free to attend and open to students, faculty, and the public.
https://www.facebook.com/events/332368039150381

TVUUC Gallery: COMMA Artist Group

  • October 13, 2023 — December 6, 2023

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

Art Exhibit at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, Free and open to the public
When: Reception Friday, October 13, 2023, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Artists’ talk at 6:30 p.m.

The COMMA (Come, Make Art) Artist Group was founded in 2004 by Gay Nell Gray and Cheri Jorgenson as a plein air group that met weekly during the summer at UT Gardens. It grew to be a year-round endeavor of gallery and artist studio visits, creating artwork in other locations, and exhibiting as a group. This nature-inspired exhibition includes diverse media and processes.

The members are award-winning former and current art educators. Included here are Gay Nell Gray, Judy Jorden, Cheri Jorgensen, Shelley Mangold, Martha Robbins, Caitlin Seidler, Valerie Sigmon, Carol Vinson, and Suzanne Wedekind.

Gallery hours: 10-3 Monday through Thursday, 10-12:30 Sunday
Where: Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church Gallery, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918

Theatre Knoxville Downtown: Night of the Living Dead Live!

Category: Theatre

Fri. Oct 13th 2023, 7:30 pm
Sat. Oct 14th 2023, 7:30 pm
Sun. Oct 15th 2023, 3:00 pm
Thu. Oct 19th 2023, 7:30 pm
Fri. Oct 20th 2023, 7:30 pm
Sat. Oct 21st 2023, 7:30 pm
Sun. Oct 22nd 2023, 3:00 pm
Thu. Oct 26th 2023, 7:30 pm
Fri. Oct 27th 2023, 7:30 pm
Sat. Oct 28th 2023, 7:30 pm
Sun. Oct 29th 2023, 3:00 pm

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

Zoo Knoxville: Boo at the Zoo

Category: Festivals, special events, Kids, family and Science, nature

WE’RE CASTING A SPELL ON YOU! What’s in the potion for a perfect Halloween? Lucky for you, we’ve got all of the special components for a magical Halloween, at Boo! at the Zoo!

BEWARE! TICKETS ARE LIMITED
$15 per person
FREE FOR KIDS 2 AND UNDER
FREE PARKING
A TREAT FOR MEMBERS: $1 OFF

MEMBERS NIGHT
A special night exclusively for Zoo Knoxville members. Zoo Knoxville members get a $1 discount on tickets.
October 11 • 5:30-8:00 pm
October 25 • 5:30-8:00 pm

October 12-15 • 5:30-8:00 pm
October 19-22 • 5:30-8:00 pm
October 26-29 • 5:30-8:00 pm

AH-MAZING ART GALLERY
An illuminated gallery of paintings by artist Russ Ronat will be on display throughout the Zoo and highlights wildlife animal conservation.

BOO MENU
Sink your teeth in all the tasty seasonal menu items throughout the zoo. You'll find snacks, beverages, cocktails, dinner options, dessert, wine, and other refreshing drinks to enjoy during your visit. Whether you're in the mood for classic fare or something a bit spookier, there's something for everyone to delight in.

https://www.booknoxville.com/

East Tennessee Historical Society: They Sang What They Lived: The Story of Carl and Pearl Butler

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, History, heritage, Kids, family and Music

They Sang What They Lived: The Story of Carl and Pearl Butler is the first retrospective exhibition of Carl and Pearl Butler, the iconic country music duo whose timeless lyrics and harmonious melodies left an indelible mark on country music. With a career spanning over four decades, Carl and Pearl Butler became celebrated figures in the world of country music. “Carl made scores of major-label records during the 1950s,” says Bradley E. Reeves, the exhibition’s guest curator and author of the new book Honky Tonkitis: On the Road with Carl Butler and Pearl. “These are some of the best bluegrass, gospel, and hard country records ever made, although none could be called a massive hit.” That honor would come in 1962, when Carl and Pearl recorded “Don’t Let Me Cross Over.” The song remains among the fastest ever to ascend to No. 1 on Billboard Hot Country Singles. Carl and Pearl’s unique “Knoxville sound,” along with heartfelt lyrics, earned them a dedicated fan base who supported them at performances across the United States and Canada through the 1970s. The exhibition offers visitors a rare glimpse into the lives of these music legends.

Key highlights of the exhibition include:
1. Rare Family Archives: Museum guests will have the opportunity to view the Allen “Junior” Butler Family Collection, which has been made publicly available for the first time and includes never-before-seen photographs, home movies, original instruments, and stage costumes that belonged to Carl and Pearl Butler. “I’m grateful to Allen Butler and his family for opening their home and archives to share with us,” says Reeves.
2. Musical Journey: Explore the duo's musical journey through a feature film, which transports visitors through various periods of their career and traces their unfiltered, raw singing style, one that derived from and advanced the “Knoxville sound.”
3. Behind-the-Scenes: Gain insight into the lives of Carl and Pearl Butler through never-before-seen family photographs and recently uncovered anecdotes from the family and fellow musicians, including Dolly Parton who viewed the Butlers as her “second parents.” “Despite their successes,” says Adam Alfrey, Assistant Director for Historical Services at Knox County Public Library, “Carl and Pearl faced personal and professional struggles, which are intimately documented through the family’s photographs.”
4. Interpretive Experience: Engage with the exhibition to understand how both Knoxville and Nashville played a role in the development of country music. Also, learn how chart-topping artists can quickly become all but forgotten, even in their hometown. “The Butlers somehow fell through the cracks,” reflects Reeves. “It’s my hope that this book and exhibition will contribute to a reappreciation of their great body of work.”
They Sang What They Lived: The Story of Carl and Pearl Butler promises to be a heartfelt educational experience for country music enthusiasts and fans of all ages. It serves as a testament to the enduring influence of Carl and Pearl Butler on the world of music.

At 5:00 pm, Friday, October 6, 2023, there will be an opening reception for They Sang What They Lived: The Story of Carl and Pearl Butler. The event will include a meet and greet with Carl and Pearl Butler’s family, a book signing by guest curator Bradley E. Reeves, and an exhibition of Appalachian musical pioneer paintings by artist Amy Campbell. At 7:00 pm, there will be a “Tribute to Carl and Pearl,” opened by a performance of the Paul Brewster and Friends Band, comprised of 14-year-old mandolin prodigy Wyatt Ellis and Grand Ole Opry performers Daniel Grindstaff, Kent Blanton, Stephen Burwell, and John Meador. A screening of 8mm home movies shot by the Butlers (watch for an appearance by 10-year-old Dolly Parton), as well as some of the Butlers’ rarest television appearances, will conclude the evening.

East Tennessee Historical Society, 601 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Museum hours: M-F 9-4, Sa 10-4, Su 1-5. Information: 865-215-8824, www.eastTNhistory.org/lights-camera

Tennessee Artists Association: American Modernism

Category: Culinary arts, food, Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

The Frothy Monkey is hosting the Tennessee Artist’s Association’s show of “American Modernism” from October through January at the Frothy Monkey, 419, S. Gay St. Knoxville, TN 37902.

More than ten TAA artists will be represented at the exhibit, and many will be on hand for a meet and greet on Friday, October 6th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

The Frothy Monkey is the perfect stop for coffee, conversation and community. The restaurant offers fresh baked goods, beer, wine & cocktails along with its coffee and tea selections. The Frothy Monkey seeks to provide a safe and welcoming environment that can nourish guests and build community relationships.

For more information, contact twiegenstein@gmail.com

Rala: Haunted Art Show curated by Esther Sitver

  • October 6, 2023 — October 30, 2023

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event

The opening reception will be from 6-8pm on October 6th. This show is a collaborative exhibition of (family friendly) creepy, eerie, spine-tingling, and all around haunted art pieces from various local artists.

Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/4BKeJE4Gt

No Tricks; just treats as we kick off the Halloween season with the first ever "Haunted Art Show" curated by Esther Sitver. Come one come all to this family friendly event!

Rala: Regional and Local Artisans, 112 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Hours: Mon-Thu & Sat 11-6, Fri 11-8, Sun 11-5. Information: 865-525-7888, https://shoprala.com or www.instagram.com/ShopRala

Art Market Gallery: Lisa Kurtz & Carol Quinn

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event

First Friday Reception: October 6th, 5:30 – 9:00 pm, with complimentary refreshments and music

Lisa Kurtz has a master’s degree in ceramics. She throws on the wheel and hand builds and combines both methods to create her wares. An award-winning ceramic artist, Lisa has taught ceramics, drawing and art history to college students. She has taught clay to adults at many local pottery studios in East Tennessee and in Kentucky. Currently, Lisa teaches functional pottery at the Oak Ridge Art Center. In 2015, she was awarded a grant to be a Master Artist in Tennessee Crafts’ Master Artist Apprentice Program. Her clay work has been featured and shown in galleries and juried fine arts and craft shows across the country and is in many private collections. Lisa’s pieces highlight the malleable qualities of clay. To highlight spontaneity in her work, she likes to experiment with many different types of atmospheric firing including wood, soda, pit firing and electric firing. Her functional work is all microwave and dishwasher safe.
website: www.lisakurtzhighlandpottery.weebly.com
Instagram: @lisakurtzhighlandpottery

Carol Quinn, an artist since the 1980s, exhibiting in the Southeast and New York City, draws inspiration from East Tennessee's natural beauty and explores the psychological processes behind it. A member of Knoxville's Art Market Gallery since 2018, she showcases her evolving art style. With a background in Human Ecology, she transitioned from watercolors to dynamic mixed media creations, focusing on abstract designs. Carole's work reflects a journey of self-discovery, driven by a passion for exploring color and texture. https://www.instagram.com/carolquinnartist

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

Pivot Point Gallery: Anna Razumovskaya

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event

Internationally Renowned Artist, Anna Razumovskaya, is visiting from Canada on Friday, October 6, from 5-7 pm and Saturday, October 7, 3-6 pm. We hope to see you there!

Pivot Point Gallery, 15 Emory Place, Knoxville, TN 37917. Information: 865-248-0050, www.pivotpointgallery.com

Mighty Mud Studios: This Never Happened

  • October 6, 2023 — October 29, 2023

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event

Friday, October 6th! 6pm-9pm

Mighty Mud Gallery is featuring the collaborative exhibition 'This Never Happened' by local horse girls Kyle Cottier + Vanessa Hartman. Kyle is currently working to receive his Masters in Sculpture at UT and Vanessa is a Studio Technician and Instructor at Mighty Mud.

Kyle Cottier (http://kylecottier.com) + Vanessa Hartman (https://www.vanessamhartman.com).

"This Never Happened" is an collaborative abstract exploration of our boundless capacity to shape the world around us. Materiality takes a backseat as the exhibition delves into the realms of process, experimentation, and the enigmatic interplay of nostalgia and forgetfulness. Kyle and Vanessa infuse play into the nuances of language, navigating the labyrinth of lost and found, and unveiling the intricate tapestry of nature's nurturing embrace. Amidst dreamlike visions of wild horses and joyous celebrations of hay, personal myths emerge from the shadows, ready to roam freely. In the realm where rules are defined by the horse, we discover that within nothing and something lies the genesis of everything.

@mightymudstudio
126 Jennings Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917

Broadway Studios and Gallery: Shiny Decay Ennui Ding Bat

  • October 6, 2023 — October 28, 2023

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

Opens First Friday, Oct. 6, 5:00-9:00

The 12 BSG artists present “Shiny Decay Ennui Dingbat” paintings, photography, mixed media and more (in the front gallery). Also, the BSG studio artists present works around the theme “Anxiety” (in the back gallery) .

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

Art Guild of Tellico Village: As We Interpret Our World

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Fine Crafts and Free event

The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present five new exhibitions at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville from October 6-28, 2023. A free gathering with the artists will take place on Friday, October 6, from 5:00-9:00 PM and features a showcase of original performances.

This new exhibition features a selection of artistic styles ranging from abstract to realistic as chosen by juror Kimberly Winkle. The Art Guild of Tellico Village (AGTV) is fascinated by the kaleidoscope of beauty and emotion that a close community of artists can create. They observe the same world, yet record images, movement, and meaning uniquely. This exhibition considers the myriad of results possible when interpretation meets the eye of the beholder.

We are artists moved by mountains, flowers, oceans, animals, light, and dark. We are activated by emotion, reverence, curiosity, and play. We have something to say, which might be serious, sarcastic, joyful, mad, or challenging. We may express ourselves in black and white or fluorescent color, in two dimensions or three. But what’s inside must come out, and art is the vehicle. Every artist hopes to find a match: the fellow viewer who regards a work of art and says, “Yes, I feel that too”. We hope you find your match.

The Art Guild of Tellico Village has over 200 members, embracing all mediums of visual art. Our purpose is to support and encourage creativity, appreciation, and community through artistic educational activities including presentations, classes, workshops, and exhibits.

www.tellicoartguild.com | www.facebook.com/artguildtv

The exhibitions will be on display at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. The Emporium is open to the public Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Most of the works on exhibition will be for sale and may be purchased by visiting in person or the online shop at www.knoxalliance.store. For more information, please see www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.

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