Calendar of Events

Join us on Saturday, January 13th for the Exhibition Reception of Gary White and Nyasha Madamombe. Curated by LaKesha Lee, Gary and Nyasha's Sculpture and Painting Exhibition will be on display at The Bottom from January 13th to January 31st. Learn more about both artists and their work at https://www.thebottomknox.com/events-1/sculptures-and-paintings-by-gary-white-and-nyasha-madamombe.

Gary White's work pays homage to the past while celebrating the present. Histories, lifeways, ancestors, folklore, and tribal traditions all influence his artwork. An interdisciplinary artist, Nyasha Madamombe combines tradition and technology to tell the untold story of the collective African experience. Moving between disciplines allows her to examine and spotlight issues related to collective memory, tradition, the spiritual, and the contemporary.

The McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture is excited to announce the special exhibition, Coming into View: Oil Paintings from the Permanent Collection. The exhibition will feature several artworks never before displayed to the public alongside pieces that have been the focus of recent research.

Aligned with the museum’s newly implemented strategic plan, this exhibition underscores the significance of the museum’s ongoing collaboration with students, the university, and external partners. Coming into View explores three key themes—student research, collaboration, and coursework—providing an insider’s perspective on the research efforts conducted behind the scenes on the museum’s permanent collection.

Featuring both beloved “fan favorites” and previously unseen works, the exhibition spotlights paintings central to coursework, internships, and student research projects at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Beyond a mere display of art, Coming into View demonstrates the integral role of students, faculty, and the campus community in deepening the museum’s understanding of its collections.

The exhibition also provides a peek behind the metaphorical museum curtain into the importance of conservation of the museum’s permanent collection. Learn more about the exhibition and stay up to date with exhibition-related programming by visiting https://tiny.utk.edu/ComingIntoView.

McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, 1327 Circle Park Dr on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. Information: 865-974-2144. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday 12–4 p.m. https://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu

THE LION IN WINTER
Fri. Jan 12th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sat. Jan 13th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sun. Jan 14th 2024, 3:00 pm
Thu. Jan 18th 2024, 7:30 pm
Fri. Jan 19th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sat. Jan 20th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sun. Jan 21st 2024, 3:00 pm
Thu. Jan 25th 2024, 7:30 pm
Fri. Jan 26th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sat. Jan 27th 2024, 7:30 pm
Sun. Jan 28th 2024, 3:00 pm

Sibling rivalry, adultery, and dungeons – The Lion in Winter, by James Goldman, is a modern-day classic. Comedic in tone, dramatic in action – the play tells the story of the Plantagenet family, who are locked in a free-for-all of competing ambitions to inherit a kingdom. The queen, and wealthiest woman in the world, Eleanor of Aquitaine, has been kept in prison since raising an army against her husband, King Henry II. Let out only for holidays, the play centers around the inner conflicts of the royal family as they fight over both a kingdom and King Henry’s paramour during the Christmas of 1183. As Eleanor says, “Every family has its ups and downs,” and this royal family is no exception.

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

Knoxville Children’s Theatre will present “Junie B. Jones is not a Crook,” a hilarious and heartfelt tale based on the best-selling book series by Barbara Park. The play will be performed January 12th – January 28th, Thursdays and Fridays at 7 PM; Saturdays at 1 PM and 5 PM; and Sundays at 3 PM.

Something terrible happened to Junie B. Jones at school today! Someone stole her new furry mittens! So, when Junie B. finds a wonderful pen of many colors, she should be allowed to keep it, right? Because finders’ keepers, losers’ weepers. And guess what? There’s a new boy in kindergarten, and he is the handsomest. The only thing is… both Grace and Lucille want him to be their boyfriend. Maybe he will like Junie B. when he sees her wonderful pen! It’s okay to keep it, right? Junie B. Jones is not a crook . . . or is she?

The play is performed by seven talented young actors, from ages 10 to 15. KCT veteran Rosalie Linnabary plays Junie B. Jones. Other seasoned KCT performers include Maggie Ingle playing the characters of Jim/The Mitten Thief/Grandpa Frank Miller – and Madisyn Beckman playing the characters of Lucille/Grouchy Typing Lady. Joining them are Emily Rowe as Grace/Pink Fluffy Girl and Shepherd Shafer as Ricardo/Principal/Lucille’s Grandpa. Making their KCT debuts will be Barnes Shafer as Handsome Warren/Live Fireman and Olivia Vanover as Mrs./Mother.

The show is directed by KCT guest director Chris Freeman who previously directed KCT’s Magic Treehouse: Pirates Past Noon. Tiger Ladaa will provide the scenic design with assistance from Tabi Maanum and Addy Kate Thomas. The lighting design is provided by Carter Case. The costume design is provided by Amelia Bumpus with assistance from Chloe Beeler. The properties are designed by Lyric Westerfield-Dyer and Caroline Simmons. The play’s stage manager is Hattie Perry and Michelle Phelps is the assistant stage manager. 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 WDVX Blue Plate Special is a live performance radio show held at noon at Visit Knoxville (301 S. Gay Street) every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with your host Red Hickey… and on Saturday with host Sean McCollough. On Fridays WDVX takes the Blue Plate Special to Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria (200 E Jackson Ave) for “The Big Plate”. Make yourself at home as part of the WDVX family at this this daily free concert series. From blues to bluegrass, country to Celtic, folk to funk, rockabilly to hillbilly, local to international, it’s all part of the live music experience on The WDVX Blue Plate Special.

All seats are free, and visitors may come and go as they please.

Info: 865-544-1029, http://www.wdvx.com

Details TBA

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, 556 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Information: 865-436-5860, https://www.arrowmont.org

A series of stitched portraits of famous women by artist Marcia Goldenstein.

“Women artists throughout history often had to make difficult decisions and sacrifices to disregard conventional, societal expectations in order to forge professional careers as painters, sculptors and photographers. Women activists use their voices, their art, their poetry and more to help make positive changes in the world. Representing them in “stitches” is my metaphor for a laugh at the criticism they often encountered, but also ironically uses a form that is historically considered “women’s work”. For this project I was able to combine the traditional craft of embroidery with my professional experience in painting and drawing. I find, not so surprisingly, that the activities demand the same formal, compositional and observational qualities. Building an image with thread is the same as with any mark-making material. I chose “stitches” to depict and honor a few of these extraordinary women artists and activists through what is generally considered a domestic art form—something they eschewed in their own lives.” -Marcia Goldenstein

EXHIBITION-RELATED PROGRAMS:
A Discussion with the Artist | Thursday, February 8 | 6-8pm

ABOUT MARCIA GOLDENSTEIN— Marcia Goldenstein received her B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees in Painting and Drawing from the University of Nebraska. She taught at the University of Tennessee School of Art for 36 years. She has been a visiting artist at the National Academy of Fine Arts, Bratislava, Slovakia; Sichuan University, Chengdu; Beihang University, Beijing; University of Texas, San Antonio; Arizona State University; University of Indianapolis; Tudor Hall, UK; College of the Ozarks; Knoxville Museum of Art; Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Fine Arts, Wroclav, Poland and many other schools and museums. She has an international exhibition record and is represented in numerous public and private collections in the US, Europe, and China.

In 2021, she was awarded a Tennessee Arts Commission Fellowship. In 2016, she was named Outstanding Alumna at the University of Nebraska Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts. She has also received numerous awards for her paintings. She is currently Professor Emerita of Painting and Drawing at the University of Tennessee School of Art. marciagoldenstein.com

Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World's Fair Park, Knoxville, TN 37916. Hours: Tu-Sa 10-5, Su 1-5. Information: 865-525-6101, www.knoxart.org. Admission and parking are free.

During January and February of 2024, the gallery will present two bodies of work that reflect on contemporary and historical occurrences and race relations by New Orleans printmaker, Katrina Andry. The Promise of the Rainbow Never Came is a mixed-media installation that considers the dehumanization African people endured during the Middle Passage, the second leg of enslavement and forced migration of people brought in bondage to the Americas between the late 1400 – 1800s. Andry’s Colonial Colorism Influences in the Black Community – Past and Present series presents large, colorful woodblock prints that explore ethnicity, social hierarchy, Black experiences and quality of life, and society’s perception of race relations and social standards.

Location: The UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay Street
Times: W-F: 11am - 6pm, Sat: 10am - 3pm
For more information: ewing@utk.edu | https://downtown.utk.edu

Mid-Mod Mind: Pastels, oils & acrylics by Rhonda Moody and Earth & Elegance: Inspired Adornment in Leather, Fiber, Pearl & Stone by Laura Gasparini

Opening First Friday, Jan 5th 5:00-9:00.

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

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

Curt Imerman’s intricate pencil drawings will be featured during the month of January! Curt considers himself to be a self-taught artist. He started with pencil and paper drawings at an early age. Curt’s interest in drawing lead to a career as a Mechanical Designer for a major US crane manufacturer. While designing cranes, his God given talent was called upon to prepare conceptual drawings of various crane designs and components. In the early 70s Curt began his hobby of drawing barns using pen and ink. His early drawings of barns were produced using a quill-point pen, and ink from a bottle. Now, Curt uses a fine tipped mechanical ink pen. Curt also uses colored pencils to highlight and enhance the subject matter of his drawings. He also produces artwork drawn using just colored pencils. Curt’s main focus is drawing weathered barns he finds while traveling in the Midwest, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Curt has nearly 150 pen and ink drawings of barns in a hardbound journal. He has titled the journal “Palaces on the Prairies”. Curt’s goal is to publish a book containing his collection of those old barns, plus many other barn drawings he has completed. Curt says that, “Barns are disappearing from our country’s landscape at an ever-increasing rate. My journal is my way of memorializing and sharing my fascination of old, weathered barns with others.” Curt is constantly looking for ways to improve is artwork through different mediums, style, and subject matter.

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

We are excited to announce local artist Brian Pittman as our featured artist for the month of January! Brian, aka "The Cathedral Guy", creates highly detailed work that is recognizable throughout Knoxville. An architect by trade, he designs each cathedral, castle, floor plan, and rose window from his imagination. Please join us at Rala in the Old City for the show's opening ceremony from 6 to 8pm on January 5th. Brian's work will be on display for the month of January.

https://www.facebook.com/events/909304970859163
Shop: https://shoprala.com/collections/brian-pittman-original-art

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

Storyteller Laura Still helps you live the stories of pioneers, soldiers, outlaws, and even fictional characters who walked these streets before you.

Knoxville has a rich history full of colorful characters and famous, and infamous, figures whose lives have been the inspiration for books, movies, and works of art. Take a stroll through history in beautiful downtown Knoxville while listening to true tales of the heroes, heels, and hardened criminals that are part of the hidden lore of this unique East Tennessee town.

A portion of the proceeds for downtown tours go to help fund the work of the non-profit Knoxville History Project. Many stories are based on the books and stories of award-winning journalist and writer Jack Neely. Knoxville Walking Tours opens a window to Knoxville’s varied past and leads you on a journey through both hard times and high times of a city growing through over two centuries of history.

Tours include:
• Knoxville: The Early Years
• Misbehaving Women
• Civil War
• Gunslingers
• Musical History
• Literary Heritage
• Side Street Shadows Ghost Tours
• Knoxville Botanical Garden
• Old Gray Cemetery
• Side Street Shadows Ghost Tours

Tour on Your Schedule! Rather than posting a calendar, we’re letting you pick the tour and time — subject to availability. Call (865)309-4522 or visit http://knoxvillewalkingtours.com/