Calendar of Events

Tuesday, April 9, 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Bijou Theatre

Pianist and composer Thelonious Monk crafted a revolutionary style in the 1940s and 50s that continues to challenge and inspire musicians today. We’ll explore Monk’s music and influence with pianist Eric Reed, one of the world’s leading authorities on the subject and UT’s Artist in Residence in Jazz Piano.

Information: 865-573-3226, email@knoxjazz.org, https://www.knoxjazz.org

April 9– Jim Morgan, Historian & Author, “Six Miles from Charleston, Five Minutes to Hell: The Battle of Secessionville”

The Knoxville Civil War Roundtable is a organization dedicated to remembering and studying the Civil War in East Tennessee. Meetings are held a Buddy's Banquet Hall (5806 Kingston Pike). A dinner buffet is served at 7 p.m. Cost is $15.00 for members and $17.00 for nonmembers. Reservations must be made or cancelled not later than 11 a.m. on the day before the meeting. Call (865) 671-9001 to make or cancel reservations.

A guest speaker, normally an author, educator, or historian of national prominence in his or her field, speaks for approximately one hour, on some aspect of the American Civil War. This address is followed by a brief question and discussion period. Cost (for those not dining) is $3.00 for members and $5.00 for nonmembers.

The normal schedule of events at each meeting is as follows:
7:00 p.m. - Buffet Dinner
7:45 p.m. - Roundtable Business
8:00 p.m. - Speaker + Questions/Discussion
9:15 p.m. - Adjournment

https://kcwrtorg.wordpress.com/

Tuesday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Maple Hall, 414 S. Gay Street

Several friends of the late Bruce Wheeler have expressed a wish to have a night to remember Prof. Bruce Wheeler, who died in November at the age of 84. Beginning in the early 1980s, Wheeler (originally in partnership with the late Michael MacDonald), wrote three comprehensive political histories of Knoxville, concentrating on the 20th century. His countless talks about the subject were more entertaining than most stand-up comedy (a career that Bruce claimed he considered).

Bruce Wheeler was recognized by KHP for his significant contributions to Knoxville history in 2019.

The date’s easy to remember for any history student: April 9, the date of the Appomattox surrender that ended the Civil War. Join his former student, Jack Neely, who took all the classes Wheeler offered in the early ‘80s, and former UT History Department Chairman Ernie Freeberg, at Maple Hall for an evening of Bruce. We’ll share some memories, and try to keep it accessible to everybody, whether you knew him or not. Free program with food and drink available for purchase.

Knoxville History Project: 865-300-4559, www.Knoxvillehistoryproject.org

Tuesday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Maple Hall, 414 S. Gay Street

Several friends of the late Bruce Wheeler have expressed a wish to have a night to remember Prof. Bruce Wheeler, who died in November at the age of 84. Beginning in the early 1980s, Wheeler (originally in partnership with the late Michael MacDonald), wrote three comprehensive political histories of Knoxville, concentrating on the 20th century. His countless talks about the subject were more entertaining than most stand-up comedy (a career that Bruce claimed he considered). The date’s easy to remember for any history student: April 9, the date of the Appomattox surrender that ended the Civil War. Join his former student, Jack Neely, who took all the classes Wheeler offered in the early ‘80s, and former UT History Department Chairman Ernie Freeberg, at Maple Hall for an evening of Bruce. We’ll share some memories, and try to keep it accessible to everybody, whether you knew him or not.

Knox Heritage at Historic Westwood, 3425 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Information: 865-523-8008, www.knoxheritage.org

Saturdays and Sundays, 12-5 PM, April 6 - 28 (or for appointment call 636-256-6555)

Come talk with the artist and explore examples of his fine art, sculpture, and furniture throughout his gallery home. Mr. Denninger is an internationally known artist, designer, and author. His work is part of the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Open houses are free. http://georgedenninger.com/

At 2109 Manor Road, Knoxville, TN 37920.

Tri-Star Arts is pleased to present the next exhibition in their Main Gallery at the historic Candoro Marble Building. A two-person show, Extended Materiality, featuring recent works by artists Mie Kongo (Evanston, IL) and Althea Murphy-Price (Knoxville, TN) opens Friday, April 5 and will run through Saturday, June 1, 2024. Curator: Brian R. Jobe.

https://www.miekongo.com/
https://www.altheamurphyprice.com/

An opening reception will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 5:00—8:00 pm (artists in attendance). There will be an artist talk by Kongo and Murphy-Price beforehand at 3:30pm. The address is 4450 Candora Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37920 and admission is always free of charge.

The artists will also appear at an event at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 12:00—1:00 pm. Attendees are welcome to bring their own brown bag lunch. The address is 1927 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915.

Mie Kongo grew up on the outskirts of Tokyo, Japan, and now lives and works in Evanston, IL. She creates multidisciplinary works that have been exhibited nationally and internationally. This includes two solo exhibitions at 65Grand in Chicago, IL, a recent two-person Exposure booth represented by 65Grand at EXPO Chicago, and participation in NADA Miami represented by The Landing Gallery in Los Angeles, CA. Her other selected solo and group exhibitions were held at Harper College in Palatine, IL; Charlotte Street Foundation in Kansas City, MO; Audible Gallery at Experimental Sound Studio in Chicago, IL; Devening Projects + Editions in Chicago, IL; Arts and Literature Laboratory in Madison, WI; and 4th Ward Project Space in Chicago, IL. She completed residencies at Shigaraki Ceramics Cultural Park in Shiga, Japan, and the European Keramic Work Center in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. Mie Kongo received a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA in Ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of Art. Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor, Adjunct, in the Ceramics Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and is a recipient of the Joan Mitchell Fellowship in 2021.

Althea Murphy-Price began her studies in Fine Art at Spelman College before receiving her Master of Arts in Printmaking and Painting from Purdue University, and later studying at the Tyler School of Art, Temple University where she earned her Master of Fine Arts. Murphy-Price maintains an active exhibiting practice. She has exhibited in venues throughout the country and abroad such as the Weston Gallery, Cincinnati, OH; Howard Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD; Wellesley College, Boston, MA; Wade Wilson Art Gallery, Houston, TX; Indiana University Art Museum; The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA; The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, Charleston, SC; and the Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville, TN. International exhibits include the International Printmaking Exhibition, Jingdezhen China; the American Youth Printmaking Exhibition, Lui Haisu Art Museum, Shanghai, China; and Print Resonance, Musashino Art University, Tokyo, Japan. In addition to her exhibition record, she has been an artist-in-residence at the Frank Lloyd Wright School; University of Hawaii, Hilo; the Vermont Studio Center; and the Venice Printmaking Studio. Her writings and work have been featured in such publications as Art Papers Magazine, CAA Reviews, Contemporary Impressions Journal, Art in Print, Printmaking: A Complete Guide to Materials and Process, and Printmakers Today.

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

DUSK BY SHAHNAZ LIGHARI
Project Space, Apr. 5 - Jun. 1, 2024

Tri-Star Arts is pleased to present the next exhibition in their Golden Chain Gallery project space located at the historic Candoro Marble Building. Dusk by Shahnaz Lighari (Nashville, TN) opens Friday, April 5 and will run through Saturday, June 1, 2024, with a thematic focus on the transitional moment between day and night. This show is located within the unique architectural space of a narrow wooden stairwell.

https://shahnazlighari.com/

Shahnaz Lighari is an artist based in Nashville, TN. She is self taught as a painter but attended Watkins College of Art, Design, and Film where she became inspired by art history and film. Incorporating a cinematic time-based approach to 2D media her work embodies the process of creation highlighting the many phases and layers involved in the evolution of each piece. Her work has been featured in publications and has shown in galleries nationwide, especially in the southeast. She has taught painting and printmaking at Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center and recently attended a workshop on Byzantine Iconography and sacred arts.

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

Featuring nearly 40 pieces
Join the artist on First Friday, April 5.
115 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902

Patsy Ferrell White/Ferrell White Creative
https://www.ferrellwhitecreative.com
www.instagram.com/ferrellwhitecreative
https://www.facebook.com/patsyferrellwhite

Rala is preparing for our April First Friday show, with featured artist Cynthia Markert. The opening reception will be from 6-8 on April 5.

Her show is titled, "The Librarian, Circus Sisters, Hello and Other Portraits at Seventy".
Shop Cynthia's Work: https://shoprala.com/collections/cynthia-markert-original-art
Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/1vx4Oez2u

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

Friday, April 5, from 6-8 Awaken Coffee will host an opening reception for artist Lyndsey Ullom.

A native Knoxvillian, Lyndsey is a wildlife and portrait artist who finds inspiration in the beauty and biodiversity of East Tennessee. Lyndsey loves to bring to life the personalities hidden in our local flora and fauna through colorful acrylics, inks, and pen. She enjoys creating heartfelt depictions, whether her subject is human, a pet, or wildlife.

Please join us for light refreshments, new artwork 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 5-27, 2024. A free gathering with the artists will take place on Friday, April 5, from 5:00-9:00 PM and features music by Marble City Opera.

Janis Proffitt is a native Knoxvillian. Her roots run deep in the Smoky Mountains. Her great-great-grandfather owned a sawmill in the Greenbrier area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For over 25 years, she and her sister ran their father’s woodshop in Pittman Center, Tennessee. In the 1980s she taught herself wood burning that she incorporates on to her pieces. With her rich Southern Appalachian Heritage, she creates both traditional and contemporary wood turnings, and her work comes from the head, the heart, and hands.

This new exhibition is in honor of my dad, Ellis Proffitt, for showing me the love of wood and working with it in all the different ways it can be used, from building a house to building a fire and all that's in between.

Instagram @janis1709
https://www.facebook.com/janis.proffitt.7

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; Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM; and 5:00-7:00 PM on Thu Apr 11, Thu Apr 18, and Fri Apr 26 for Gallery 1010 openings. 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. 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 in downtown Knoxville from April 5-27, 2024. A free gathering with the artists will take place on Friday, April 5, from 5:00-9:00 PM and features music by Marble City Opera.

Stephen Brayfield has lived and worked in Knoxville since 2008 but is originally from Chicago where he studied drawing/printmaking, scientific illustration, and anatomical rendering at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He also studied illustration and fine art at the American Academy of Art, The School of Representational Art, and the Palette and Chisel in Chicago. He received a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in studio art from Northeastern Illinois University where he discovered watercolor and has since painted in this medium.

While I am influenced by surrealism, I am more a representational realist with an Americana element that I refer to as "southern gothic". I paint with transparent watercolors on 300 lb. Arches paper. Gradually layering light to dark, I avoid the use of opaque white or black paint. The darker tones you see are made by mixing less diluted complimentary colors and the white areas are simply the white of the paper carefully painted around or masked off. Recently I have started mounting some of my work on cradled panels and sealing them with cold wax medium, giving them an appearance similar to egg tempera. These watercolors can be hung without a frame, mat and glass. Contact the artist at stephen.brayfield@gmail.com to discuss requests for a pet or human portrait commission.

https://stephenbrayfield.com

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; Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM; and 5:00-7:00 PM on Thu Apr 11, Thu Apr 18, and Fri Apr 26 for Gallery 1010 openings. 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. For more information, please see www.knoxalliance.com or call (865) 523-7543.