Calendar of Events

The WordPlayers salute award-winning author and playwright Cormac McCarthy during the anniversary week of his death with a staged reading of THE SUNSET LIMITED on Monday, June 10, at 7:00 PM in The Square Room.

Cormac McCarthy received the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the Pulitzer Prize. He wrote many novels, but only two plays, one of which is THE SUNSET LIMITED. The WordPlayers will perform a staged reading of this challenging drama, free to the public, at 7:00 PM on Monday, June 10, just three days before the anniversary of McCarthy’s death at age 89 last summer. The play is a heavy, profound conversation piece that is not intended for young audiences.

On a subway platform in New York City, an ex-con from the South saves the life of an intellectual atheist who wasn’t looking for salvation. Now, the reformed murderer-turned-savior ventures to offer salvation of another kind, bringing the failed suicide victim back to his Harlem apartment for an articulate and moving debate about truth, fiction, and belief.

The WordPlayers, 865-539-2490
Website: www.wordplayers.org
Facebook: The WordPlayers
Twitter: @wordplayers
Instagram: wordplayers

Jun 22, 2024, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Corte-Land Art House, 503 Clinch Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, USA

This is a specially curated Pride event centered in celebration and joy! Dress to impress: The category is... Durags and Tiaras. Show up and show out, get creative with the crown of your choice!

You can join us for:
Introductory dance lesson by a very special guest
Community Dance Jam hosted by Knox Community Street Dance & DJ Ty Dye
Flow Arts from SpaceCraft, complete with hoops, ribbons & more
Silent Screening of Vogue Ballrooms & Battles

This event is presented through a collaboration with: Knox Community Street Dance, a dance collective that utilizes street dance as a way to interact with and learn about Black Culture and History, as well as to provide a brave space to explore identity, create community and express joy, SpaceCraft, a grassroots organization unifying artists through playful practice and local investment in the local arts, and Sadie Pearl Records, a Bottom x Ty's Eye initiative utilizing music & movement to build community, celebrate culture & engage creativity!

RSVPs required: https://www.thebottomknox.com/events-1/pride-jam-2024

Reception Friday, June 14, 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Artists’ talks at 6:30 pm.
Free and open to the public

“Indicia” is defined as indications, traces or evidence; something serving as a visible or tangible representation of a fact, quality or feeling. Mixed-media artists Emily Taylor and Jean Hess – long-time friends and colleagues -- make work about recollecting and reconsidering early memories, family history and chaotic life paths. They each gather and playfully experiment with found and natural materials along with traditional art media, aiming to surprise themselves and others.

Jean Hess’ work is in public collections including the Huntsville, Knoxville and Evansville museums of art as well as corporate and private collections. She writes about art, gives classes and opens her Knoxville studio and garden by appointment: www.jeanhess.com

Emily Taylor teaches studio art locally as an adjunct professor and in other workshop formats. She has shown her work locally, regionally and in group shows and private collections. Contact her to visit or come to an open studio in Bearden!
https://www.facebook.com/emilytaylorpaintings/
Instagram:@emilytaylor9515

Gallery hours: 9:30-4:30 Monday through Thursday, 9:00-1:00 Sunday
Art Exhibit at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918

A two-person show, Outta Time, featuring recent works by artists Joshua Bienko (Knoxville, TN) and Lester Merriweather (Memphis, TN). Curator: Brian R. Jobe.

A preview reception will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024 from 5:00—8:00 pm. Additionally, there will be an artists’ reception on Friday, July 19, 2024 from 5:00—8:00 pm (artists in attendance). There will be an artist talk by Bienko and Merriweather beforehand on July 19 at 3:30pm.

Joshua Bienko (b. 1978, NY) received his MFA from the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia in 2008, and his BFA from the University of Buffalo in 2000. He has exhibited at NADA (NY), Dallas Contemporary (TX), Artpace (TX), Labor Ebertplatz (Köln), Vox Populi (PA), Big Medium (TX), OUTERSPACE (Facebook) and the Guggenheim Museum (in collaboration with YouTube Play Biennial). Most recently he has shown in New York, Portland, Baltimore, Brooklyn and Pittsburgh. He has also curated shows in Brooklyn, Queens, Seattle, and Gainesville and is one of the founding members of the artist-run space Ortega y Gasset Projects in Gowanus, and C for Courtside in Knoxville. He is a 2009 Tanne Foundation recipient, and a Hambidge Residency and V.C.C.A Fellow. Bienko is an Associate Professor in the School of Art at the University of Tennessee, where he teaches Drawing and Painting. “Who’s the G.O.A.T.? Jordan! Or maybe J.M.W. Turner. Yeah, Either Jordan or Turner.”

Lester Julian Merriweather (b. 1978) is a Memphis-based visual artist. He attended the Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture. He holds an MFA from Memphis College of Art and a BA from Jackson State University. Merriweather has exhibited extensively throughout the U.S. at various venues such as the Studio Museum (New York, NY), CAM (St. Louis, MO), TOPS Gallery, Crosstown Arts, and Powerhouse (Memphis, TN), Diverseworks (Houston, TX), Stella Jones Gallery (New Orleans, LA), and Atlanta Contemporary (Atlanta, GA). He has also exhibited internationally at the Zacheta National Gallery (Warsaw, Poland). Merriweather served as the first Curatorial Director of the Jones Gallery & the Martha & Robert Fogelman Galleries of Contemporary Art at the University of Memphis from 2010-2016. He worked on the Board of Directors for Number, Inc. independent journal where he created the Art of the South exhibition series. He is a founding member of the ArtsMemphis Artist Advisory Council and the artsAccelerator Grant Panel. He served as the Curatorial Consultant for the PPF Contemporary Art Collection (Memphis, TN). He is Emeritus for the Advisory Panel of TONE Memphis. Merriweather is participating in Multiplicity: Blackness in Contemporary American Collage. Originating at The Frist Art Museum (Nashville, TN), the exhibition travels to The Museum of Fine Arts (Houston, TX) and The Phillips Collection (Washington, D.C.).

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

This show is located within the unique architectural space of a narrow wooden stairwell.

A preview reception will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024 from 5:00—8:00 pm. Additionally, there will be another reception on Friday, July 19, 2024 from 5:00—8:00 pm (artist in attendance).

Michael Giles is a Venezuelan-American artist working primarily in painting and drawing. He has exhibited nationally including SITE: Brooklyn (Brooklyn, NY), Core New Art Space (Denver, CO), Channel To Channel (Nashville, TN), William King Museum (Abingdon, VA), Crosstown Arts (Memphis, TN), Walters State Community College, Carson Newman University, and Fluorescent Gallery (Knoxville, TN). Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, at the age of five he immigrated with his family to Baltimore, OH. He studied as part of the Reciprocal Exchange Program at Edith Cowan University (Perth, Australia, 1996) and received a BFA from The Ohio State University in 2000, and an MFA from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2007. He is currently an Associate Professor of Art at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN. He lives and works in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and son and various furry animals.

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

Join us on Friday, June 7th for the Opening Reception of 'Menagerie: A Solo Exhibition by Gared Luquet' from 5-8PM. Enjoy live music from SPNCE from 6-8PM. Free & open to the public, a cash bar will be available.
Gallery Hours: M-F 10AM-5PM

This exhibition, Menagerie, transcends the traditional portrayal of wildlife, mirroring the similarities in emotional expressions shared between human beings and animals in the modern world. Through this anthropomorphic lens, Luquet presents a playful nod to traditional portraiture, where surrealism interlaces with classic compositions, often with a subtle undertone of irony.

Gared Luquet is a Knoxville-based artist and muralist. His large-scale acrylic paintings transcend the traditional portrayal of wildlife, mirroring the similarities in emotional expressions shared between human beings and animals in the modern world. Through this anthropomorphic lens, Luquet presents a playful nod to traditional portraiture, where surrealism interlaces with classic compositions, often with a subtle undertone of irony. Additionally, his paintings contrast the interplay of man-made elements, such as the use of classic neon signs as backgrounds, in place of the animal's natural biome. Gared is a graduate of Pepperdine University where he majored in studio art with an emphasis in painting.

Dogwood Arts, 123 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

Join us this week for First Friday! Menagerie transcends the traditional portrayal of wildlife, mirroring the similarities in emotional expressions shared between human beings and animals in the modern world. Through this anthropomorphic lens, Luquet presents a playful nod to traditional portraiture, where surrealism interlaces with classic compositions, often with a subtle undertone of irony.
• Public Reception: July 5th from 5-8PM
• Exhibition on Display: June 7th - July 19th

About the Artist: Gared Luquet is a Knoxville-based artist and muralist. His large-scale acrylic paintings transcend the traditional portrayal of wildlife, mirroring the similarities in emotional expressions shared between human beings and animals in the modern world. Through this anthropomorphic lens, Luquet presents a playful nod to traditional portraiture, where surrealism interlaces with classic compositions, often with a subtle undertone of irony. Additionally, his paintings contrast the interplay of man-made elements, such as the use of classic neon signs as backgrounds, in place of the animal's natural biome. Gared is a graduate of Pepperdine University where he majored in studio art with an emphasis in painting.

Follow him on Instagram or visit his website: https://www.mywildmenagerie.com/

Dogwood Arts, 123 W. Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-637-4561, www.dogwoodarts.com

https://www.cevetjonesphotography.com/

Please stop by for amazing art and 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 June 7-28, 2024. As part of a special First Friday Block Party, a free gathering with the artists will take place on Friday, June 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM. Additionally, the night will feature more than 20 artist vendors and live music with The Merlin’s Nest and Nief-Norf faculty outside along the 100 Block of Gay Street, which will be open to pedestrians only from 4-10 PM between Jackson and Vine avenues.

I see the human creative process as a form of tangible meditation. Holding a piece of work in your hand is holding someone's time on this earth, their focus. My work represents years of study, a dance if you will, manipulation of a medium you can't touch with your bare hands until it is completely finished and cool. And that is what draws me in. My work is sculptural, exploring translation of our world.

Jo Marie Brotherton came to the glass world via stained glass in 1979. In the years since, she has learned to use a wide range of glass forms and techniques. As a student at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, she helped fabricate a stained-glass installation designed by Eric Ericson. She built windows for private collections as well as commercial use. She was also part of the team that built the 1980 World’s Fair stained glass at the L&N Station. By that time, Brotherton had started working for Knox Glass in Knoxville. She explored dalle de verre, sandblasting carving, hand beveling, painting, fusing, furnace work and lampwork. Eventually she became vice president of Knox Glass’s glass art department. In the nineties, Brotherton learned lampwork from Kim Adams and Gary Newlin. She felt especially drawn to working with hot glass at the torch, so after retirement in 2000, her creative urge in glass focused on lampwork. Although she has learned from many artists around the world, she is locally grown in her journey in glass and still lives in Knoxville. Brotherton built a studio behind her house and has opened it up to share with other artists and teach.

https://www.facebook.com/jo.m.brotherton

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. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Wednesday, June 19 for the holiday. 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 June 7-28, 2024. As part of a special First Friday Block Party, a free gathering with the artists will take place on Friday, June 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM. Additionally, the night will feature more than 20 artist vendors and live music with The Merlin’s Nest and Nief-Norf faculty outside along the 100 Block of Gay Street, which will be open to pedestrians only from 4-10 PM between Jackson and Vine avenues.

Photography by Tod Sheley on the North Wall
Being a partially blind / color blind photographer, I want to bring awareness to disabilities and arts. While I enjoy all styles of photography, street, reflection, concert, and nature photography are my favorites. I want my photography to demonstrate that just because a person has limitations, those limitations do not define who they are. To me, photography is healing.

Tod Sheley is a Knoxville-based photographer known most for his reflections and architecture. Inspired by years of traveling with his band and watching the streets of Knoxville grow along with him, he brings an uplifting and inspiring perspective to the stories of people and places. He is a father, a musician, a poet, and sometimes the investigative photographer with Knoxville Ghost Tours.

www.tsheleyphotography.com | Instagram @tsheleyphotography | www.facebook.com/tsheleyphotography

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. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Wednesday, June 19 for the holiday. 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 June 7-28, 2024. As part of a special First Friday Block Party, a free gathering with the artists will take place on Friday, June 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM. Additionally, the night will feature more than 20 artist vendors and live music with The Merlin’s Nest and Nief-Norf faculty outside along the 100 Block of Gay Street, which will be open to pedestrians only from 4-10 PM between Jackson and Vine avenues.

Michelle Carr: Transparent But Unseen in the Atrium
This collection of images offers multiple slow shutter speed captures of choreographed movement, depicting motion entangled with light and portraying the concept of the dance community transparency in Knoxville. The lack of support leaves the dance community feeling unseen at times. The romantic tutus and pointe shoes depicted amongst a variety of Knoxville backdrops show partial views of dancers that mimic the idea of being partially seen and unvalued in our Southern culture. Creating movement and an introspective look at women in dance through my lens has been a passion for me since the Pandemic when teaching and choreographing was not an option. I love creating images filled with grace, manipulation of light, and movement to bring awareness to dance in the Knoxville area.

Michelle Carr has been a Knoxville resident since 2008. She has 35 years of experience in ballet as both a professional dancer, instructor, and choreographer spanning Georgia, Colorado, and Tennessee. She has taught, danced and choreographed with Go! Contemporary Dance Works for the past fifteen years. She is currently a hand therapist at Ortho Tennessee, mom of three, and a grandmother of all girls. Carr embarked on her photography journey with the University of Tennessee's non-credit program in 2019. Enthralled by creating both on stage and behind the camera, she joined Buttermilk Sky Pie to aid in developing visual marketing material during the franchise's early stages. Recognizing the potential in merging her passions for dance and photography, she began experimenting with light and movement, leading to the creation of "What's The Pointe: Ballet in the Pandemic". Her photographic works have been displayed in various local galleries in Knoxville and have received accolades in dance-related and local photography contests. Michelle continues to pursue meaningful projects, such as "Four Seasons: The Vivaldi Project" symbolizing life's seasons, and "Discarded", offering an introspective look into society's perception of women, especially in the realm of dance.

Instagram @mcarrphoto | www.michellecarrphoto.com | www.michellecarrphoto.com/fine-art-prints

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. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Wednesday, June 19 for the holiday. 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 June 7-28, 2024. As part of a special First Friday Block Party, a free gathering with the artists will take place on Friday, June 7, from 5:00-9:00 PM. Additionally, the night will feature more than 20 artist vendors and live music with The Merlin’s Nest and Nief-Norf faculty outside along the 100 Block of Gay Street, which will be open to pedestrians only from 4-10 PM between Jackson and Vine avenues.

Fountain City Art Guild: Spring Show in the lower gallery
The Fountain City Art Guild will feature original art by nearly 30 local artists including oils, watercolors, woodworking, and more.

The Fountain City Art Guild began in 1979 as a group of women who met in the “Art Cellar” – the basement of Chloe Harrington’s home. At that time, most of the Guild members were watercolor artists. For several decades, they were known as the Fountain City Watercolor Guild, and they met in various churches and homes in the community, holding exhibitions in local businesses. In 2000, the Guild voted to allow other 2-D media in their exhibitions, and in 2015 members voted to allow nonfunctional 3-D work as well. In 2004, the Guild was instrumental in helping open the Fountain City Art Center at 213 Hotel Avenue, the location of the old Fountain City Library.

FCAG is currently a group of around 50 local artists who work in a variety of media. Guild membership is a juried process occurring in late fall and early spring. In addition to monthly meetings, the Guild also hosts exhibitions at local venues. The purpose of FCAG is to encourage public interest in and enjoyment of art. They encourage higher artistic standards in quality and workmanship, the exchange of ideas and new techniques, and strive to provide an atmosphere that encourages and inspires creativity.

www.fountain-arts.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. Please note, the Emporium will be closed on Wednesday, June 19 for the holiday. 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.