Calendar of Events

William Downs' artwork explores themes of ambiguity and distortion viewed through repetition and representation of the human body. His drawings reveal "feelings of anxiety, fear, joy, angst" or desire with compositions inspired by Cezanne that appear dream-like or otherworldly. He often depicts "people who train their bodies to do inhuman things like run a marathon or bend and contort their bodies," in surreal-like, panoramic scenes. Multiple figures are layered with warped perspective, creating contrasting areas of compositional ambiguity and sharp focus.

He received a BFA in Painting and Printmaking from the Atlanta College of Art and Design and a multidisciplinary MFA from the Mount Royal School of Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art. His awards include Artadia, The Working Artist Project at Museum of Contemporary Art GA, and The Nellie Mae Rowe Fellowship at Hambidge Creative Residency Program. His work has been included in national shows with Art AIDS America and Black Pulp! curated by Mark Thomas Gibson and William Villalongo. Downs has exhibited at venues nationally and abroad including: Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, MO; Zuckerman Museum of Art, Kennesaw, GA; Slag Gallery, NYC; International Print Center, NYC; The Contemporary Art Museum at the University of South Florida, Tampa; the African American Museum, Philadelphia, PA; Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts at the University of Alabama, Birmingham; the Century Gallery in London; and Derek Eller Gallery, NYC. His work is held in collections such as The High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA; The Birmingham Museum of Art, AL; and The Smithsonian Museum of Art, Washington, D.C.

This lecture is free and open to the public. Art and Architecture Building , McCarty Auditorium, Room 109
1715 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37996
https://www.facebook.com/events/1389715768403279/

The UAB October events are so good - it's scary. This month, join us for book club nights, author events, and more! Continue reading for a not-so-haunting selection of upcoming events!

Book Lovers Night
This event will take place on October 1 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Lakeshore Park. This is a free event.

Spooky Kids' Book Club
This event will take place on October 5 at 9:00am at our bookstore. This is a free event.

Ron Rash
This event will take place on October 4 at 6:00pm at East Tennessee History Center. This is a free event. Space is limited! RSVP to secure your spot.

Storytime Saturdays
This event will take place on October 5 at 11:00am at Lawson McGee Library. This is a free event.

Poetry Night
This event will take place on October 10 at 6:00pm at the bookstore. This is a free event. Please RSVP so we know to expect you!

Jared Sullivan
This event will take place on October 17 at 6:00pm at the East Tennessee History Center. This is a free event. Please RSVP so we know to expect you!

24 Tales: an Anthology Reading
This event will take place on October 27 at 3:00pm at the bookstore. This is a free event. Please RSVP so we know to expect you!

Clare Gilmore
This event will take place on October 29 at 6:00pm at the bookstore. This is a free event. Please RSVP so we know to expect you!

Union Ave Books, 517 Union Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Information: 865-951-2180, www.unionavebooks.com