Calendar of Events

Friday, November 1, 2024

Arrowmont: Tennessee Craft Best of Tennessee Craft 2024 Biennial

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

Juror Anna Fariello selected the artworks for this exhibition, and we are excited to share these 71 remarkable craft artworks, ranging from traditional forms to cutting-edge conceptual pieces, representing artists from Memphis to Johnson City.

An artist reception will be held on Friday, December 13th, where member artists, art collectors & craft enthusiasts from across the state are invited to celebrate the exemplary craft created by 63 Tennessee artists.

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

TVUUC Gallery: Three Dames & Greg Howser exhibition

  • October 6, 2024 — December 4, 2024

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 11, 2024, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Artist talks at 6:30 p.m.

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

The Three Dames
In the spirit of camaraderie and creativity, Linda Blair, Marcia Shelly and Cheryl Massey come together to exhibit their work. Blair said, “We each lean toward water media, which naturally allows our work to be a cohesive display.” They have exhibited throughout East Tennessee in venues including the Emporium, Plateau Art Gallery (Crossville), Tomato Head restaurants, Awaken Coffee, and Good Samaritan of Crossville.


Greg Howser
Greg Howser is attracted to the exquisiteness of creatures. His work serves as surrogates created from experiences growing up as a Southerner. He creates Märchen narratives about people, places and legends based on local, regional and personal lore. The subjects are anthropomorphic animals or the human form layered with symbolically rich objects commonly found in fairytales. Howser teaches at East Tennessee State University and Northeast State Community College. He is a board member of the Art Depot of Abingdon, Virginia and has exhibited throughout the United States. He has worked in private collections as well as public, international collections.

Relay Ridge Gallery: Prints and Prose: An Ode to Southern Appalachia

  • October 4, 2024 — November 8, 2024

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

An exhibition celebrating Southern Appalachian artists and authors. Opening reception will take place on First Friday Oct 4th, 6-9pm.

The First Friday event will also host 8 open artist studios, poetry readings by Chelsie Nunn and Jazmin Witherspoon, and live printing with Relay Ridge merch. The exhibition will be up October 4th - November 8th, 2024, on view during public events or by appointment.

Relay Ridge, 4124 McKinley St, Knoxville. https://relayridge.org/ and https://www.instagram.com/relay_ridge/

Pearl City Holdings & Historic Downtown Clinton: Pop Up Christmas Markets

  • October 3, 2024 — December 21, 2024

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Festivals, special events, Fine Crafts and Free event

Historic Downtown Clinton, along with Pearl City Holdings, is hosting a one-of-a-kind indoor Christmas pop up market every Thursday-Saturday in October, November, and December.
At 341 Market Street
https://www.historicdowntownclinton.org/about

Oak Ridge Art Center: 56th Annual Open Show

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

The Oak Ridge Art Center's Open Show is a juried mixed-media exhibition open to all artists. It is intended to showcase exceptional work produced throughout our region. Over $4,000 in awards are available. The 2024 juror will be David Underwood, Professor of Art and Director of Exhibitions at Carson­ Newman University.

Oak Ridge Art Center, 201 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Hours: Tu-F 9-5, Sa-M 1-4. Information: 865-482-1441, www.oakridgeartcenter.org

The Eclectic Cleric: Sacred Story Studio

  • September 27, 2024 — December 27, 2024

Category: Free event, Health, wellness and Meetup

Fridays, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.; Sequoyah Hills, Knoxville

The Sacred Story Studio seeks to cultivate a deep reverence for sacred texts while encouraging a rigorous yet open-minded approach to spiritual learning. It is a place where the mind, body, and spirit engage in a harmonious pursuit of wisdom and understanding.

Imagine a serene, non-denominational space dedicated to the study of sacred texts, blending the contemplative atmosphere of a reading room (Bet Midrash) with the immersive environment of a dojo, Zendo, or yoga class. The Sacred Story Studio is a tranquil, analog space where individuals from all walks of life – seekers and heretics, bards and prophets – gather to engage with sacred texts from a variety of religious and spiritual traditions. This unique center offers an environment that encourages deep, meditative learning, rigorous mental and spiritual discipline, and a sense of community.

Students and teachers present, share, discuss and read together (in havruta) from Texts of Enduring Worth (as most broadly defined): Gilgamesh and Psalms, John Coltrane and The Vedas, William Shakespeare and Seneca, Attar’s “Conference of the Birds” and T. S. Eliot’s “Four Quartets,” painting by Helen Frankenthaler and Frida Kahlo, essays and stories of James Baldwin, films of Pedro Almodóvar and Akira Kurosawa.

Sacred Story Studio incorporates practices like meditative reading, where students learn to internalize passages with focus and intention, or guided reflection sessions, akin to meditation, as well as open forums where ideas and interpretations are exchanged in a respectful, disciplined manner, without fear of cancellation.
https://www.eclecticcleric.com/sacred-story-studio

Rabbi Alon C Ferency is the “Eclectic Cleric” who believes creativity is a spiritual adventure. Learn more and book a free 30-minute inspiration consultation at https://www.eclecticcleric.com/consultations

Knoxville Museum of Art: Jo Sandman/TRACES

Category: Exhibitions, visual art and Free event

Knoxville Museum of Art (KMA) is thrilled to launch an exciting new schedule of exhibitions, beginning with Jo Sandman/TRACES, opening to the public on August 23, 2024. The public is warmly invited to the opening reception that Friday from 6:00-9:00 pm. A special Members-Only hour will take place from 6:00-7:00 pm, with a talk by Alice Sebrell, curator of TRACES, at 6:15. Attendees can expect to enjoy summer refreshments, a signature cocktail, and a special musical performance by Rubens Ghenov. The event is free and open to the public, with a cash bar.

Jo Sandman is celebrated for her restless curiosity, sparked by her time at Black Mountain College, and expressed through her experimentation with various imagery, materials, and processes. For more than seventy years, she fearlessly explored an interdisciplinary mix of painting, drawing, experimental sculpture, installation, and photography. Close examination of this work reflects Sandman’s desire to try anything in pursuit of her ideas. TRACES, organized by the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, Asheville, NC, offers viewers a rare opportunity to experience the evolution of the artist’s journey over multiple decades.

"We are honored to present Jo Sandman's TRACES at the Knoxville Museum of Art," said KMA Executive Director Steven Matijcio. "Her unique artistic vision and profound impact on the art world make this exhibition a must-see for art enthusiasts and the broader community alike."

For additional information and updates, follow the Knoxville Museum of Art on social media:
Facebook: Knoxville Museum of Art, Instagram: @knoxvillemuseumofart, X: @knoxart

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.

McClung Museum: Coming into View: Oil Paintings from the Permanent Collection

Category: Exhibitions, visual art, Free event and History, heritage

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

WDVX: Blue Plate Special & The Big Plate

Category: Free event, Kids, family and Music

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

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