Calendar of Events

BY LILIANA PADILLA
THE LAB THEATRE

College students come together for a DIY self-defense workshop after a sorority sister is assaulted. A sharp, witty, funny, and ferocious play that explores how “not to be a victim,” and how to use your body as a weapon. The classes become a channel for rage, trauma, confusion, anxiety and desire. The play explores the way sexual assault steals your sense of belonging, and how these women might get that back.

Clarence Brown Theatre, 1714 Andy Holt Ave on the UT campus, Knoxville, TN 37996. For information/tickets: 865-974-5161, www.clarencebrowntheatre.com

By Bernard Pomerance
Directed by Sarah Campbell

The Elephant Man is based on the life of John Merrick, who lived in London during the latter part of the nineteenth century. A horribly deformed young man – the victim of rare skin and bone diseases – he becomes the star freak attraction in traveling sideshows. Found abandoned and helpless, he is admitted to London’s prestigious Whitechapel Hospital. Under the care of celebrated young physician Frederick Treves, Merrick is introduced to London society and slowly evolves from an object of pity to an urbane and witty favorite of the aristocracy and literati, only to be denied his ultimate dream – to become a man like any other.

Performances are Thu-Sat 7:30 PM and Sun 3 PM

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

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

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.

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/

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

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

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.

Every Wednesday, May 1 – November 20, 10 am – 1 pm
Market Square in downtown Knoxville

Every Saturday, May 4 – November 23, 9 am – 1 pm
Market Square, Union Avenue, and Market Street in downtown Knoxville

The Market Square Farmers’ Market is an open-air farmers’ market managed by Nourish Knoxville. Everything at the Market Square Farmers’ Market is grown, raised, and/or made by our vendors within a 150-mile radius of Knoxville, Tennessee. Products vary by season and include fresh fruits & vegetables, eggs, honey, pasture-raised meats, edible & ornamental plants, cut flowers, bread & baked goods, jams & jellies, coffee, artisan crafts, and more! We offer SNAP & SNAP Doubling services every Wednesday and Saturday, and Nourish Kids – a free kids activity on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

https://www.nourishknoxville.org/market-square-farmers-market/

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 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

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/